Wilsonville City Hall was packed last month as state legislators , local government officials and members of the public convened to gauge opinions on proposed tolls for Oregon highways .

The sentiment from the public was unanimous : Tolls are unwelcome .

At 5 p . m . on Thursday , Dec . 14 , the Legislature ’ s Joint Special Subcommittee On Transportation Planning held a two-hour public hearing to gather input from the community on the potential impact of tolls on Wilsonville , Charbonneau , Lake Oswego and the Tualatin area .

The Oregon Department of Transportation has been studying tolls on I-5 and I-205 at the directive of the state Legislature ’ s 2017 Traffic Congestion Relief Program . The tolls are a potential funding mechanism for infrastructure projects , such as the Boone Bridge Replacement Project and the strengthening and widening of the George Abernethy Bridge , which carries I-205 across the Willamette River between West Linn and Oregon City .

However , intense public opposition prompted Gov . Tina Kotek to suspend toll implementation until 2026 to allow more time for research and community feedback , which led to the formation of the Joint Special Subcommittee On Transportation Planning and other boards .

“ To date , the locations of tolling gantries , tolling fees and how the tolling program will work has not yet been decided ,” Rep . Nancy Nathanson , D-Eugene and co-chair of the committee , said at the meeting .

The first hour of Thursday ’ s meeting was reserved for comment from local officials . Wilsonville Mayor Julie Fitzgerald , Lake Oswego Mayor Joe Buck and Tualatin Mayor Frank Bubenik all gave remarks on the potential impact of tolls on their communities .

The mayors highlighted the need for more developed public transportation in the area should tolls be implemented , while also offering other funding mechanisms and expressing

dissatisfaction with ODOT communications . Additionally , they said tolls will cause drivers to use local roads instead , decreasing safety and increasing emissions , and called for revenue sharing .

“ If tolls are implemented , ODOT must revenue share to ensure that projects in local communities have adequate funding to mitigate diversion impacts ,” Bubenik said .

Buck said he wasn ’ t opposed to tolling as a funding mechanism , but felt that the current plan disproportionately impacts certain communities .

“ The piecemeal approach of introducing tolls on existing travel corridors in only certain portions of the region places the funding burden of a state system on only certain residents and greatly exacerbates the negative impact to local communities , compared with a more comprehensive and border regional and statewide approach the funding dilemma demands ,” Buck said .

Fitzgerald added that tolling could potentially cut Charbonneau off from the rest of Wilsonville .

“ Wilsonville has a unique way of being negatively affected by tolls ,” Fitzgerald said . “ Our Charbonneau neighborhood , which is across the river , depends on the interstate highway in order to interact with Wilsonville .”

Sen . Aaron Woods , D-Wilsonville , echoed Fitzgerald ’ s sentiments and said it would be “ ludicrous ” to expect a citizen to pay to travel within their own community . He also expressed concerns about the impact of traffic diversion .

“ While infrastructure improvements are necessary , they should not come at the cost of dividing my community with a toll , or the unintended negative impacts on traffic patterns and road safety ,” Woods said .

During the second hour of the meeting , waves of public commenters offered their two-minute statements of opposition . All 24 were against tolling and shared a variety of grievances , including potential environmental impacts , frustration with the policy-making process , concern for businesses in the area and the negative effects a gantry could have on them personally .

PMG FILE PHOTO

Charbonneau and Wilsonville residents have generally voiced opposition to tolling proposals .

The meeting concluded with remarks from Rep . Courtney Neron , D-Wilsonville , who noted that rising cost of living in the Portland metro area has forced many people to live farther out , and tolls would affect their ability to commute into the area for work . She also called out the difficulties tolls could impose on Charbonneau residents , confusion surrounding how ODOT will use tolling revenue and concerns about traffic diversion .

“ My constituents are engaged , informed and passionate about this issue , and we are insisting that ODOT share details and reliable information . Our communities are raising valid , low-income , fixed-income , logistical , safety and environmental concerns , and offering thoughtful and measured alternatives ,” Neron said . “ Our communities should have the right to safely and affordably move through our streets .”

A similar meeting about I-205 tolling for West Linn , Oregon City and Gladstone will take place Jan . 6 at the Gladstone High School auditorium , 18800 Portland Ave ., Gladstone , OR 97027 .