Expect to see crews painting over graffiti and replacing vandalized highway signs along Portland’s main transportation arteries in the coming weeks.
Driving the news: Earlier this month, the Legislature approved an additional $20 million bump in the Oregon Department of Transportation’s budget to address graffiti, litter and homeless camp cleanup in the tri-county area — an initiative put forth by Gov. Tina Kotek’s downtown task force.
- Once the governor signs the bill, ODOT will begin issuing contracts to hire private companies to do the work.
What they’re saying: “Sometime in April we’ll begin to see crews working on this,” Don Hamilton, a spokesperson for the transportation agency, told Axios. “Will we see a difference? Yes, but it won’t put an end to this problem.”
Context: Graffiti along Portland’s main arteries has only worsened since ODOT ran out of dedicated funds to remove and prevent vandalism from the city’s highways last summer.
- Addressing shortfalls in ODOT’s budget — which has taken a significant hit since revenue from the state’s gas tax has dropped — will be a priority for lawmakers in next year’s session, Hamilton said.
By the numbers: Of the $20 million allocated, $4 million will be dedicated solely to painting over graffiti and replacing illegible, vandalized highway signs.
- Another $4 million will be dedicated to homeless camp cleanup, an additional $4 million for litter and the rest will be used to install barriers under bridges, near retaining walls and along bike lanes to deter camping and RV parking.