The Oregon Department of Transportation has announced the expansion of I-5 through the Rose Quarter, with $250 million allocated by the Transportation Commission. However, this funding only covers a fraction of the total estimated cost, which ranges from $1.5 to $1.9 billion. Stakeholders express concern, especially regarding the plan’s impact on the historic Albina neighborhood, which was experienced significant disruption due to freeway construction in the 1960s. The proposed freeway caps aim to reconnect this historically Black community.
ODOT now controls $850 million earmarked for the Rose Quarter expansion project, which may sound impressive. Yet, it only represents a portion of the overall costs. This project also entails several elements including stormwater facilities, bridge improvements, and freeway caps. The latter is particularly significant as it addresses the need to restore connectivity to the Albina neighborhood, a community that has faced division and negative impacts since freeway developments came to the area, leaving a deep legacy of disruption.
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