Business groups appeal to lawmakers to ease congestion


With an improved economy, booming population, Portland’s roads are in overdrive.

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BY JACOB PALMER | DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR

With an improved economy, booming population, Portland’s roads are in overdrive.

Business groups are hoping lawmakers can find a solution that will ease congestion in the Portland area.

A study released earlier this year at the Oregon Business Summit, not connected with ODOT, says that vehicle miles traveled daily on arterial streets in the Portland area during 2014 have now exceeded their 2010 levels, although miles traveled daily on freeways were still about 900,000 below 2010.

The same study concluded that unless there is action, the number of hours spent in traffic delays in the Portland region will increase three-fold to 69 by 2040 — but could be held to 37 hours with action. For other Oregon cities, such delays could be reduced from 18 hours to six hours.

(SOURCE: Portland Tribune)

A representative from the Oregon Trucking Association said the problem is exacerbated by the problems at the Port of Portland.

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