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Oregonians have worked diligently to put together a package that improves surface infrastructure throughout the state. This required close cooperation between the eastern and western parts of our state and resulted in a number of compromises, but the program is one that Oregonians can live with.

With all of this in place, from out in right field comes a Washington legislator, U.S. Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, who believes that this is unfair to southwest Washington residents. Not only does she believe it is unfair, but she was able to include an amendment passed by the U.S. House that prohibits Oregon from pursuing its current tolling scheme for Interstate 5 and Interstate 205.

Ms. Herrera Beutler’s district, which goes north almost to Olympia and out to the coast, apparently has forgotten that tolling has always been a significant part of the Washington State Department of Transportation’s revenue program. In fact, she probably has forgotten that the Interstate Bridge when it was first constructed had toll structures on the Washington side. There was even the light rail of the day: streetcars. She has also probably not been in Cascade Locks or Hood River recently. Both have toll booths on the Oregon side. Her website touts her effort as an accomplishment on behalf of her electorate. Indeed, Washington’s governor has stated that no tolling will take place on the Oregon side unless Washington sits at the table – it’s not clear precisely which table is being referred to.

The Oregon congressional delegation appears to be completely missing in action. Nothing has been heard from Greg Walden, Peter DeFazio, Kurt Schrader, Suzanne Bonamici and Mr. Infrastructure himself – Earl Blumenauer. The silence is deafening. How this amendment got past our congressional delegation is a question that at least one of them should stand up and account for. Perhaps they’re all being distracted by putting out their Trump dumpster fires.

When Oregon goes as far as it has to develop an infrastructure program, it needs to be supported by all Oregonians. Sometimes a few sharp elbows might need to be thrown to make things move ahead.

The last great infrastructure initiative by Oregon was the bond measure that resulted in quite a few improvements, but are now becoming dated. Traffic congestion in the metropolitan areas is well documented and clearly inhibiting Oregon’s economic expansion. While understandably of little interest to Washington state’s congressional delegation, it should be high on the Oregon congressional delegation’s agenda. Oregon’s infrastructure must be given a push by extra revenue sources. The tolls that are anticipated in the metropolitan area will benefit the southwest Washington area as well. The increase in economic activities will spill over to the Washington side.

The connections between the Portland area and southwest Washington are close, and this misguided effort gets in the way of something that is clearly necessary. The number of connections between Washington and Oregon should increase. One alternative worth considering is construction of additional bridges across the Columbia River beyond improving the current one carrying I-5 and I-205. Bridges crossing the Columbia further east would stimulate eastern suburbs of both Portland and Vancouver. It should not be necessary for all traffic crossing the river to be funneled through the I-5/I-205 corridor on the west or the Bridge of the Gods/Hood River on the east.

In any case, times a’wasting and our congressional delegation needs to put Ms. Herrera Beutler’s amendment where it belongs – in the trash.

Christian Steinbrecher is president of Ukiah Engineering. He is the author of ASCE Oregon’s report card on Oregon’s infrastructure and a past recipient of ASCE Oregon’s Engineer of the Year award. Contact him at 503-297-4827 or [email protected].