In Oregon, heavy vehicles (over 13 tons) don’t pay gas taxes, they pay a weight-mile tax that is based on their mileage in the state. To make sure that local transportation funding is collected in a way that accounts for freight as well as residential use of the transportation system, the City Council passed a heavy vehicle use tax in May 2016, the same month Portland voters approved a 10-cent gas tax. This way, companies operating trucks over 13 tons paid their fair share for road repair, too.

This tax generated $1.8 million for the 2016 tax year, the first year of collection. PBOT is projected to collect another $5.4 million before the heavy-vehicle use tax expires or is reauthorized by City Council in 2020.

Questions or comments about Fixing Our Streets may be submitted to: fixingourstreets@portlandoregon.gov.

 Heavy Vehicle Tax Paving Projects 2018

North Marine Drive: North Kelly Point Park to Leadbetter

North Lombard Street: North Ramsey to 2,500 feet north

North Going Street: Interstate Blvd to I-5 ramp