BEND, OR -- State lawmakers held a public hearing in Bend Thursday evening, to discuss transportation funding. Oregon Department of Transportation Director Kris Strickler opened the meeting with an outline of necessary funding, and a massive shortfall, "The takeaway for all of this is about a $1.8 billion additional need for the system," He told the Joint Committee on Transportation, "Now, of course, there's always opportunities to be more efficient. There are streamlining efforts that we have been embarking on in the last three biennia and will continue to do so. And we're holding a significant number of vacancies, even as we speak, even before we get to into the budget challenge of '25-27."

DMV's regional manager also talked about how chronic understaffing impacts local operations and customers, "In 2023, we had to close an office in this area for all or part of the day, due to staffing, 16 times. And already this year, we've seen an additional 16 staffing-related closures."

The Joint Committee on Transportation is tasked with recommending ODOT's next budget and Central Oregonians weighed in. Nancy Stephens is blind and is one of a numer of people who complained transit services are inconsistent, "I do appreciate the paratransit service here, but it can take hours to get one errand done." One man said, "I would love to take the bus. That would be a safe, climate-friendly solution, that once again helps reduce congestion for everyone else. But that's impossible because Cascades East Transit only runs until 5:30 p.m."

Others, like Charlene Wills of Bend, are frustrated with pedestrian access at roundabouts, "Which are at this point in time, are still very unsafe for blind, visually impaired pedestrians, and those who use walkers and wheelchairs."

Other comments included, "You must change ODOT's priorities, to emphasize maintenance, safety and protecting our climate," requests for continued plowing of Cascade Lakes Highway in the winter and a proposal to fine people who use studded tires. And one person asked for better high-speed options, "Specifically, the promotion of a lightrail system between Bend and Redmond."

Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler also testified, saying, "I think we need an ODOT 2.0." She asked the committee to consider the big picture, beyond highways, "That includes making sure we're investing properly in multi-modal networks, in Safe Routes to schools, transit, rail, everything else that people can use to get around in safe ways."

Prior to the evening hearing at OSU-Cascades, the committee visited local transportation infrastructure and took part in a roundtable discussion with elected officials and local transportation experts. 

This was the ninth stop on the committee's state tour. The group is in The Dalles Friday.