Residents and advocacy groups tell commissions tolling I‑5 alone will divert traffic and harm East Portland

Public comment dominated the opening hour of the joint meeting, with several speakers warning that tolling I‑5 without tolling I‑205 would force drivers onto already-congested local roads.

Joe Courtright, director of City Observatory, said the investment-grade analysis suggests daily I‑5 crossings could drop from roughly 127,000 vehicles to about 77,000 once tolls begin, creating massive diversion to I‑205. "There will be massive traffic diversion to I‑205," Courtright said, and he asked that the full investment-grade analysis be released so the public can vet it. Zachary Lauritzen of Oregon Walks echoed that point, telling commissioners that diversion would worsen safety on known dangerous arterials such as Powell Boulevard and 82nd Avenue.

Other callers focused on cost and process: Bruce Barnes and Kimberly Goheen Elben criticized rising cost estimates and consultant spending, Margaret Tweed raised concerns about light-rail cost overruns and lack of a local vote in Clark County, and Sharon Nasett of ThirdBridgeNow.org said alternatives removed from NEPA deserve scrutiny. Several commenters urged that low-income toll discounts be implemented at the start of tolling, not delayed.