No More Freeways
@nomorefreewayspdx.com
We’re the grassroots community effort to stop ODOT’s polluting, costly, dumb freeway expansions.
Climate leaders don’t widen freeways ❌🛣️❌
Climate leaders don’t widen freeways ❌🛣️❌
“It’s rich to see Republicans suddenly discover that safe roads require money,” Rep. Travis Nelson, D-Portland. “The very lawmakers now urging ODOT to seek emergency funding were happy to support referring stable transportation funding to the ballot, putting road maintenance on ice for years.”
Less than a week after a Republican-led campaign put new money for state roads on ice, lawmakers are in a partisan squabble over how to fund winter road maintenance throughout Oregon.
With new road funding suspended, Oregon lawmakers spar over winter maintenance
Republicans who have blocked new tax revenues now argue emergency funds might be needed.
www.opb.org
December 18, 2025 at 11:01 PM
“It’s rich to see Republicans suddenly discover that safe roads require money,” Rep. Travis Nelson, D-Portland. “The very lawmakers now urging ODOT to seek emergency funding were happy to support referring stable transportation funding to the ballot, putting road maintenance on ice for years.”
Reposted by No More Freeways
IBR Incompetence or Corruption?
At the Dec. 15th Bi-State Legislative Committee meeting the “IBR Ground Improvement Test Program” was presented. The IBR is spending $1.9 million for no useful information.
Link:
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/lett...
At the Dec. 15th Bi-State Legislative Committee meeting the “IBR Ground Improvement Test Program” was presented. The IBR is spending $1.9 million for no useful information.
Link:
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/lett...
December 18, 2025 at 10:32 PM
IBR Incompetence or Corruption?
At the Dec. 15th Bi-State Legislative Committee meeting the “IBR Ground Improvement Test Program” was presented. The IBR is spending $1.9 million for no useful information.
Link:
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/lett...
At the Dec. 15th Bi-State Legislative Committee meeting the “IBR Ground Improvement Test Program” was presented. The IBR is spending $1.9 million for no useful information.
Link:
www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/lett...
Reposted by No More Freeways
"beyond a three-mile radius of the downtown's center point, 'a highway's presence goes from disamenity to amenity, in that it devalues property up to a half-mile away within that three-mile radius, and it adds value outside of that three-mile radius,'"
"Places where the highways work 'well' also have the worst economies — and to me, that's pretty telling; we've fundamentally gotten this wrong."
Find Out Exactly How Much Downtown Highways Cost Your City — Streetsblog USA
"How much does it actually cost to be car dependent?" This Dallas-based analyst set out to answer that question for cities across the U.S.
usa.streetsblog.org
December 18, 2025 at 11:17 AM
"beyond a three-mile radius of the downtown's center point, 'a highway's presence goes from disamenity to amenity, in that it devalues property up to a half-mile away within that three-mile radius, and it adds value outside of that three-mile radius,'"
"I don't think I'm expecting you to have a finite, perfect budget plan. But you can’t punt it down the road without giving us something... I want a date, and I want a report. Or else I would say that your team is not doing its work, to be blunt."
- Rep Thuy Tran
www.kgw.com/article/news...
- Rep Thuy Tran
www.kgw.com/article/news...
I-5 bridge replacement cost estimate pushed to 2026, irking some lawmakers on oversight committee
At a previous meeting in September, members of the bi-state committee overseeing the project had pressed the team to have the new estimate ready in December.
www.kgw.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:31 PM
"I don't think I'm expecting you to have a finite, perfect budget plan. But you can’t punt it down the road without giving us something... I want a date, and I want a report. Or else I would say that your team is not doing its work, to be blunt."
- Rep Thuy Tran
www.kgw.com/article/news...
- Rep Thuy Tran
www.kgw.com/article/news...
"Places where the highways work 'well' also have the worst economies — and to me, that's pretty telling; we've fundamentally gotten this wrong."
Find Out Exactly How Much Downtown Highways Cost Your City — Streetsblog USA
"How much does it actually cost to be car dependent?" This Dallas-based analyst set out to answer that question for cities across the U.S.
usa.streetsblog.org
December 15, 2025 at 10:58 PM
"Places where the highways work 'well' also have the worst economies — and to me, that's pretty telling; we've fundamentally gotten this wrong."
a little friday ews dump for y'all:
ODOT/WSDOT announce today via posted materials ahead of Monday's bi-state IBR committee meeting that we apparently *won't* be getting an updated cost estimate for the Interstate Bridge Replacaement next week after all.
olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025I1/D...
ODOT/WSDOT announce today via posted materials ahead of Monday's bi-state IBR committee meeting that we apparently *won't* be getting an updated cost estimate for the Interstate Bridge Replacaement next week after all.
olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025I1/D...
December 13, 2025 at 1:25 AM
a little friday ews dump for y'all:
ODOT/WSDOT announce today via posted materials ahead of Monday's bi-state IBR committee meeting that we apparently *won't* be getting an updated cost estimate for the Interstate Bridge Replacaement next week after all.
olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025I1/D...
ODOT/WSDOT announce today via posted materials ahead of Monday's bi-state IBR committee meeting that we apparently *won't* be getting an updated cost estimate for the Interstate Bridge Replacaement next week after all.
olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025I1/D...
Reposted by No More Freeways
Don't think for one minute that this is a hysterical statement. You can't sit through dozens of meetings over nearly a decade and not come away thinking something is terribly wrong with our transportation planning professionals and those who enable them.
MnDOT should quantify how much poison will be spewed, how racially disparate the death & suffering, how many young brains they want to fry, how much cancer is acceptable, before settling on a course to rebuild or expand an urban interstate.
Read the recap, watch the highlights or full recording of the @mndot.mn.gov PAC meeting, and RSVP for the upcoming formal public comment meetings.
www.ourstreetsmn.org/2025/12/11/w...
www.ourstreetsmn.org/2025/12/11/w...
December 12, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Don't think for one minute that this is a hysterical statement. You can't sit through dozens of meetings over nearly a decade and not come away thinking something is terribly wrong with our transportation planning professionals and those who enable them.
"How bad have things gotten for the I-5 Rose Quarter project? So bad that the Oregon Department of Transportation has finally called the question: Is it time to mothball the project and transfer the funding to other priorities?"
- @bikeportland.org
bikeportland.org/2025/11/11/i...
- @bikeportland.org
bikeportland.org/2025/11/11/i...
Is this the end? State transportation commission could defund I-5 Rose Quarter project
Project staff call the question after eight years of planning and little progress to show for it.
bikeportland.org
December 11, 2025 at 6:22 PM
"How bad have things gotten for the I-5 Rose Quarter project? So bad that the Oregon Department of Transportation has finally called the question: Is it time to mothball the project and transfer the funding to other priorities?"
- @bikeportland.org
bikeportland.org/2025/11/11/i...
- @bikeportland.org
bikeportland.org/2025/11/11/i...
Reposted by No More Freeways
one thing AVT emphasizes in talking about the rose quarter project is that they think the cap is happening with the freeway widening or not at all. but it feels more like they are the only credible defenders left propping up ODOT as it careens into a disastrous failure that won’t even produce a cap
There's also some erasure here. While it's true and important to note the opposition is predominantly white, there are also lots of POC involved in the coalition opposing freeway expansion. And AVT was among them years ago.
Racial Justice Group Albina Vision Trust Withdraws Its Support for I-5 Rose Quarter Expansion
It’s a significant development for the potentially billion dollar project.
www.wweek.com
July 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM
one thing AVT emphasizes in talking about the rose quarter project is that they think the cap is happening with the freeway widening or not at all. but it feels more like they are the only credible defenders left propping up ODOT as it careens into a disastrous failure that won’t even produce a cap
For over seven years, ODOT has refused to even study whether it'd be cheaper, easier, better to cap I-5 *without* doubling the width of the freeway (and all the traffic, air pollution and carbon emissions that brings) into the backyard of Harriet Tubman Middle School + the Albina neighborhood
Another important piece of this "can they build caps w/o freeway widening" question is: That option was never studied by ODOT and that's why one lawsuits from @nomorefreewayspdx.com wants a full EIS so that ODOT would have to study whether or not it's possible to build caps w/o fwy widening.
December 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
For over seven years, ODOT has refused to even study whether it'd be cheaper, easier, better to cap I-5 *without* doubling the width of the freeway (and all the traffic, air pollution and carbon emissions that brings) into the backyard of Harriet Tubman Middle School + the Albina neighborhood
Reposted by No More Freeways
Appreciate the clarity. It sucks, but this is the reality we live in. ODOT does not even have money to keep our bridges from crumbling and our public transit from falling apart. The money for highway expansion and caps does not exist.
Anti racism and climate justice are inherently bound together.
Anti racism and climate justice are inherently bound together.
Trump took back a $450 million grant intended for the caps as per their anti “equity” crusade. (That missing $$ might explain Flowers’ irascibility).
They don’t have $$ for anything really. ODOT would say caps can’t be built w/o widening, but anti-fwy folks would disagree.
They don’t have $$ for anything really. ODOT would say caps can’t be built w/o widening, but anti-fwy folks would disagree.
December 10, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Appreciate the clarity. It sucks, but this is the reality we live in. ODOT does not even have money to keep our bridges from crumbling and our public transit from falling apart. The money for highway expansion and caps does not exist.
Anti racism and climate justice are inherently bound together.
Anti racism and climate justice are inherently bound together.
Reposted by No More Freeways
I dunno, man. I think it’s okay the AVT folks to say, “Look, this project is what we’ve decided economic restoration looks like. That’s what is most important to us.” That’s fair! No one’s gonna begrudge them that.
Trying to claim highway expansion is true climate consciousness isn’t necessary.
Trying to claim highway expansion is true climate consciousness isn’t necessary.
A candid exchange on Instagram underscored the complicated, ongoing racial dynamics of this project
bikeportland.org/2025/12/09/a...
bikeportland.org/2025/12/09/a...
Advocates spar ahead of pivotal Rose Quarter project vote
"You folks are starting to veer into a politic defined by green-washed racism..."
bikeportland.org
December 9, 2025 at 11:27 PM
I dunno, man. I think it’s okay the AVT folks to say, “Look, this project is what we’ve decided economic restoration looks like. That’s what is most important to us.” That’s fair! No one’s gonna begrudge them that.
Trying to claim highway expansion is true climate consciousness isn’t necessary.
Trying to claim highway expansion is true climate consciousness isn’t necessary.
Reposted by No More Freeways
re: recent rose quarter controversies, this continues to be my take on the situation
one thing AVT emphasizes in talking about the rose quarter project is that they think the cap is happening with the freeway widening or not at all. but it feels more like they are the only credible defenders left propping up ODOT as it careens into a disastrous failure that won’t even produce a cap
There's also some erasure here. While it's true and important to note the opposition is predominantly white, there are also lots of POC involved in the coalition opposing freeway expansion. And AVT was among them years ago.
December 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
re: recent rose quarter controversies, this continues to be my take on the situation
feels like a good time to dust off a definitive take on how the oregon department of transportation has deliberately pitted racial justice and environmental advocates against each other in service of their goal of doubling the width of the freeway through Albina
bikeportland.org/2021/03/03/g...
bikeportland.org/2021/03/03/g...
Guest Opinion: Time for ODOT to start over or scrap the I-5 Rose Quarter project
Former Portland resident Ka'sha Bernard earned a J.D. from the Notre Dame School of Law in 2018, is a member of the Oregon State Bar, and currently works as a climate and energy attorney at the Center...
bikeportland.org
December 9, 2025 at 11:54 PM
feels like a good time to dust off a definitive take on how the oregon department of transportation has deliberately pitted racial justice and environmental advocates against each other in service of their goal of doubling the width of the freeway through Albina
bikeportland.org/2021/03/03/g...
bikeportland.org/2021/03/03/g...
Reposted by No More Freeways
one last plug for this #pdx
Action Alert!
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
December 9, 2025 at 3:44 PM
one last plug for this #pdx
Reposted by No More Freeways
Filmed Transit Talks with @councilormorillo.bsky.social tonight and between questions a fellow rider jumped in to say that they were loving the conversation, hearing a city councilor talk about the need for transit investments. Transit is a pro-community, pro-democracy space.
December 9, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Filmed Transit Talks with @councilormorillo.bsky.social tonight and between questions a fellow rider jumped in to say that they were loving the conversation, hearing a city councilor talk about the need for transit investments. Transit is a pro-community, pro-democracy space.
Reposted by No More Freeways
Fascinating to read this critique of highway caps (land bridges) from communities who view them as a non-solution to the environmental injustice of air pollution
Also of note: the federal transportation dept is (still!) giving $ to remove freeways—but state DOTs lack the imagination to want it
Also of note: the federal transportation dept is (still!) giving $ to remove freeways—but state DOTs lack the imagination to want it
www.nytimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Fascinating to read this critique of highway caps (land bridges) from communities who view them as a non-solution to the environmental injustice of air pollution
Also of note: the federal transportation dept is (still!) giving $ to remove freeways—but state DOTs lack the imagination to want it
Also of note: the federal transportation dept is (still!) giving $ to remove freeways—but state DOTs lack the imagination to want it
Reposted by No More Freeways
Stop the Rose Quarter boondoggle. We don't have the money, the feds are out and it was never in line with our climate goals.
This project is a mess.
This project is a mess.
Action Alert!
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
December 8, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Stop the Rose Quarter boondoggle. We don't have the money, the feds are out and it was never in line with our climate goals.
This project is a mess.
This project is a mess.
Reposted by No More Freeways
Washington State needs organization like this. Billions are being poured into highway expansion while we face a massive budget deficit and deferred maintenance of our existing infrastructure.
Action Alert!
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
December 7, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Washington State needs organization like this. Billions are being poured into highway expansion while we face a massive budget deficit and deferred maintenance of our existing infrastructure.
Reposted by No More Freeways
This is your opportunity to get the potholes fixed in a woke way
Action Alert!
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
December 7, 2025 at 6:03 AM
This is your opportunity to get the potholes fixed in a woke way
Reposted by No More Freeways
It would be so incredible if we could get ODOT to finally give up on this freeway expansion project. There's literally no money for it and they've already wasted so much that could go to repairs and safety improvements
Action Alert!
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
December 7, 2025 at 5:38 AM
It would be so incredible if we could get ODOT to finally give up on this freeway expansion project. There's literally no money for it and they've already wasted so much that could go to repairs and safety improvements
Reposted by No More Freeways
things have become so dire at odot re: funding that we now legit have a shot at defunding this terrible stupid freeway expansion we've been fighting for over eight years.
now's your chance - send an email to the oregon transportation commission. No More Freeways made it easy - deadline is tuesday
now's your chance - send an email to the oregon transportation commission. No More Freeways made it easy - deadline is tuesday
Action Alert!
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
December 7, 2025 at 2:55 AM
things have become so dire at odot re: funding that we now legit have a shot at defunding this terrible stupid freeway expansion we've been fighting for over eight years.
now's your chance - send an email to the oregon transportation commission. No More Freeways made it easy - deadline is tuesday
now's your chance - send an email to the oregon transportation commission. No More Freeways made it easy - deadline is tuesday
Reposted by No More Freeways
Every single comment submitted, imho, should however also *explicitly* express support for returning to the *freeway caps* portion at a later date, lest the nimrods at ODOT think Portlanders want to bail on the caps, too.
Action Alert!
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
Join No More Freeways in demanding that the Oregon Transportation Commission vote to redirect Rose Quarter Freeway Expansion funding to serve ODOT's myriad other needs.
Testimony due by Tuesday - RT and help us spread the word!
www.nomorefreewayspdx.com/option3
December 7, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Every single comment submitted, imho, should however also *explicitly* express support for returning to the *freeway caps* portion at a later date, lest the nimrods at ODOT think Portlanders want to bail on the caps, too.