Transportation Challenges - Portland and Beyond

LWVPDX Podcasts

This is a podcast of a November 2023 webinar on some of the most urgent challenges facing transportation in Portland, Oregon, and the surrounding Metro area.

The panelists are:

• • Moderator: Chris Smith, a transportation policy expert and a long-time community volunteer. Chris explained how Portland’s transportation system fits into Metro regional transportation planning.
  • Millicent Williams, Director, Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) discussing funding concerns. Funding is a major challenge confronting multiple government transportation agencies. In part, this is due to less revenue from gas taxes. However, Portland also faces other revenue and expense concerns. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) must deal with this issue now as the City of Portland is developing budgets for its next fiscal year.
  • Zachary Lauritzen, Interim Executive Director, Oregon Walks, discussing transportation safety. Safety on, and alongside, our roads continues to be a difficult problem with consequences that can be deadly. Addressing safety concerns requires action by multiple agencies– not just the transportation sector.
  • Jana Gastellum, Executive Director, Oregon Environmental Council, discussing climate concerns. Transportation is Oregon’s largest source of carbon emissions, so it is an important factor in addressing climate concerns. Options to reduce driving and the transition to electric vehicles reduce gas tax revenues. This requires consideration of additional state-level funding approaches.