State and Federal Losses Stack Up for ODOTs I-5 Rose Quarter Plan

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is in financial distress after the Oregon Legislature failed to approve a transportation funding package, resulting in layoffs and service cuts. ODOT intends to advance its $2. 1 billion Rose Quarter plan to expand and cap I-5 in Portland, despite facing significant financial uncertainties. The project has drawn public criticism for its environmental effects and its budget, which has ballooned to over four times its initial estimate. Albina Vision Trust's support for the project helped ODOT secure nearly $500 million in federal funding, but recent clawbacks from the Trump administration jeopardize this funding.

Critics have urged ODOT to consider capping I-5 without widening it, a move that could decrease costs, though many advocates find this path unrealistic. JT Flowers, the government affairs director at Albina Vision Trust, noted, "The work we do will unfold across decades. " The planned initial construction was set to begin this summer, with a more substantial groundbreaking anticipated in 2027. As funding and political support fluctuate, the future of the Rose Quarter project remains uncertain.