Lawmakers gather public input on transit needs at Hillsboro event

Washington County residents who want the Oregon Legislature to hear directly from them about the needs of the transit system will have a chance to do just that in Hillsboro at the final stop on a Joint Transportation Committee listening tour.

“The committee will hold public hearings to listen to community members about transit needs and how the Legislature should support the long-term safety and maintenance of Oregon’s transportation systems,” a news release announcing the event said.

The final stop will be September 27th from 5-7pm at the Hillsboro Civic Center in the Shirley Huffman Auditorium (150 E. Main Street).

Anyone interested in testifying can register in person 30 minutes before the start.

If time permits, remote statements will also be obtained. Those wishing to testify remotely can register on the committee's website at olis.oregonlegislature.gov.

Written witness statements may also be submitted to the Committee by email at (email protected).

A live stream of the event can be viewed online at olis.oregonlegislature.gov.

The Hillsboro stop will be the last of 12 stops on the nationwide Transportation Safety and Sustainability Outreach Tour, which began in Portland in June.

“Safety and efficiency were central components of every stop on this tour and will be key to developing an equitable transportation system that gets Oregonians and goods where they need to go,” said Rep. Susan McLain (D – Hillsboro). “I am grateful to every member of the public, local leaders and transportation officials who stepped up at each of our stops. We heard loud and clear from community leaders and the public that their communities have transportation needs and, more importantly, what financing solutions they would support to meet those needs.”

The Legislature's influence on transit issues is particularly strong in the rural areas of Gales Creek and Banks.

Banks' main street doubles as a state highway, and much of the region uses Highways 6, 26, and 47 – all state-owned highways – for travel and commuting.

The Salmonberry Trail, which begins in Banks and runs through Manning, Buxton and Timber into Tillamook State Forest, is a major transportation project that has already received legislative support; A 2014 bill called for the development of a Salmonberry Trail plan.

The Salmonberry Trail Foundation urged supporters of the trail's development to advocate for the trail at the stop and a similar trail planned the day before in Happy Valley.

“Don’t miss your chance to show your support for trails, recreation and the Salmonberry Trail at one of the final stops,” the group said in an email.

In 2022, the legislature passed a bill sponsored by then-state legislator Suzanne Weber requiring the Oregon Department of Transportation to study Highway 6 and recommend fixes to address repair and safety issues.

“Over the last 10 to 15 years, changes in the region’s economy have resulted in increased freight, tourist and transit traffic to OR 6. As traffic has increased, accidents and fatalities have become more common,” ODOT said in the study report summary.

However, the bill did not provide funding for repairs, and major repairs would likely require further legislative action. Major repairs in 2022 are estimated to total hundreds of millions of dollars.

By the time the tour ends in Hillsboro, the committee will have made stops in Portland, Tillamook, Albany, Eugene, Coos Bay, Medford, Ontario, Hermiston, Bend, The Dalles and Happy Valley.

“The perspectives and information gathered by the committee will guide lawmakers as they develop a plan for the 2025 session to maintain critical infrastructure, complete work on major projects, and ensure the safety and diversity of transportation systems across the state,” one said Press release from the legislature The tour read.

The Joint Committee on Transportation is co-chaired by Senator Chris Gorsek (D-Gresham) and Representative Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro) and co-chaired by Senator Brian Boquist (R-Rural Polk and Yamhill Counties) and Representative Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro). Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany, Millersburg and Tangent).

Chas Hundley is editor of the Gales Creek Journal and its sister publications Banks Post and Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.