Portland Voters to Consider Largest Ever Transportation Investment in November

In July, the Metro Council, the regional planning organization for the Portland, Oregon area, finalized a historic ballot measure for consideration by voters in November. The "Get Moving 2020" plan requires voters to approve a $7 billion bond to fund safety, transit, and other transportation projects in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties.

"Among other investments, the measure would extend the MAX from downtown Portland to Tualatin, connect a regional rapid bus network, repair and replace bridges, complete sidewalks and pedestrian crossings on major roads, and upgrade thousands of traffic signals and streetlights," reported Chris McGinness back in July.

The bond would be financed with a new .75 percent payroll tax on businesses that the Metro Council claims will only apply to 10 percent of businesses in the region, with an exception for small businesses. That tax provoked opposition to the measure from the Portland Business Alliance, according to McGinnis.

The Metro Council has created a website to provide more information on the expenditure plan and governance of the proposed bond. Here's how that website summarizes the Get Moving 2020 plan:

If the proposed measure passes, 17 primary travel routes, known as corridors, are proposed for projects. Approximately 150 total projects are proposed in these corridors. If the measure passes, proposed corridor projects would include a light rail line in the Southwest Corridor between downtown Portland and Washington County, a rapid regional bus network, bridge replacement and repair, sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, off-street biking and walking facilities, and traffic signal and intersection upgrades.

The website includes additional projects and programs that will be funded by the Get Moving 2020 plan, like bus and MAX passes for youth, safe active transportation projects near schools, and the transition of buses from diesel to electric and low-carbon fuels.