Here’s the fallout from Kotek’s decision to stop all tolling, as well as a history of promises made and then broken about tolling.

A couple of things I took from this article:

  • Oregon has reduced GHG emissions for most sectors except transportation
  • Tolling was part of the plan to reduce transportation emissions
  • Tolling on the I-5 Bridge will drastically reduce traffic on it, which obviates the need for more lanes
  • Only tolling on I-5 while leaving 205 free creates huge issues
  • The state was counting on tolling money for all of its projects, so car dependence is hurting car dependence, which is a small silver lining