New I-5 Bridge tolls may hit $20

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Bob Ortblad, a retired civil engineer and University of Washington master’s degree scholar explained on KATU-Tv news “The Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) program’s financial projections are overly optimistic and fail to account for a looming $1 billion shortfall. With costs likely to hit $9.4 billion by 2025 and limited state and federal funding, tolls could soar to an unsustainable $20 per crossing, placing a heavy burden on commuters.”

$20-an-hour?

This is much higher than one estimate a few years ago at $8.

This comes as the Oregon Legislature just passed House Bill 2931 which authorizes tolling on the I-5 Bridge replacement project.

House Bill 2931 explanation reads “The measure establishes the Interstate 5 Bridge Toll Account for construction of the project and outlines uses of moneys in that Account. The measure clarifies statutes related to collection of tolls and authorizes the Department of Transportation to impose civil penalties for failure to pay imposed tolls and allows ODOT to enter into agreements with other governments and units of state government to enforce payment of tolls.”

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