Smoother Road Ahead: Two Transportation Measures Pass in Oregon

Transit and safe streets will get a boost thanks to the passage of two measures on the May 2016 ballot, making it easier and safer for Oregonians to get around. OEC was proud to endorse both of these measures, and we are celebrating their success!

In Southern Oregon, voters said YES to 15-141, which provides funding to restore and expand bus service in Ashland, Medford, Central Point, Jacksonville, Talent, Phoenix and White City. Given that the state of Oregon only contributes 3% to local transit operations (compared with an average state contribution of over 24% nationally), local measures like these are essential for keeping critical public transportation services running. Research shows that businesses, communities and our environment thrive when public transportation does too. We applaud the team at Rogue Valley Transit Now on their success, and we hope it can be a source of inspiration for other Oregon communities that value the many benefits transit brings.

In Portland, voters approved a measure to invest in critical street repairs. Not only will this measure address potholes, but also make our streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists through improvements to crosswalks and sidewalks on busy intersections and near bus, light rail stations and schools. We applaud the team at Fix Our Streets Portland for educating residents about the importance of this measure.

Both of these measures had the support of a broad range of stakeholders. Parents, business owners, civic leaders, affordable housing advocates, educational institutions and environmental organizations like ours came together to say that safe and vibrant transportation matters to Oregonians.

Want to learn more about how you can lend your voice for Oregon? Sign up here for our Grassroots Action and Information Network! Receive action alerts, lobby day invitations, volunteer opportunities and more.

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Join Us This Summer at the Transportation Roadshow!

State legislators are hosting a 12-stop statewide listening tour this summer on major transportation issues. We need your voice! Our transportation system should be safer, greener, better maintained, and more affordable for all Oregonians. Your testimony during these public hearings will impact how legislators shape the future of our transportation infrastructure! Your participation will also help OEC deliver stronger climate-smart legislation

June 3, 2024, 12:42 pm

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Transportation Program Director – POSITION FILLED

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Oregon’s Report Card: The Urgent Need for Transportation Investment

Everyone deserves the right to safe, accessible, climate-friendly transportation options. And everyone deserves to arrive at their destination safely, regardless of their transportation choice. Yet the need for investments in transportation safety could not be more urgent as this year’s back-to-school season is met with a 40-year peak in pedestrian deaths, nationwide.

September 21, 2023, 11:42 am

jacqui

Climate Champion: Governor Brown’s Legacy and the Path Ahead

A few years ago, the prospect of Oregon taking meaningful action on climate was dim. Republicans had just fled the capital to prevent the elected majority of state leaders from moving forward with a vote (a tactic now widely condemned by Oregon voters via Measure 113), effectively

February 14, 2023, 7:04 pm

noraaoeconline-org

Investing in a Better Transportation Future

Oregon is receiving more than a billion dollars from the federal government through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This money will be allocated to projects around the state by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), under the direction of the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC). The OTC

February 4, 2022, 9:54 pm

saraw

Building Bridges: Connections Between Communities, Climate, and Equitable Transportation

The Columbia River between Washington and Oregon has been significant for transportation around the region for thousands of years, with people moving along and across the river to meet their needs, make a living, and connect across communities. The I-5 bridge between Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon, is currently at the center of a regional conversation about transportation, connectedness, and community needs.

August 10, 2021, 8:19 pm

saraw