Oregon

Oregon governor wants tolling plan on 2 Portland-area freeways scrapped

Published

9 months ago

March 11, 2024

Oregon governor wants tolling plan on 2 Portland-area freeways scrapped

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek wants to scrap a plan to implement tolls on large sections of two Portland-area interstates, she said Monday.

Kotek sent a letter to the Oregon Transportation Commission on Monday saying the Regional Mobility Pricing Project for Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 should be halted, KGW-TV reported.

Kotek said in the letter that the “state’s path toward implementing tolling in the Portland metro area is uncertain, at best,” and that the challenges associated with the plan “have grown larger than the anticipated benefits.”

“Therefore, I believe it is time to bring the agency’s work on RMPP to an end,” she wrote.

In 2017, the state Legislature directed the Oregon Department of Transportation to start exploring tolling as a traffic congestion management tool that could be part of a major transportation funding package, but the plans have drawn increasing criticism as they’ve become clearer.

Kotek’s letter came a few weeks after a survey found a majority of Oregon voters opposed the Regional Mobility Pricing Project tolls, KOIN-TV reported.

The move also came after the Oregon Department of Transportation produced a report on the equity impacts of tolling and the agency’s plan to mitigate the impacts on low-income Portlanders. Kotek wrote in her letter that the report showed “a toll program which keeps toll rates low enough for working families and raises enough funding for major projects would fail to meet expectations for local project funding and revenue sharing.”

The state transportation agency is facing funding challenges because of a projected decline in revenue from the state’s gas tax, and Kotek said she expects the Legislature to tackle that issue in the 2025 session.

The governor said in the letter she is “confident that a more robust conversation on funding options will yield greater understanding and direction for our future moving forward.”

Oregon Transportation Commission Chair Julie Brown and Vice Chair Lee Beyer, as well as Oregon Department of Transportation Director Kris Strickler, all released statements later Monday suggesting they agree with Kotek.

Beyer said “metro leadership views on tolling have changed” and “local and regional opposition to tolling makes clear that Oregon is not ready for regional tolling.” Strickler said “it is clear the toll program cannot be designed in a way that meets the needs expressed by our local partners while also meeting the needs of Oregonians statewide.”

Brown said she looked forward to conversations about other funding sources but added that while she didn’t believe tolling should be the only tool to solve challenges, “as a steward of our state’s transportation system, I believe it should be one of our tools.”

Kotek said this move should not impact the planned collection of toll revenue on the interstate highway bridge between Oregon and Washington that’s set to be replaced as part of a multibillion-dollar project supported by federal funding.

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Oregon

Oregon Ducks’ Dan Lanning Gives Injury Update on Jordan Burch, Marcus Harper II, Tez Johnson

Published

5 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Press Room

Oregon Ducks’ Dan Lanning Gives Injury Update on Jordan Burch, Marcus Harper II, Tez Johnson

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks are on the precipice of completing their second undefeated regular season in school history, and as Duck fans begin to dust off their 2010 “12-O” t-shirts, Oregon coach Dan Lanning talked to the media in his weekly pregame press conference before the Ducks take on their rival the Washington Huskies. One of the biggest concerns coming off a late bye week is the injury status of certain star players. When asked about the current injury status of senior defensive end Jordan Burch and offensive lineman Marcus Harper II at the end of his presser, Lanning kept things brief.

“I think time will tell,” Lanning said. “Just like I’ve always told you guys, when guys are ready to be out there on the field we’ll see them.”

It’s a similar response from the one’s Lanning has given all season, not wanting to give too much away before kickoff. With their “next man up” mentality, both Burch and Harper’s positions have been temporarily filled by defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei and offensive linemen Dave Iuli and Kawika Rogers respectively.

Oregon defensive back Brandon Johnson celebrates a defensive touchdown after a fumble forced by Oregon defensive end Jordan Burch as the Oregon Ducks host the Maryland Terrapins at Autzen Stadium Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

One of the most positive signs on the injury front for the Ducks leading up to their rivalry game against the Huskies came from senior wide receiver Tez Johnson. Johnson, who suffered a right shoulder injury during Oregon’s win at Michigan on Nov. 2, posted an Instagram story Tuesday, Nov. 19 going into the bye weekend. Johnson also changed his Instagram profile picture from Dragon Ball Z character “Goku” in a healing cryo-chamber to a picture of himself kneeling on the field of Michigan’s “Big House” in the “Warp Speed” all-white Oregon jersey, implying he is back from recovery.

When asked about the injury during an earlier interview, Lanning avoided addressing Johnson’s social media activity. His response may seem familiar to the one given at his weekly presser.

“Yeah, I’m not going to talk about injuries,” Lanning said. “You guys will see them on the field when they’re ready to go.”

Harper, an essential piece to Oregon’s interior trench protection at right guard, left the Michigan game as well but during the fourth quarter with a left knee injury and has been out for almost the same amount of time as Johnson. Lanning stated later on that both Harper and Johnson’s injuries were not “as bad as maybe they appeared on the field.”

Oregon running back Noah Whittington (6) is lifted by offensive lineman Marcus Harper II (55) to celebrate a touchdown against Michigan during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As for Burch, he’s been in and out throughout the season, missing a total of four games. His first gap from play came during practice before Oregon’s win against Ohio State at Autzen Stadium. Burch went down with a foot injury. His second injury came against Maryland with an ankle issue and Burch has since missed Oregon’s win against Wisconsin.

Beyond these three athletes, the rest of Oregon’s injuries have been season-long. Offensive lineman transfer Matthew Bedford has missed the entire season with a left knee injury and has no promise to return even though he was expected to be a starter this season. Lanning has also confirmed wide receiver Kyler Kasper and defensive lineman My’Keil Gardner are both out indefinitely.

Oregon kicks off against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 4:30 p.m. PS.

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Oregon

Big Ten Power Rankings: Oregon Ducks Holding Off Ohio State Buckeyes for No.1 Spot

Published

13 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

Big Ten Power Rankings: Oregon Ducks Holding Off Ohio State Buckeyes for No.1 Spot

The Oregon Ducks had a bye over the weekend. They hold on to the top spot in the Big Ten Power Rankings even after Ohio States’ dominating performance over Indiana.

Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jordan James (20) rushes with the football during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks had a bye week as they get ready for their rivalry matchup vs. Washington on Saturday. The No.1 team in the land remains on top.

Next Game: 11/30 vs. Washington

Ohio State showed that are the clear cut No. 2 team in the Big Ten with their 38-15 win over Indiana. If Ohio State can beat Michigan next week, they will get another crack at Oregon in the Big Ten Title Game.

Next Game: 11/30 vs. Michigan

Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Penn State squeaked out a 26-25 win over Minnesota on the road. The Golden Gophers have been playing well, so this was not an easy game by any means. If the Nittany Lions can beat Maryland next week, they will likely be hosting a College Football Playoff home game in round one.

Next Game: 11/30 vs. Maryland

Indiana got a reality check on Saturday. They got throttled by Ohio State 38-15 and are clearly not on the level of the top teams in the Big Ten. However, if they win their final game vs. Purdue, they will be 11-1 and in a good position to get into the playoff.

Next Game: 11/30 vs. Purdue

The Illini have rebounded after their two game losing skid. Illinois has beaten Michigan State and Rutgers in back to back weeks. They have proven to be the fifth-best team in the Big Ten all season long.

Next Game: 11/30 at Northwestern

Nov 23, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton (28) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images / Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Year in and year out, Iowa is one of the most consistent teams in the country. The Hawkeyes have not finished below .500 in the regular season under coach Kirk Ferentz since 2000. Here they are again with 7 wins heading into the last week of the regular season.

Next Game: 11/29 vs. Nebraska

Minnesota is addicted to playing in one possession games. The Golden Gophers have played seven one-score games and have a record of 3-4 in those games. They are what their record says they are.

Next Game: 11/29 at Wisconsin

Washington had a bye this week. Can they shock the world at Oregon on Saturday? They have already clinched a bowl game berth under coach Jedd Fisch’s first year as a Husky.

Next Game: 11/30 at Oregon

USC defeated rival UCLA 19-13. The Trojans may be 6-5 on the season, but are 2-0 with Jayden Maiava at quarterback. They have avoided the complete disaster of missing out on a bowl game in 2024.

Next Game: 11/30 vs. Notre Dame

Nov 23, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Jordan Marshall (23) runs the ball on a kick off return against the Northwestern Wildcats in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Wolverines curb stomped Northwestern 50-6, and it got them back into the top ten. This is a very average football team, but their toughness and rushing attack allow them to beat up on inferior teams.

Next Game: 11/30 at Ohio State

Dropped from Rankings: Rutgers