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| Welcome |
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ODOT Director Matt Garrett
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Dear Oregonians,
Welcome to the Oregon Department of Transportation’s 2010 Key Facts, aimed at providing you with essential information about Oregon’s transportation system. Over the past two years, we’ve experienced an economic situation throughout our state that has touched nearly every aspect of life, including the transportation system. Still, as director of ODOT, I’m proud of what we are accomplishing everyday – all of us, working together. For example, in 2009, we experienced the lowest number of fatalities on our highways since the 1940s. That’s great news, but it means there is work still to be done. I encourage you to find out more about your department of transportation in these pages as well on our website.
In addition to information about transportation safety, legislative programs, and project accomplishments, this booklet includes:
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An overview of revenues and expenses.
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A summary of our performance measures.
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Driver and motor vehicle transactions.
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Key data for planners and stakeholders.
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Descriptions of motor carrier activity, freight movement, passenger rail and public transit programs.
Key Facts also shows how investments in Oregon’s transportation infrastructure continue to benefit the state and its people. ODOT and its private-sector partners have placed a priority on:
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Completing projects efficiently and safely.
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Keeping Oregon "open for business," ensuring people, goods and services keep moving as construction volume increases on our roadways.
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Involving and growing Oregon firms and employees to benefit the entire state.
Wherever you go in Oregon, I encourage you first to visit our popular road conditions website, www.TripCheck.com and "know before you go." On behalf of the dedicated ODOT employees throughout the state, thank you for your interest in transportation — and please drive safely.
Matthew L. Garrett
Director
Oregon Department of Transportation
Download the entire Key Facts 2010 booklet (PDF 5MB), or view sections of the booklet below.
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| About ODOT |
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Transportation in Oregon
Transportation touches nearly every aspect of life. Whether traveling by train, plane, boat, car or truck, bus, bicycle or on foot, Oregonians — and visitors — rely in one way or another on a safe and reliable transportation system. In Oregon, the transportation system is a multi-billion dollar investment in the people, the environment and the state we call “home.”
The parts of the system
Transportation facilities owned and operated by the State of Oregon include:
- Interstate and state highways.
- State-owned airports.
- Two short-line railroad tracks and rights of way.
Other Oregon transportation systems include:
- City streets and county roads.
- Public roads on federal lands.
- Ferries.
- Public transit systems.
- Commercial and general aviation airports.
- Freight railroads and intercity passenger rail service.
- Marine ports and navigation.
- Non-motorized transportation.
How we work together
Oregon is uniquely positioned as a gateway to the global economy with our accessible ports, multiple shipping options, and desirable exports, such as agricultural products and semiconductors. Because of this:
- Maintaining transportation connections among ports, airports, intermodal centers, industrial centers, agricultural regions and manufacturing locations is critical to Oregon’s economy and people.
- Reducing congestion is vital to the economy and the environment. Congestion often results in higher prices for consumer goods, lower wages for workers and less income for businesses, while also increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Giving people and businesses options for transportation supports Oregon’s way of life. When businesses look to relocate, they consider the transportation system; when people want to move, change jobs, or purchase a home, they consider transportation as one of the key influencing factors. By reducing congestion and creating options, Oregon offers notable advantages to residents, businesses and visitors alike.
How we are making it better!
- Investments in transportation infrastructure improve safety, support Oregon businesses, provide jobs, and infuse communities with funding for strategic improvements.
- Oregon has several initiatives that have provided support to communities and will provide more support in the near future, such as the 2009 Jobs and Transportation Act and the ConnectOregon III program.
- Oregon is a leader in incorporating a sustainable approach into planning, building and maintaining the transportation system.
- Innovative efforts are helping reduce Oregon’s dependence on fossil fuel, such as the Oregon Solar Highway (the nation’s first solar photovoltaic project in the highway right of way), and the Nissan/eTec electric vehicle initiative, aimed at supporting consumer adoption of electric vehicles.
ODOT invites you to learn more about Oregon's transportation system.
Agency Organization
Download a printable version of this information (pdf)
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| Key Initiatives in Transportation |
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Oregon is in the midst of several important initiatives aimed at preserving and improving the state’s transportation system: the Jobs and Transportation Act; ConnectOregon; the Oregon Transportation Investment Act; and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; as well as the ongoing Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (also known as STIP).
2009 Jobs and Transportation Act
The Oregon Jobs and Transportation Act (JTA) is the state’s largest long-term investment in transportation infrastructure ever. The JTA:
- Raises an estimated $300 million annually for Oregon’s transportation system.
- Invests strategically in all transportation sectors: airports, bridges, city streets, county roads, marine ports, mass transit, railroads and state highways.
- Helps private contractors keep thousands of Oregonians employed.
Key elements
- Makes a major permanent investment in continuing highway maintenance and safety — about $45 million each year.
- Provides a total of more than $100 million each year to Oregon cities and counties to maintain and improve local street systems.
- Will invest nearly $1 billion in 37 projects throughout Oregon to relieve key bottlenecks and address safety concerns.
- Contains a third ConnectOregon program, providing $100 million in lottery-backed bonds for multimodal investments.
- Contains directives to enhance accountability to the public and increase environmental stewardship.
- Creates permanent programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector.
- Includes several programs to test innovative approaches to reducing costs:
- A highway maintenance pilot.
- A rest area management pilot.
- A process for co-locating facilities.
Funding
The JTA is funded in several ways:
- DMV fee increases that took effect Oct. 1, 2009.
- Motor carrier fee increases that took effect Jan. 1, 2010.
- Gas/diesel tax increases that will be effective Jan. 1, 2011.
ConnectOregon III
In 2005, 2007, and as part of the Jobs and Transportation Act in 2009, the Oregon Legislature approved a program called ConnectOregon. It is a major funding initiative targeted at multimodal (or non-highway) transportation in Oregon. Each initiative — I, II and III — provides $100 million for air, rail, marine and public transit infrastructure. ConnectOregon leverages the significant investments in the highway network (such as OTIA I, II and III) and the ongoing Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.
ConnectOregon is a lottery-backed bond initiative focused on improving the connections between the components of a whole transportation system by improving the flow of commerce and easing delays in travel. It is a “fast-track” program, aimed at getting funds into communities to infuse the economy and build transportation options.
Applications from public, private and joint organizations are reviewed by ODOT staff, advisory commissions, modal committees and stakeholders. The OTC approved ConnectOregon III projects in August 2010.
Oregon Transportation Investment Act
The Oregon Transportation Investment Act (OTIA), a series of funding packages passed in 2001-2003, was the largest investment in transportation in Oregon in 50 years. OTIA:
- Raised $2.96 billion for highway and bridge construction work through 2013.
- Used revenue from truck and automobile title and registration fees to finance the sale of construction bonds.
By the numbers
- OTIA I and II provided $500 million to add lane capacity, build new interchanges, fix state-owned highway bridges, fix city- and county-owned bridges, and repave state highways and local roads and streets.
- As of May 31, 2010, all of the OTIA I and II funds were expended, and 96 percent of the projects were complete and open to traffic.
- OTIA III provided $2.46 billion to repair or replace 365 state highway bridges and 141 city- and county-owned bridges, repave city streets and county roads, and modernize and add capacity to state highways.
- As of April 30, 2010, of the 365 bridges in the OTIA III state bridge program:
- 277 have been completed, are open to traffic or require no additional work.
- 69 are currently under construction.
- 19 will start construction within the next two years.
- About 14 family-wage jobs are sustained for every $1 million spent on transportation construction in Oregon.
- Between 2009 and 2011, the OTIA III bridge program expects to sustain an average of just under 2,500 jobs per year. Overall, the 10-year bridge program will sustain an annual average of approximately 2,300 jobs.
Investing in Oregon
- OTIA projects are added to the STIP — the state’s ongoing program for funding and scheduling construction of transportation projects and programs around the state.
- The design and construction of OTIA III projects are outsourced to the private sector, based on direction from the legislature and the governor, in order to stimulate Oregon’s economy. ODOT’s focus remains on providing efficient, effective overall management of the state’s transportation system.
- Based on current estimates, in the OTIA III bridge program, about 85 percent of expenditures have gone to Oregon firms.
- In 2010, its seventh year, the OTIA III bridge program remains on schedule to complete repairs and replacements by 2013.
- When finished, OTIA projects will continue to strengthen our economy by helping people and products move safely and more efficiently.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
In February 2009, the federal government created the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, authorizing $470 million to preserve and improve Oregon’s highways, transit systems, rail, bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure and related projects. ARRA required that funds be obligated on fast-paced schedule, and ODOT met that requirement, identifying “shovel-ready” projects and disseminating funds as quickly as possible to communities around the state.
By the numbers
- 198 transportation-related projects were selected; all funds were obligated by March 1, 2010 so that the state did not lose any funds.
- Safety improvements on U.S. 26 in Portland marked the first ARRA project to begin construction.
- Paving 600 lane miles of state highways with ARRA funds is improving the system’s condition and safety while reducing wear and tear on vehicles.
- As of June 1, 2010, Oregon received $494.8 million in ARRA funding for surface transportation, of which $334 million was highway program funding divided among ODOT and local governments.
- About 52 percent of the state’s total ARRA funding has been invested in highways, while the remainder has been invested in multimodal improvements.
- Urban transit districts received $61.2 million in formula grant funding and small town and rural transit districts received $14.6 million in formula funds, distributed by ODOT.
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| Oregon's Transportation System |
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Oregon's transportation system is the backbone of our economy and quality of life. Learn about the components (pdf) of the state's vital transportation system including accomplishments, statistics and more:
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| Investments in Oregon's Livability |
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Oregon Innovative Partnerships Program
In 2003, the Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Innovative Partnerships Program, giving it broad authority to explore public/private partnerships that would benefit the state and its people. Goals include accessing development capital from private sources; engaging entrepreneurial approaches to project development; and accelerating project delivery.
Unique elements benefit Oregon
- Partnerships allow private sector partners to enter transportation project development early in the process and exempts the program from most requirements of the state procurement law so partners can be selected based on a best value rather than lowest bid.
- It provides for formation of special funding districts to raise revenues for transportation projects within the district.
- It authorizes bonding of transportation project revenue under a public-private agreement.
Completed projects feature innovation
Road User Fee Task Force and Pilot Program
A mileage fee pilot, conducted in Portland and released in November 2007, showed the “Oregon Mileage Fee Concept” is feasible as an alternative revenue collection system for replacing the gas tax as the fundamental way the state pays for road work. Refinements are required, however, and a new pilot will test an “open system” for electronic collection of mileage fees. It addresses the pilot’s first concerns and with motorist choice built into the next system, ODOT hopes to achieve sufficient public acceptance and an electronic mileage fee collection system that can evolve as technology does.
The Solar Highway Demonstration Project
Completed in 2008, this project involved installing privately-owned solar on public rights of way at the I-5/I-205 interchange, through an arrangement that allows ODOT to purchase renewable energy at no more cost than regular power. The successful project has received national and international awards and attention and has set the stage for more clean, renewable energy projects.
Future projects light the way
- Additional solar highway projects — a 1.3 megawatt installation at the Baldock rest area south of the city of Wilsonville; a 3 megawatt installation south of the City of West Linn; and full build out of the demonstration project would increase ODOT’s use of green power.
- Pilot program for outsourcing highway maintenance — development and implementation of a six-year pilot program to contract for all maintenance activities on a 26.47 mile segment of Oregon 219 beginning at the community of Scholls, north of Newberg, and continuing south to the west side of I-5 near Woodburn.
- Electric vehicle charging network — establishing a network of charging stations for electric vehicles to encourage and accelerate private investment in the electric vehicle industry and consumer acceptance.
Office of Civil Rights, Workforce Development and Small Business Support
ODOT’s Office of Civil Rights includes programs for workforce development and small businesses, as well as labor compliance and equal opportunity, disadvantaged businesses, and environmental justice.
Workforce Development
- ODOT’s statewide Workforce Development program seeks to identify, recruit and train a new and larger qualified construction workforce, as well as build sustainable career opportunities for Oregon workers.
- Apprentice hours on highway construction projects with Workforce Development Program specifications grew an average of 7.6 percent over five years from 2005 – 2009.
Small Business Programs
- Emerging Small Business program: For July 2009 – July 2010, ODOT committed nearly $5.3 million to contracts for ESB firms. While the program is race and gender-neutral, it awarded contracts to a diverse group of bidders, and the program continues to recruit a wide variety of businesses:
- 1,895 businesses certified as ESB (majority of ESBs certified in types of work to qualify for work with ODOT)
- 511 qualified as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises
- 636 qualified as Minority-owned small businesses
- 1,094 qualified as Women-owned small business (Firms may qualify for certification in more than one category. Total firms certified in one or more categories: 2,995)
- During 2009 – 2011, ODOT has set aside more than 130 new projects with an estimated value of more than $6.5 million for exclusive bidding by Oregon firms with ESB designation.
- ODOT’s Small Contracting program: This program increases economic opportunities by allowing businesses to become prime contractors on smaller, more manageable transportation projects.
- The Small Contracting Program for Professional and Technical Services has awarded 78 contracts for a total of $4,735,683; two-thirds of the businesses registered in this program are disadvantaged, minority-owned, women-owned or emerging small businesses.
- The Small Contracting Program for Construction, aimed at diversifying the size of companies awarded ODOT construction contracts, has awarded 39 contracts for a total of $1,367,667.
Sustainability Program
The Oregon Department of Transportation is committed to making significant contributions toward sustainability in the transportation industry. In 2007, ODOT established a Sustainability Council that provides direction and advice for the overall Sustainability Program. Highlights include:
- ODOT was the first state agency in Oregon to have a comprehensive Sustainability Program and the first to develop a Sustainability Plan.
- ODOT’s Fleet Section uses of biodiesel, hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as other clean fuels. For example, ODOT plans to meet and sustain a 30 percent B-20 biodiesel use by the mid-2010.
- Conservation and Alternative Resource Teams (CART) are small “green teams” of employees at ODOT offices who help educate employees about work-related conservation efforts such as recycling, energy saving, and commuting options.
- ODOT’s Facilities Section employs sustainable practices as a part of its everyday operations, with activities such as installing energy-efficient lighting and windows, adding insulation, using programmable thermostats, and changing to white roofs to reduce energy costs in buildings as replacement is needed.
- The 2009 Oregon Legislature asked ODOT to work with other state agencies to write a Climate Change Strategy for the state of Oregon to decrease greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. ODOT will also be providing guidance and tools to local governments to help reduce emissions statewide.
Transportation Building Rehabilitation
The “T-Building,” located on the Capitol Mall in Salem, was designed in 1949 and completed in 1951. Maintenance has been consistent, but no major structural alterations have been done, making it the last building on the Capitol Mall substantially unchanged since its construction — and a building unable to withstand an earthquake.
- The 2010 Legislature authorized $64.7 million to rehabilitate the building.
- The building is being renovated to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. A cost-benefit study showed that when lifecycle impacts are considered, a high performance, environmentally-friendly renovation would save about $90 million over 20 years (compared to a market-rate renovation).
- Partner agencies are working with ODOT and its contractors to preserve historical aspects of the building.
- The rehabilitation is scheduled to be complete in 2012.
Oregon Wireless Interoperability Network
The 2010 Legislature approved moving the Oregon Wireless Interoperability Network (OWIN) project to ODOT. OWIN resulted from a legislative mandate to consolidate the state’s four existing major radio networks and create a statewide “system of systems” for mission critical, public safety communications. It also coincides with a mandate from the Federal Communications Commission to abandon wideband and switch all public safety radio systems to narrowband by 2012.
Radio systems operated by public safety agencies in jurisdictions around the state are often incompatible. OWIN will upgrade the existing state’s systems and include an interoperability layer, allowing emergency responders from different agencies and jurisdictions to communicate seamlessly and immediately.
- Phase I began with infrastructure construction west of the Cascades, including engineered sites covering 18 counties in western Oregon, where 80 percent of the population lives and works.
- OWIN has completed 680 miles of microwave pathways linking 28 sites and 54 microwave radio installations.
- By the time Phase IV is completed and the network is operational on the first day of 2013, all of Oregon will have a secure and reliable public safety communications network.
- It will involve more than 300 towers, both new and renovated, around the state.
- To accomplish these goals effectively and efficiently, OWIN has developed 43 partnership agreements with local and federal government organizations and commercial partners.
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| Transportation Funding |
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The money used to preserve, improve and operate Oregon’s road system comes from three main categories: 1) state funds; 2) federal funds; and 3) local (county and city) funds.
The State Highway Fund
The money raised by taxes and fees on the ownership, operation or use of motor vehicles or on the fuel they use is constitutionally dedicated in Oregon to the State Highway Fund. These funds, which come from the following sources, must be used on roads, bridges or rest areas:
- Driver license fees and fees relating to obtaining a driver license (covering the fixed costs of providing the highway system)
- $40–$154: issuance and renewal of driver license or commercial driver license with endorsements
- $23.50: instructional permits
- $5–$70: tests and special endorsements
- Registration and title fees (covering the fixed costs of providing the highway system)
- Registration fees
- $43 per year: cars and light vehicles
- $344–$764 per year: vehicles less than 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
- $375–$1,295: vehicles over 26,000 GVW
- Title fees
- $77: cars
- $90: heavy vehicles
- Fuel taxes (covering the travel-related costs of cars and other light vehicles)
- 24 cents per gallon (30 cents per gallon after January 1, 2011) of gasoline, diesel or equivalent natural gas or propane: vehicles less than 26,000 GVW
- Weight-mile taxes (covering the greater responsibility of trucks and other heavy vehicles — fees are based on weight and distance traveled) — effective Oct. 1, 2010
- 4.98 cents–23.04 cents per mile: vehicles between 26,001 and 105,500 GVW
- 7.1 cents per equivalent single axle mile: exceptional loads
The State Highway Fund is a shared revenue source. The net revenues from the taxes and fees listed above are distributed to the state, counties and cities using the formula below.
- State: 60 percent
- Counties: 24 percent, based on vehicle registrations
- Cities: 16 percent, based on population
The 2009 Jobs and Transportation Act will raise about $300 million per year in additional highway-related revenue to be distributed as follows:
- $3 million per year for the Travel Information Council for rest areas.
- $24 million per year to the state.
- The balance will be distributed as 50 percent state; 30 percent counties; and 20 percent cities.
Federal funds
There are two major sources of federal road revenue:
- The Federal Highway Trust Fund, which is shared by the state, counties and cities.
- Federal forest revenues, which are distributed to counties and earmarked for road purposes.
Local funds
City and county local road funds come from property tax levies, local fuel taxes, local improvement district assessments, traffic impact fees, bonds, general fund transfers, parking meters and fines, receipts from other local governments, and miscellaneous sources like fines, permit fees and private contributions.
More funding and budget information
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| Transportation Planning |
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The Oregon Transportation Commission is responsible for developing and maintaining a state transportation policy and a comprehensive long-range plan. The long-range plan, known as the Oregon Transportation Plan, provides for a safe, multimodal transportation system that encompasses economic efficiency, orderly economic development and environmental quality.
The Oregon Transportation Plan
- The Oregon Transportation Plan, the state’s transportation policy plan, was adopted in September 2006.
- It provides an overall vision of a balanced multimodal transportation system for Oregon, encompassing all modes of transportation regardless of ownership.
- The plan guides efforts to optimize the existing system and better integrate modes of transportation so they function as one safe, efficient system.
- Designed to respond to changing conditions and new technologies, the OTP sets overall investment strategies and priorities.
- It is broad in scope and general in nature and includes detailed policy direction and system planning via the modal and topic plans comprising the OTP.
The Oregon Highway Plan
- The OHP sets long-range policies and investment strategies for the state highway system.
- It emphasizes safety and efficient management of the highway system.
- The OHP also includes investment strategies that address available funding and explains how ODOT would invest future revenues.
- The 1999 Plan was republished, with amendments, in 2006.
The 1995 Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
- This plan describes laws, principles and policies that ODOT follows to provide bikeways and walkways along state highways.
- It provides design guidance to ODOT, cities and counties on good construction practices.
The Oregon Rail Plan
- This plan describes rail related laws and policies and provides an overview of Oregon’s freight and passenger systems.
- In 2010, ODOT will release a statewide study describing opportunities and challenges for both the freight and passenger rail system in Oregon. This study will serve as the foundation for updating the 2001 Oregon Rail Plan.
The Oregon Transportation Safety Action Plan
- This plan identifies a safety agenda to guide the state over the next 20 years and includes key actions aimed at improving transportation safety on Oregon’s highways.
- Adopted in 2004 and amended in 2006, the plan serves as the federally mandated Strategic Highway Safety Plan.
The 1997 Oregon Public Transportation Plan
- This plan covers intercity bus, passenger rail, urban fixed-route transit, small-city and rural transit, special-needs transportation, transportation demand management and light-rail needs.
Key elements of successful planning
- The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1962 required, as a condition for federal funding, that transportation projects in urbanized areas of 50,000 or more in population be based on a continuing, comprehensive, urban transportation planning process undertaken cooperatively by the states and local governments. This manifested itself as Metropolitan Planning Organizations, or MPOs. MPOs provide the Oregon Transportation Commission and elected officials with vital local transportation plans to help prioritize and schedule projects.
- Oregon also gathers input from local Area Commissions on Transportation (ACTs). These community groups meet regularly to develop and refine transportation plans.
- In addition to these locally-derived plans, there are a variety of facility plans that impact projects, including plans that cover all modes of transportation: cars, buses, trucks, trains, bicycles, pedestrians, airplanes, pipelines and ports.
- Facility plans also include transportation system plans and refinement plans such as interchange area management plans and access management plans.
- All of these plans and planning processes feature significant public involvement, as well as input from local, state, federal and ODOT officials, tribal representatives, transportation providers and other transportation stakeholders.
- Management systems are also used to evaluate proposals for transportation solutions, providing objective technical information for pavements, bridges, safety, congestion, public transportation, traffic monitoring and freight.
The 2007 Oregon Aviation Plan
- The OAP is a comprehensive look at Oregon’s aviation system and serves as a guide for system management and development.
- The OAP combines three different planning studies to assess the condition of existing aviation infrastructure, the economic benefit of aviation in Oregon, and the role and significance of each airport.
- The State Aviation Board adopted the OAP through its role in guiding the Oregon Department of Aviation.
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| Measuring ODOT's Performance |
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ODOT’s goals are linked to the State of Oregon’s long-range strategic vision called the Oregon Benchmarks — high-level indicators of qualify of life. These “Key Performance Measures ” help ODOT track progress and set goals for the future.
ODOT Performance Measure Web site
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| How do I... ? |
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Get answers to questions, offer comments, and express concerns about ODOT. Call Ask ODOT:
Ask ODOT is the citizens’ representative office, located in the Director’s Office, where you can find out who to talk to in the organization, register a complaint or offer a compliment, make a suggestion or find out more about a project, process or service.
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ODOT Transportation Development Division
Geographic Information Services Unit
555 13th St. N.E., Suite 2
Salem, OR 97301-4178
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(503) 986-3154
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