State Will Cover $19 Million Shortfall in ODOT Maintenance Budget

Salem, Oregon- Governor Tina Kotek, Senate President Rob Wagner, and House Speaker Dan Rayfield have announced a $19 million commitment to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The funding aims to address winter maintenance service reductions, implement safety-focused improvements, and replace aging trucks crucial for snow plowing operations.

Facing shortfalls in the State Highway Fund, unprecedented levels of inflation, and constraints on agency budgets, ODOT had initiated significant service cutbacks in maintenance and operations for this biennium. The allocated $19 million is poised to prevent unsafe road conditions and enable ODOT staff to maintain service levels during peak winter events.

Governor Kotek emphasized the importance of safe state highways, stating, “I am committed to finding long-term solutions that ensure our state roads meet the needs of Oregon families, businesses, and visitors. I appreciate Senate President Wagner and House Speaker Rayfield for prioritizing this funding to ensure safer road conditions this winter.”

Senate President Wagner highlighted the year-round necessity for safe travel on Oregon highways, expressing commitment to guaranteeing critical funding for the safety of Oregonians. House Speaker Rayfield underscored the critical role of a reliable transportation system and thanked transportation and budget leaders for ensuring a safe winter season and a more sustainable, equitable system.

A letter from Senate President Wagner and House Speaker Rayfield to Governor Kotek, committing to the funding, is available here. The breakdown of the $19 million allocation by ODOT includes:

Winter Maintenance ($8 million):

Restoration of essential winter maintenance efforts for the 2023-25 biennium.
Includes materials purchases (deicer and salt) and removal of overtime restrictions.
Ensures continuity of service through the biennium during peak winter events.

Road, Bridge, and Traffic Maintenance ($7 million):

$4.5 million for patching pavements and fixing potholes statewide, especially after winter freeze and thaw cycles.
$2.5 million to retrace edge lines on low-volume highways, restarting in spring 2024.

Fleet, Fuel, Materials, and Supplies ($4 million):

Replacement of 10 trucks primarily used for snow plowing out of ODOT’s fleet of approximately 400 trucks.
Addresses the issue of aging trucks leading to higher repair costs and reduced reliability during winter operations.
Ensures delivery of new trucks for the upcoming winter season.