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I-205 Toll Project 2023 Environmental Assessment



Next steps for the I-205 Toll Project environmental review process

In response to comments from agencies and community members on the 2023 Environmental Assessment, and because of the reduced I-205 Toll Project scope, we're preparing a Supplemental Environmental Assessment for release in 2024. The assessment will be based on a revised Project Description and revised Purpose and Need statement. The public will have another opportunity to provide input and comment on the Supplemental Environmental Assessment in 2024.

Stay informed on the analysis and public comment period by signing up for our newsletter.

Read on for information included in the 2023 Environmental Assessment, published in February 2023. A summary of comments and engagement to support this work is posted below: 



Watch video: I-205 Toll Project EA Video Series - Overview

ODOT and the Federal Highway Administration analyzed proposed improvements and tolling on I-205 and published results in 2023 Environmental Assessment

This report identified the potential short- and long-term effects of the project on the transportation system, local communities, the economy, and the natural environment, and potential solutions to address negative effects. This process is required by the federal government, per the National Environmental Policy Act. 

What did we study?
The 2023 Environmental Assessment compared the effects in 2045 of two alternatives:
  • Build Alternative, which includes building a third lane in each direction between Stafford Road and OR 43, a northbound auxiliary lane between OR 99E and OR 213, toll gantries and variable-rate pricing, and seismic bridge upgrades on I-205.
  • No Build Alternative, which would have no additional improvements to I-205 and no tolls.
 
Click on image to expand

The 2023 Environmental Assessment compared short-term and long-term effects from both alternatives in several areas, including, but not limited to:

  • Travel times, traffic volumes, and the extent of rerouting traffic from I-205 to local streets
  • Safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles
  • Freight movement
  • Local and regional economy
  • Air quality, climate, and noise
  • Social resources, communities, and environmental justice, including low-income households
  • Natural and cultural resources

Visit the Resource Library to read the full text of the Environmental Assessment, and to review each of the associated discipline reports.


​Ways to participate​

Online: Watch videos​, explore an interactive map​​, and learn more details about the Environmental Assessment​​.

Print:
In-Person Events: Visit our project calendar to see where and when we'll be in your community!

Information tables:

  • ​​​​​March 14, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
    Fred Meyer
    1839 Molalla Ave​
    Oregon City, OR 97045

  • March 31, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
    Grocery Outlet
    878 Molalla Ave
    Oregon City, OR 97045​

  • April 5, 10:00 a.m.-12:00​ p.m.
    Tualatin Public Library
    18878 SW Martinazzi Ave,
    Tualatin, OR 97062​

  • April 12, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

    West Linn Adult Community Center
    1180 Rosemont Road
    West Linn, OR 97068

  • April 13, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
    ​Gladstone Senior Center
    1050 Portland Ave,
    Gladstone, OR 97027

Stat​ewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Open Houses:

  • ​​​​​April 3, 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
    Clackamas County Development Services Building Auditoriam
    150 Beavercreek Rd
    Oregon City, OR 97045
    Accomodations: Chris Ford, 971-263-3435

  • ​April 8, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
    Beaverton Library
    Meet Room A
    12375 SW 5th Street
    Beaverton, OR 97005
    Accomodation: Adriana Antelo​, 503-731-8262
    Note: The Beaverton Farmers Market is happening across the street.​

Webinars:
The interactive map shows three primary categories of information related to the I-205 Toll Project:
  • Traffic effects studied in the I-205 Toll Project 2023 Environmental Assessment, including traffic effects for adjacent roadway segments and the 50 intersections analyzed.
  • Improvements to the I-205 corridor that are studied in the I-205 Toll Project 2023 Environmental Assessment.
  • Proposed Mitigation included with the I-205 Toll Project to address negative impacts from the project.
Traffic Effects:
  • This layer shows traffic analysis conducted by the project team as a part of the I-205 Toll Project 2023 Environmental Assessment. You can navigate to specific intersections and roadway segments of interest and explore the estimated change in delay between the "Build" (I-205 improvements and tolling) and "No Build" (no tolling or improvements) alternatives for the years 2027 and 2047 during peak travel times. You can also select individual segments on available roadways to see travel-time changes for those segments. 
Improvements
  • This layer shows the I-205 improvements studied by the I-205 Toll Project. Elements incude the missing third lanes on I-205, toll gantries, sound walls, seismic upgrades, bridge replacements, and traveler information signs. Three improvements are currently being constructed and included as part of the "No-Build" (no tolling or improvements) alternative, including the Abernethy Bridge upgrade and interchange improvements at I-205 on-ramps and OR 43 E.

Mitigation

  • This layer shows proposed mitigation that is included with the I-205 Toll Project. These elements are designed to address the negative effects of the project.
Click on the image below or the link here to open the I-205 Toll Project 2023 Environmental Assessment Interactive Map in a new tab.



Watch our short tutorial on How to use the Interactive Map​.


​
Watch Video: I-205 Project Environmental Assessment Transportation​

On I-205, traffic congestion and safety improve with tolling and improvements
Without planned highway improvements and tolling, there would be up to 14 hours of congested conditions per day on some areas of I-205 by 2045, as more vehicles use the highway. With the planned improvements and tolling, congestion on some areas of I-205 would be reduced to 2 hours or less per day in 2045.



With improvements and tolling, travel times through the project area of I-205 would be faster by about 25 percent in the morning rush hour and up to 50 percent in the afternoon rush hour compared to without the additional improvements and congestion pricing. Freight trucks would also benefit from these improvements; most would experience similar or shorter travel times whether on I-205 or other routes like I-5 and OR 213.



The modeling also projects 26 percent fewer crashes on I-205 compared to not building the improvements and tolling.

On local streets, traffic congestion improves in some locations and worsens in others
Today, local communities are already seeing traffic on local roads as cars reroute from the interstate due to heavy congestion during peak commute hours. Traffic on some side streets would get better, while other streets will see more congestion compared to not building the project.

We are working with local cities to plan neighborhood street and safety projects
ODOT is collaborating with local governments to address potential negative impacts resulting from drivers trying to avoid tolls by rerouting to local streets. ODOT will identify and pay for these solutions – also called mitigation – to reduce adverse impacts identified in the environmental review process.

Some potential fixes include: 
  • Changing roadway striping and lane configurations
  • Adding roundabouts and new or modified traffic signals
  • Providing priority for buses on certain streets
  • Improving sidewalks and walkways 
  • Ongoing monitoring of the transportation system to identify issues as they arise 
Want to learn more? Watch a presentation video to learn about the study findings presented in the report, including mitigations. Read the Transportation Technical Report​.

​Watch Video: I-205 Project Environmental Assessment Economics​

Tolling increases household transportation costs
The Environmental Assessment shows annual transportation costs for the average household would be less than one percentage point higher with tolling compared to without tolling. For a household with an income of $88,000, tolling would represent an average increase in annual transportation costs from $7,000 to $7,600 per year.​ Drivers who are able to use tolled routes save travel time and vehicle operating costs. 

ODOT is committed to providing a low-income toll program when tolling begins. This program is still in development. Exemptions, credits, or discounted tolls are being considered for people or households earning less than a certain income level. 

Local businesses benefit from changes in traffic patterns
As some drivers choose different travel routes, consumer spending at shops, restaurants, and other businesses is expected to increase in three local commercial districts: 
  • First Ave in Canby (OR 99E)
  • Willamette Falls Drive in West Linn
  • Main Street in Oregon City
This additional consumer spending would translate into increased employment and income in these areas. 

There will be regional economic benefits
Project construction would generate temporary benefits to the economy of the Portland metropolitan region through the purchase of supplies and materials and the creation of jobs. Long-term benefits include increased employment opportunities, more predictable freight deliveries, and safer highways.

By 2045, highway improvements and tolling would result in millions of dollars per year in savings and benefits to the regional economy compared to not building the project. 

The project would provide long-term economic benefits for travelers and the region
  • $105 million in annual net economic benefits from 2027-2045*
  • Includes $9.8 million in annual cost savings for freight industry because of greater trip reliability
ODOT_Tolling-report_infographics_v3__Travel-Benefits-2.png ODOT_Tolling-report_infographics_v3__Travel-Benefits-3.png ODOT_Tolling-report_infographics_v3__Travel-Benefits-4.png ODOT_Tolling-report_infographics_v3__Travel-Benefits-5.png ​
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*Value is in 2021 dollars and relative to the No Build Alternative. Annualized benefit would be ~$41M in 2021 dollars with adjustments for inflation (7%)

Want to learn more? Read the Economics Technical Report​.
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Watch Video: I-205 Project Environmental Assessment Ai​r Quality, Climate and Noise

Long-term air pollution decreases.
Air pollution is expected to decrease over time, both with and without the project, because of stricter vehicle standards and technological advances. However, the project would result up to 9 percent lower emissions from air pollutants in 2027 and up to 12 percent lower emissions from air pollutants in 2045​ when compared to not building the improvements and tolling.

Contributes to ODOT's efforts to meet climate change goals. 
Future greenhouse gas emissions are expected to decrease due to better fuel economy standards, the transition to cleaner fuels, and electric vehicles. The Environmental Assessment shows that with the highway improvements and tolling, these greenhouse gas emissions would be 6 percent lower in 2027 and 4 percent lower by 2045 when compared to not building the improvements and tolling. 

Improvements and tolling on I-205 would not raise noise levels in the long term.
At most locations, the project would not noticeably raise noise levels in the long term according to noise models.

Predicted traffic noise levels in 2045 under the project would exceed ODOT and FHWA noise standards at some locations along I-205 from the addition of the third lane. To address long-term noise effects from the project, three new noise walls are recommended along I-205 near Blankenship Road. 

Want to learn more? Read the Air Quality, Climate and Noise​ Technical Reports.​
​
Watch Video: I-205 Project Environmental Assessment Environmental Justice and Equity

I-205 travel times would improve for everyone
All travelers will experience the benefits of highway improvements and tolls on I-205 – including those experiencing low incomes and communities of color. These benefits include reduced congestion, improved seismic safety, fewer delays, and fewer crashes on I-205.

We also found that most people would see the same or improved access to jobs and community places such as libraries, schools, parks, and medical facilities in 2045. 

Higher travel costs come with transportation benefits for everyone, including households experiencing low incomes
The Environmental Assessment shows that households with incomes below the federal poverty line would be more financially impacted by tolls than households above the poverty line due to higher transportation costs as a share of their household budgets. Read on for more details about a Low Income Toll Program in development.

However, improved traffic on I-205 is expected to have benefits that would reduce costs for all households, including households experiencing low incomes, such as shorter travel times and fewer crashes.

A low-income toll program is in development to help lessen burdens and negative impacts
ODOT is committed to providing a low-income toll program when tolling begins. We want a fair toll program that improves travel options without burdening struggling budgets. This low-income toll program is still in development and may include exemptions, credits, or discounted tolls, for people or households earning under a certain income level. 

Want to learn more? Read the Social R​esources, Communities and Environmental Justice​ Technical Reports.​





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