Your Daily Guide

$3B for Rose Quarter Project

The project to widen I-5 at the Rose Quarter will cost 50% more than previously projected. It’s not the first time the project’s costs have risen substantially, the Oregonian’s Carlos Fuentes reports. [Oregonian]

• Lack of funding: The state has only a fraction of the funding needed for the project: just $480 million. In fact, that's part of why the price tag has increased: Doing the project in stages as funding becomes available costs even more, Oregon Department of Transportation officials told the Oregonian. [Oregonian]
• Reminder: In May, more than 80% of voters supported the repeal of a 6-cent gas tax increase intended to fund transportation. Figuring out how to address transportation funding will be a priority for next year’s legislative session. [Oregon Capitol Chronicle]
• Next steps: ODOT officials say they’ll leave it up to the Legislature to decide whether to narrow the Rose Quarter project's scope or come up with the full funding needed. The project currently includes not just a highway expansion but capping the highway and restoring some city streets, too. [Oregonian]
• ⚠️ Highway closure next month: But ODOT is already beginning work on the project: I-5 southbound will be completely closed from I-405 to I-84 for up to five weeks, starting Sept. 11.

Widespread Drought in Oregon

Oregon is experiencing the most extensive drought in four years, which carries its own challenges but is impacting the state’s significant wildfire season too. Nearly all of the state is drier than normal; specifically, 88% of the state is experiencing some level of drought. [KLCC via OPB]

Double Digit Increase for Health Insurance

Health insurance premiums are expected to rise by an average of 16% for individuals and small businesses that buy their plans on the state's health insurance exchange. Congress eliminated some pandemic-era subsidies (for individuals that’s anyone making above $63,840, or more than 400% of the federal poverty line). These costs are now passed on directly to 120,000 Oregonians. [Oregon Capitol Chronicle]

Rallying To Reopen an East Portland Grocery Store

The former owner of the shuttered Grocery Outlet in Parkrose is working to reopen an independent grocery at that location. East Portland has fewer grocery stores than the rest of the city, and City Hall and local residents are getting behind the effort — but it still faces some tough challenges. [City Cast Portland 🎧]