Senate names two new members of Oregon Transportation Commission
The all-powerful, five-member Oregon Transportation Commission has two faces as the state faces major financial crises.
oregon transportation commission
ODOT’s plans to change budget process ruffles local feathers
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and their policy-making arm the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) have proposed sweeping changes to how the state allocates transportation dollars and who gets to decide how those dollars are spent. The proposals come with a short timeline and advocates and elected officials in the region want several key changes … Read more
Remembering Gail Achterman
Gail Achterman speaking at the Oregon Bike Summit in April 2008. She died Saturday afternoon.(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland) Gail Achterman, known and respected by many for her role in setting Oregon transportation policy, died this afternoon after a bout with pancreatic cancer. She was 62 years old.
Race heats up for top spot on Oregon Transportation Commission
ODOT headquarters in Salem.(Photo © J. Maus) The Oregon Transportation Commission is where the rubber meets the road and path when it comes to setting transportation policy in Oregon. This powerful group plays a key role in framing the discussion about transportation priorities in our state and they also hold the purse strings when it … Read more
Chair of Oregon Transportation Commission resigns due to health reasons
Achterman speaking at the 2008 Oregon Bike Summit.(Photos © J. Maus) Gail Achterman is stepping down from her role as Chair of the Oregon Transportation Commission due to health reasons. The announcement came via email from Director of ODOT Matt Garrett yesterday, who said Achterman, “has significant health issues that require her full attention and … Read more
Legislature appoints two new members to Oregon Transportation Commission
Tammy Baney The Oregon Transportation Commission, an influential group appointed by the Governor to establish state transportation policy, will welcome two new members at the end of this month. Legislators in Salem voted yesterday to approve the nominations of Mark Frohnmayer and Tammy Baney. Frohnmayer is the son of former University of Oregon President David … Read more
It’s official, Portland nabs nearly $3 million for biking/walking projects
The great news we reported last month is now official: The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) announced yesterday that they’ve received $2.96 million from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for two projects that will vastly improve biking and walking conditions in North and East Portland. The Portland projects are two out of 27 that … Read more
Follow-up: TriMet to get $4.5 million in ODOT Flex Funds
Earlier this month, TriMet — in a last-ditch effort to fill the local funding gap in their $1.5 billion Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project — put in a request for a 10-year, $19 million funding commitment from the State of Oregon. Artist rendering of Portland-Milwaukie light rail line. The request raised serious concerns with transportation officials … Read more
BTA urges against state Flexible Funds for TriMet light rail project
“We strongly urge that the state look to other sources for funding this vital project.” — BTA’s Rob Sadowsky in a letter to the Oregon Transportation Commission Last week we shared the news that TriMet is making a major funding request for ODOT’s $21 million pot of Federal Flexible Funds. The request is for a … Read more
ODOT charts course for a non-highway future
Gail Achterman at the 2008 Oregon Bike Summit.(Photo © J. Maus) The Oregon Transportation Commission is like the Jedi Council when it comes to setting statewide transportation policy. Its members are appointed by the governor and they have tremendous influence over funding, setting direction and priorities, and a host of other decisions that have a … Read more
ODOT/OTC release stimulus funds application, process details
“The OTC also recognizes the need to balance highway needs with other modal needs.”— From a statement released by ODOT today The Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC), acting on behalf of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), has announced the application process and more details on how they’ll allocate their remainder of federal stimulus funds. The … Read more
Who’s deciding where our state’s stimulus money goes?
OTC Commissioners: Gail Achterman Michael Nelson Janice Wilson Alan Brown David Lohman See photos/bios below Now that it’s crunch-time for the Oregon Department of Transportation and their Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) to decide on how to spend the infrastructure chunk of our federal stimulus money, I thought you might want to know a little more … Read more
Comment of the Week: We need more public restrooms downtown