The Cost of Congestion to
the Economy of the Portland Region

Executive Summary
December 2005

Prepared for: Portland Business Alliance, Metro, Port of Portland and Oregon
Department of Transportation
Prepared by: Economic Development Research Group, Inc., Boston, MA

Conclusion:
The region’s economy is transportation-dependent. Despite Portland’s excellent rail, marine, highway and air connections to national and international destinations, projected growth in freight and general traffic cannot be accommodated on the current system. Increasing congestion -- even with currently planned improvements -- will significantly impact the region’s ability to maintain and grow business, as well as our quality of life.

Action is needed to remain competitive with other regions that are planning large investments in their transportation infrastructure. This report finds that:

• Being a trade hub, Portland's competitiveness is largely dependent on efficient transportation, and congestion threatens the region’s economic vitality.

• Businesses are reporting that traffic congestion is already costing them money.

• Failure to invest adequately in transportation improvements will result in a potential loss value of $844 million annually by 2025 – that’s $782 per household -- and 6,500 jobs. It equates to 118,000 hours of vehicle travel per day – that’s 28 hours of
  travel time per household annually;

• Additional regional investment in transportation would generate a benefit of at least $2 for each dollar spent. Rest of the E