After passing in the Oregon House, the State’s Transportation Funding Bill HB 3991 will now go before the Oregon Senate on Sept. 17. This bill addresses major transportation-related funding issues and aims to resolve the imminent shortfall facing the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), counties, and cities.
If the bill fails to pass, ODOT is expected to lay off 400 people and cut 400 vacant positions statewide before October. The staffing cuts are expected to lead to a decrease in essential services such as snow and ice response, pothole repairs, pavement maintenance, roadway striping, litter pickup, and vegetation management. This will lead to a decline in roadway conditions, roadway safety, and an increase in wildfire risk.
If the bill fails to pass, Hood River County will re-evaluate critical services funded with State Highway Funds and will likely follow suit with layoffs and cuts to critical services consistent with the decisions being made at ODOT.
As winter approaches, Oregonians should expect slower and less frequent snow and ice removal. During storms, longer road closures are expected, and the reopening of roads will take more time.
To address these challenges, a proposed funding package aims to raise $4.3 billion over the next 10 years by raising the gas tax by 6 cents, increasing vehicle title and registration fees, and temporarily raising a statewide payroll tax for transit from 0.1% to 0.2%.
Hood River County’s Public Works Director Cori Wiessner has raised concerns about the effects of winter weather if HB 3991 fails to pass:
 Delays in snowplowing and emergency response. Lack of staffing will delay snowplowing, emergency personnel response times, and impact school, business and health care operations.
Deferred maintenance raises safety concerns. Regular maintenance such as vegetation removal, paving and sign replacement will be deferred leading to an increase in potholes and faded signs and stripes.Â
Vulnerability of Cascade Locks. The City of Cascade Locks could be cut off for periods if Interstate 84 is closed. The city has one small grocery store, and power is supplied by a single wholesaler. Without power, they won’t be able to refuel generators which are necessary for heating public buildings, including shelters.
 Dependence on truck-delivered supplies. All communities in the county rely on food and fuel delivered by truck. Prolonged closures of Interstate 84, Highway 26, and Highway 35 pose a significant risk to the area’s supply chain.
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