Oregon wants tolls on some highways

(DECEMBER 2, 2018) Will Oregon have tolls on some highways? A toll is money to use a road. The state is asking the government to charge drivers. The tolls are for parts of Interstate 5 and Interstate 205. Downtown Portland is part of the plan.

The Oregon Department of Transportation does not say the price of the tolls. That depends on the traffic. It also depends on the time of day. Tolls are electronic.

Some people like the idea. They think tolls lower traffic. Some people stop driving. They use buses. They ride bikes. They take the train. Money from tolls can fix roads. For example, the state wants to make bridges safe during earthquakes.

Others do not like the idea. They do not think tolls help lower traffic. Tolls hurt people with low incomes. Also, some drivers use streets instead of the highway. There is more traffic around homes and businesses.

Traffic in Portland is bad. Some trips take a long time. It is getting worse.