Portland Voters to Consider Largest Ever Transportation Investment in November

The Get Moving 2020 transportation plan will face voters in thee Portland, Oregon region in November.

2 minute read

October 8, 2020, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Transportation Planning

The Get Moving 2020 plan would focus transportation investments on 17 corridors in the Portland region. | Metro Council

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.

Friday, July 17, 2020 in KGW

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today