With an air of urgency, a coalition of Mayors from Multnomah County and East County cities has established a firm stance, pressing the Oregon Legislature to pass a critical transportation funding bill this session. Advocating for statewide sustainable funding, this Monday, May 12, they aim to unite in voice during a press conference, as reported by Multnomah County's official announcement. Our communities, they argue, are on the brink of tangible progress, yet held back by the lack of financial support for infrastructure that connects lives and livelihoods.
In attendance at the Donald L Robertson City Park will be an array whose voices echo through the pavements of their respective domains - Multnomah County Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon, Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall, and various other city mayors alongside community member Bob Thomas. Across the street, as outlined by Multnomah County, the press can capture the duality of the story: new crosswalk projects that hint at what's possible juxtaposed with Halsey's tattered roads begging for more than just a temporary fix.
A call to action accompanies the visual narrative, highlighting the importance of city and county roads that shuttle people to their daily destinations. "The Oregon Legislature must take action this legislative session to sustainably fund transportation," reads a fervent statement from the county's news release, echoing the community’s plea for infrastructure renewal. The pact between the cities and the county, the ambition for safety measures, and the fading condition of vital roads all point to a communal verdict - investment is not just warranted, but essential.
At the heart of the ask lies basic maintenance, identified as the paramount barrier to pedestrian and bicyclist safety in an Urban East County Transportation Safety Action Plan survey, as noted by the county's communication. While the county has hustled to use the available funds, patching up roads like E. Larch Mountain Road with $5.1 million for an overlay and repairs, the truth that underlines these efforts is a simple one - it's not enough. Without more funds, they could not replace the broken rural roads that lay awaiting a savior's hands.
As anticipation builds, the date for a Joint Committee on Transportation public hearing beckons, promising a stage for the voices of the many to rally behind the cause of state-funded transport development. The specific date in May is yet to be announced, a detail that citizens are urged to stay tuned for, according to the county's press release.
This May 12, then, represents more than just the convergence of Mayors against the backdrop of aspiration and decay. It is a moment where the future of Oregon's transportation lies in the balance, with the potential to emerge, funded and feasible, from the legislative crucible of this session.
