Several Oregon Counties Struggle To Maintain Roads Due To Revenue Shortfalls
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. — Maintaining Oregon County road systems is likely to put a lot of pressure on counties as an annual revenue shortfall of $834 million every year for the next five years has been forecast in a new study.
Revenue Shortfall For Oregon Road Maintenance Predicted
The 2024 County Road Needs Study of the Association of Oregon Counties reveals a potential statewide annual revenue shortfall of 59% over the next five years. This means an additional $834 million to maintain and manage county road systems in a safe and adequate condition will need to be sourced elsewhere every year.
Click here for the full 2024 study affecting Oregon Counties.
Oregon Counties and transportation agencies face structural funding challenges to support a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system that supports funding. Currently, the state pairs with Oregon Counties to deliver the services.
Douglas County Among Many Facing Road Maintenance Funding Challenges
Douglas County is just one of many counties facing revenue shortfalls when it comes to maintaining roads. A 50-30-20 State Highway Fund Distribution Formula ensures that funds for public road systems are distributed 50 percent to the state, 30 percent to counties, and 20 percent to cities.
It is intended for safety improvements and maintenance of critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, sidewalks, bike paths, traffic signals, culverts, and fish passages.
Douglas County owns and maintains 1,144 road miles and 300 bridges, including 161 miles in poor or fair condition, 240 bridges in poor or fair condition, and 63 heavy-truck-weight restricted bridges.
Douglas County Public Works Director Scott Adams indicated that current funding already falls short of keeping pace with inflation and rising material costs and confirmed that additional cuts to funding would be detrimental.
Adams added that reducing or eliminating the County’s portion of gas tax revenues or introducing proposals to legislate changes to Oregon’s long-standing highway revenue-sharing model would further cripple the county’s ability to maintain or repair its aging roads and bridges.
County representatives are looking at new ideas for solutions to build a transportation funding package in 2025 that will support the needs of all local communities.
Douglas County is already anticipating critical budget shortfalls with the continued loss of federal timber revenues.
Commissioner and Public Works Liaison Tom Kress indicated that cuts to funding for road and bridge maintenance would affect their ability to maintain the vital infrastructure to keep communities connected and the economy moving.
The county hopes for constructive suggestions and encourages the community to contact their legislators to advocate for a fair funding package.