OP-ED: The difficulty of paying for infrastructure
Financing infrastructure is always a challenge – and nowhere more than in Portland where we are in front-row seats to a slugfest led by Mayor Charlie Hales and City Councilman […]
OP-ED: Balancing industrial and environmental concerns
For the past several months and years there has been a debate about coal export from the state of Oregon. In the proposed model, coal would be shipped via rail […]
OP-ED: Infrastructure not keeping pace with economy
Recently there have been several eye-catching headlines related to the movement of raw materials and finished goods. One says that ships are waiting 10 to 15 days at Southern California […]
OP-ED: Skill development lagging in Oregon
Manufacturing is on an upturn in Oregon. Vigor Industrial and Oregon Iron Works, an Oregon business icon, have merged. A huge, world-class drydock is now in Portland. Companies like Erickson […]
OP-ED: As parks and roads suffer, tough choices loom
The city of Portland in the next election season is facing some interesting choices in regard to infrastructure. On the one hand, the bond measure for park improvements is expected to be on the ballot. On the other hand, additional funding for roads and streets likely won’t be resolved.
OP-ED: College debt is the elephant in the room
College debt accumulated by recent graduates is continuing to affect those graduates and the economy. Graduates are living in the basements of their parents’ homes with debt loads in […]
OP-ED: It’s time to invest in surface street maintenance
Three years ago the Oregon section of the American Society of Civil Engineers created an independent assessment of the state’s infrastructure. In that report, currently still available online, urban […]
OP-ED: Engineering profession will be in good hands
The American Society of Civil Engineers’ Oregon section recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. The weekend was marked by a reception at OMSI as well as an engineering competition sponsored […]
OP-ED: Conversation about seismic resilience needs to mature
Meetings and presentations continue to address the challenge of seismic resilience in Oregon. The apostles of this effort convey the message that the sky is falling. The message is […]
OP-ED: Civil engineers continue to play big roles
There is an old saying that doctors save lives one at a time and civil engineers save them a thousand at a time. The newspapers today are full of […]
Looking to leap into ownership
For the last several years passing through McMinnville has always been a treat as Delford Smith added a new building or a new airplane to his collection at the […]
Three dollars for a gallon of gas?
Whoever thought that we’d see gasoline at $3 a gallon again? Whoever thought that the United States would be one of the world’s greatest producers and a net exporter […]
News
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $10.6 million in top bidders | July 31, 2026
- Many Oregon counties struggling to maintain their fairgrounds
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization — the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion







