Bicycle and pedestrian safety advocates in Oregon are expressing concern after state lawmakers approved a proposal that would reduce funding for programs supporting safer travel routes for students.
The measure, recently passed by the Oregon Legislature, would restructure the transportation budget managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation. If signed by Tina Kotek, the state’s governor, the plan would redirect about $218 million from various transportation programs toward road maintenance and operational costs.
According to ODOT officials, the change is intended to address growing financial pressures while maintaining the state’s highway system and preventing roughly 470 job layoffs.
“We’re seeing gas tax revenues level off as vehicles become more fuel-efficient, while maintenance costs continue to rise,” said Katherine Benenati, a spokesperson for the agency. She added that existing budget rules previously limited how funds could be used for road maintenance and operations.
Critics say cuts affect alternative transportation
Opponents argue the proposal would shift resources away from transportation options such as cycling, walking and public infrastructure projects.
Under the plan, $42 million would be removed from the Connect Oregon program, which supports transportation projects related to rail, marine and aviation systems.
Another $17 million would be cut from the Safe Routes to School construction program, which funds improvements like sidewalks, bike lanes and pedestrian pathways around schools.
Local educators highlight safety benefits
Sarah Mazze, coordinator of the Safe Routes to School program for Eugene School District 4J, said the funding reductions are disappointing because communities have seen significant benefits from relatively small grants.
Mazze pointed to a recently completed pedestrian path along Howard Avenue near Howard Elementary School in Eugene, Oregon as an example of how the program improves student safety.
She noted that the school district currently has about 200 potential infrastructure projects it hopes to complete in the future.
“Communities need safety improvements now so people feel comfortable traveling by different modes, not just by car,” Mazze said. She also pointed out that some students cannot rely on school buses if they live within certain distance limits.
Officials say current projects will continue
ODOT representatives said the funding reductions would not cancel projects that are already underway. Instead, the changes would likely delay the next round of grant applications by about a year and reduce the amount of funding available in future cycles.
Benenati said the reallocation is intended to address short-term financial challenges.
“We need to focus on maintaining existing infrastructure, even if that means postponing some projects we would like to build,” she said, adding that officials understand many residents value safe bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
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