Oregon DOT Seeks Vendors to Build Road-Usage-Charge Program

ODOT will contract with companies to maintain accounts, calculate charges and any credits due, and submit those charges to the Oregon Treasury

The Oregon Department of Transportation moved closer to implementing its voluntary Road Usage Charge Program by announcing it is seeking vendors to run the program.

"Our vision is to create a reliable, easy-to-use, low cost, enforceable, and publicly acceptable 'open' system that replaces the fuel tax," Jim Whitty, manager of ODOT's Office of Innovative Partnerships and Alternative Funding, said in a statement. "A charge based on measured road use preserves fairness and accountability in supporting the state's system of roads and highways."

Last July, the Oregon House and Senate passed legislation that made Oregon the first state to open up a voluntary mileage-based user fee system to the public in lieu of a state fuel excise tax.

ODOT will contract with companies to serve as road usage charge managers. The contractors will maintain customer accounts, calculate charges and any credits due, and submit those charges to the Oregon Treasury.

(more at AASHTO Journal . . . )

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