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Roadways as a utility
Oregon is behind the times in how it pays for its horizontal infrastructure. The state is poised to fall off a cliff in terms of roadway funding unless a paradigm […]
Blink and you鈥檒l miss it
As an engineer, I’m sensitive to the criticism often levied against the construction industry that productivity increases lag that of other industries. However, today that is no longer true. Industry […]
Coal in the Pacific Northwest
Coal trains are in the news again, and I’m not talking about music. The question of coal trains running through the Pacific Northwest to supply China has given local officials […]
Projects must be built right
A number of recent projects that some people would have liked to see move forward simply haven’t. Regional ones that come to mind include the Columbia River Crossing and energy-related […]
Funding for maintenance should not be overlooked
Oregonians, like most Americans, like shiny new projects. But when it comes to maintenance, the money just doesn’t seem to be there. In Tillamook County, voters defeated a maintenance levy […]
An open letter to PAT and SEIU 鈥� more tax revenues, not more taxes
The news coming from Portland Public Schools and the Beaverton School District has not been good in the last few weeks. The Portland school district may lay off 110 teachers […]
Oregon must focus on transportation infrastructure
Civil engineering touches people every day: from the water we drink, to the roads that get us where we want to go, to the power that turns on the lights, […]
Time to engineer a solution to pay for projects
Delivering infrastructure has always been a challenge. Budgets, scopes and schedules have always been scrutinized, but never more so than today. Some parts of Oregon have severe funding shortages. Curry […]
Some tough decisions loom for Oregon
In elections recently, voters determined the fates of key infrastructure. In Tillamook County, a ballot measure called for adding a property tax assessment in order to pay for maintenance efforts […]
Were my 2011 predictions correct?
Last year, I made a few predictions for 2011, and they weren’t too far off. I predicted that the recovery would not be led by government or by housing. I […]
Infrastructure crisis: Hype or credibility gap?
Last month there was an election in Tillamook County. Voters were asked to consider a property tax levy that would have provided additional funding for county roads and bridges. The […]
Oregon’s infrastructure remains vulnerable
The Oregon section of the American Society of Civil Engineers recently issued a report card on the condition of Oregon’s infrastructure. It is shortly going to add a section on […]
News
- $960,000 office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 10, 2026
- Two projects in historic districts in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 10, 2026
- 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
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 鈥� 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
