Sam said
"""The paving program is largely dependent on revenue generated by the state gas tax, which has not been increased since 1993."""

Here we go again. Streets and roads are crumbling because some tax isn't high enough.

It has nothing to do with things like handing over $3 million PDOT dollars to OHSU for soome future parking spaces?

When are we going to here a street car or light rail extension can't be built because a toll or tax get get approved or raised?

Adams have shown over and over again he is dead set against any significant road improvements period. Either catching up on some maintenance or adding capacity.

Perhaps some of the $19 million in excess revenue (as reported in today's Oregonian) could be used for this purpose.

My favorite line of the article: "Kahn declined to blame anyone associated with the program for the problems, saying they may in fact be typical of paving programs in other cities, too."

Once again, ZERO accountability. It's just soooooo frustrating...

“We need to be getting the absolute most out of our street repair dollars,” said Adams, who was assigned the transportation bureau by Mayor Tom Potter in July 2005.

Unfortunately, these days we have to question even a seemingly forthright statement like this. We need to ask whether Sammy means "...the absolute most (STREET REPAIR) out of our street repair dollars...", or whether those dollars are being diverted to some other purpose.

So is the jarring effect from my taxes being spread unevenly and improperly on the roadbed, from my wallet being empty, or both?

You know, I live on Moore Ave, a block east of Vancouver and on the block north of Killingsworth. It's a non-arterial residential street that was in pretty good shape. A month or so ago, they slurried it, which means pouring a 2-3" layer of blacktop over the existing street.

Now, I'm all for maintaining the street, but it was in very good shape, and meanwhile, other streets are atrocious. What gives? Sam, are you trying to buy my vote? LOL.

Seriously, I have no idea how they decide to allocate their resources. Even money says they don't, either.

I think Sam borrows Sten's Magic 8-Ball.

Just give the whole damn business to the county, or set up a seperate tax district to do just street repair in the county and get the present management out of the business.

M.H.W.

Street repairs, yes. But not with the $19 million that Molly mentions. Portland certainly needs the repairs - and needs a better way of funding such a given and regular expense over an beyond pet projects like the tram.

I had the same street-paving experience. Quiet, low-traffic, residential street in very good shape -- not a single pothole. PDOT repaves it. No one knows why, although one neighbor said they MEANT to pave the next block over, which is a Tri-Met bus route, but screwed up. Who knows if it's true, but it's a good story.

Meanwhile, two blocks over is an unpaved street. Now I know it costs a lot more to pave a street the first time than it does to repave, but it's a ridiculous inequity. The residents of the unpaved road finally got frustrated enough to pass an LID and pave it themselves.

What a bunch of babies. Boo Hoo! If ya don't like bumpy roads don't drive, ya whiners.
Try riding a bike everyday and not getting flipped to the ground by street car and Max rails. I doubt you get your head whipped backwards DRIVING over bumpy roads. Geez...cry me a river.

What a bunch of babies. Boo Hoo! If ya don't like bumpy roads don't drive, ya whiners.
Try riding a bike everyday and not getting flipped to the ground by street car and Max rails. I doubt you get your head whipped backwards DRIVING over bumpy roads. Geez...cry me a river.