Mayor Ted Wheeler Is Also Withdrawing Support for ODOT’s Rose Quarter Project

After the Albina Vision Trust pulls out, elected officials are voting with their feet.

Interstate 5 through the Rose Quarter. (Henry Cromett)
By Nigel Jaquiss

Mayor Ted Wheeler has joined Commissioner Chloe Eudaly, who oversees the Portland Bureau of Transportation, and Multnomah County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson in abandoning the Oregon Department of Transportation's controversial proposal to widen Interstate 5 at the Rose Quarter.

The Racial Justice Group Albina Vision Trust Withdraws Its Support For I-5 Rose Quarter Expansion. It's a significant blow to the freeway widening project

Enthusiasm from local elected officials for the $800 million project was never very strong, and when the Albina Vision Trust announced this morning it was dropping its support for ODOT's plan, they exited as well.

Wheeler said in a statement that he's out, too.

"Community leadership and involvement is critical at this juncture in the process," Wheeler said in a statement.

"With the history of transportation infrastructure dividing communities, it is critical that entities like Albina Vision, which champions restorative justice, equity and forward thinking, are at the table for this process. At every step, I have asked ODOT for specific goals to be met around climate, community and economic development. Those goals have not been met. Therefore, I am withdrawing my support."

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.