A federal spending bill with an amendment aimed at preventing tolling on Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 has passed the U.S. House and is moving on to the U.S. Senate. The amendment was proposed by Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, earlier this month.
The amendment specifies that “none of the funds made available by this act may be used to enter into an agreement for the establishment or collection of tolls on Interstate Route 5 or Interstate Route 205 in the State of Oregon or Washington.”
Herrera Beutler also sent a letter to Gov. Jay Inslee last week signed by nine fellow Republican lawmakers asking the Governor to speak out against Oregon’s tentative plan to toll those freeways.
The governor has yet to take a public position on the issue and did not return requests seeking comment.
“I work for residents of Southwest Washington; their economic well-being, health and security are foremost in my mind when we are debating how to best allocate their tax dollars,” Herrera Beutler said in a press release. “I’m pleased this spending plan defends Washington commuters from paying Oregon a senseless toll that won’t improve our shared infrastructure needs and hope Senators Murray and Cantwell will join me in this effort.”
Murray and Cantwell were both noncommittal when discussing the provision earlier this month.
Oregon’s plan is also noncommittal. The $5.3 billion transportation bill directs the state transportation commission to consider tolls on I-5 and I-205 between the state line and Tualatin, Ore.
Commissioners have until Dec. 31, 2018, to ask the Federal Highway Administration for approval.
Travis Brouwer, Oregon Department of Transportation assistant director, has said it’s too early to say where tolls might occur and that Southwest Washington stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide input when an advisory committee begins meeting later this year.
Herrera Beutler doubled down on her statement that Oregon has a defined scheme to toll roads on Facebook Friday afternoon.
She outlined two sections that plan for tolling I-205 at the Washington state line, and adding a lane and replacing the Abernethy Bridge near Oregon City.
“That appears to be a very specific plan,” Herrera Beutler wrote.
