Portland residents are facing deteriorating road conditions due to deep potholes, which have led to costly damages for some, like Timothy Taylor. As electric and fuel-efficient vehicles gain popularity, gas tax revenues—traditionally a significant funding source for road maintenance—are declining. State officials warn that without new funding strategies, infrastructure quality, including roads and bridges, may suffer. This poses a challenge for states like Oregon, which aim to promote clean energy while still needing to sufficiently fund transportation infrastructure.
"Hearing that awful sound of your car bottoming out - it's horrible," said Timothy Taylor, reflecting on the damage to his car's suspension from local potholes.
"We now find ourselves right now in a position where we want to address fuel use and drive down reliance on gases and internal combustion engines. But we need the funds to operate our roads that EVs need to use as well," said Carra Sahler, highlighting the funding dilemma.
Oregon transportation officials warn that without more funding, residents could see further declines in the quality of roads, highways and bridges starting this year.
Gas taxes raised 41% of transportation revenue in fiscal year 2016, compared with roughly 36% in fiscal year 2024, indicating a concerning downward trend.
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