Podcasts about odot

06.13.25 Pam Cook is joined by Justin Chesnic with ODOT

06.06.25

The Oregon legislature is about to pass Senate Bill 1182, which would authorize the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to give away the half-billion dollar, four-acre, I-5 lid over the Rose Quarter—plus all property and development rights and contracts—to a single black-owned nonprofit, the Albina Vision Trust or AVT.ODOT's Design Summary for the cover states that a “Black-led, community development corporation” would control the property and development. AVT's leader states that “the Black community should be able to have both the land on the freeway caps and the jobs that come with building them.”This would qualify as denying opportunities to those who aren't Black, based solely upon their race. The Supreme Court outlawed this practice two years ago in Fair Admissions v. Harvard when the majority wrote, “ameliorating societal discrimination does not constitute a compelling interest that justifies race-based state action.”In other words, SB1182 would support construction and ownership opportunities that violate state and federal laws prohibiting race-based discrimination. Handing over public assets to a private organization who plans to hire only Black contractors will simply invite litigation, and legislators should be ashamed of themselves for approving it.The Governor should veto SB1182.

05.30.25 Pam Cook is joined by ODOT's Justin Chesnic to disscuss upcoming proejcts in and aorund Stark County

Rumor is that Merkley may not run again so which Republican should challenge him? https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2025/05/jeff-merkley-hasnt-said-hell-step-down-from-the-us-senate-but-some-top-oregon-democrats-have-registered-websites-just-in-case.html Kotek provides cover for Dems massive cost of living transportation tax increase with fake letter to ODOT demanding immediate accountability: https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2025/05/gov-tina-kotek-presses-oregon-department-of-transportation-to-improve-its-performance.html OR House R's try to pull wildfire risk map bill from committee that Dems are holding hostage: https://www.opb.org/article/2025/05/29/oregon-republicans-say-dems-delaying-vote-on-wildfire-map-repeal-to-get-votes-for-wildfire-funding/ OR Senate passes bad 2A gun bill because Republicans wont walk out: https://www.opb.org/article/2025/05/29/oregon-senate-passes-hotly-contested-gun-bill/ OFF doesn't hold back: https://www.oregonfirearms.org/category/off-alerts Trump needs to go rouge on rouge judges unconstitutionally stopping his agenda: https://thefederalist.com/2025/05/30/by-appeasing-rogue-judges-trump-legitimizes-leftists-judicial-coup/ Federalist Society being hit by Trump for bad judge recommendations: https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/05/trump-goes-federalist-society-recommending-judges-when-he/   

Once upon a time, Oregon blew up a whale carcass on the beach near Florence.  The news broadcast of the event has now been viewed millions of times all over the world.  If you needed a palate cleanser, we got you.   Sources Video of the broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CLumsir34 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploding_whale https://web.archive.org/web/20220527115433/https://tourism.oregonstate.edu/the-case-of-the-exploding-whale/ https://www.milb.com/news/emeralds-announce-exploding-whale-alternate-identity https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2013/10/george_thornton_the_odot_engin.html https://www.offbeatoregon.com/H001_ExplodWhale.html https://www.theexplodingwhale.com/evidence/resources/dave-barry-article/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesman-journal-road-crews-to-blow-up/63143771/ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/thar-she-blows/ https://web.archive.org/web/20110717092953/http://tafkac.org/animals/exploding.whale/son_of_blubber.html https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KOdVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6114%2C3133152 https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2020/11/12/fifty-years-later-florence-oregon-embraces-tale-exploding-whale/6259171002/ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/20/us/exploding-whale-memorial-park.html https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoryPorn/comments/1abd0qa/a_whale_carcass_explodes_on_a_beach_in_florence/ https://emeralds.milbstore.com/collections/exploding-whales/Department_T-Shirts https://www.opb.org/artsandlife/series/history/florence-oregon-whale-explosion-history/ https://katu.com/news/local/exploding-whale-day-54-years-since-whale-infamously-blown-up-on-oregon-beach https://katu.com/news/local/florence-locals-celebrate-50th-anniversary-of-exploding-whale-11-15-2020# https://www.theexplodingwhale.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Exploding-Whale-Other-Remarkable-Stories/dp/1558687432/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WZMJGBW9ZM3H&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TRp-LQjLHkqwOdOo5q1UTlZ2g6xk_ayAssrLOKY-BCvVZ1Bwd7aYyvy7DLz4U5rzJHK7itIJbj5FMEcKnifeRA.A-jFUoQiUAcIqrD-CdtVscoIDSS7amVZBWa8osHnxW8&dib_tag=se&keywords=exploding+whale+book&qid=1748144103&sprefix=exploding+whale+book%2Caps%2C337&sr=8-1 https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/registerguard/name/walter-umenhofer-obituary?id=17951162  

05.23.25 Pam Cook is joined by ODOT's Justin Chesnic

Plymouth’s West Broadway Street bridge has been closed for nearly three years, but progress is finally underway. At a recent town hall, residents heard from ODOT and Richland Engineering about updated designs, a tight funding deadline, and what to expect next. The village now has until next summer to award a construction contract. If all goes as planned, the rebuilt bridge could reopen soon after, with new safety features and improved drainage. Fellowship: https://www.richlandsource.com/source-media-journalism-fellowship/ Support the show: https://richlandsource.com/membersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police investigation into death of Kei'mani LatigueThe process and police work that goes into something so gut-wrenching and emotional with guest Mike Haynes, President of Toledo Police Patrolman's Association.African American Legacy ProjectHonoring the 2025 Sports Legends Hall of Fame class and the leadership who works to make sure the recognition and tradition is there with Robert Smith, African American Legacy Project Director.Ohio Department of Transportation upcoming projectsMore diverging diamonds are on their way to northwest Ohio. ODOT District 2's Patrick McColley clues us in on the when and the why of the projects.

Pam Cook is joiend by Justin Chesnic with ODOT

05.09.25 Pam Cook is joined by ODOT's Justin Chesnic

There's finally a card that rewards you for the one expense that's been completely ignored in the points world: your mortgage. In this episode, I'm talking with Kelley Halpin, CEO of Mesa, about the first credit card that lets you earn points for mortgage payments—plus other major homeowner expenses like daycare, utilities, and home improvement. Kelley shares what makes the Mesa card unique, how its rewards system works, and why it's designed to serve a segment of consumers that's long been overlooked by traditional credit card programs. If you've ever wished one of your biggest monthly bills could earn serious points—this card just might become your new favorite. Make sure to check out the Mesa Homeowners Card - no annual fee, earns points on your mortgage and comes with $800+ in home benefits! Use my referral link to get 5,000 bonus points when you get approved. https://mesa.onelink.me/odOT/gge86l53?referral_code=htx8f5 Use my code to apply: htx8f5 Terms apply.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/mesa-credit-card-earn-points-mortgage/   Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of!   Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

05.02.25 Pam Cook is joined by ODOT's Justin Chesnic

04.25.25 The Latest from ODOT's Justin Chesnic

Feds threaten ODOT with cutting off all transportation money because of  OR's DEI/ Illegal alien drivers licenses: https://www.wweek.com/news/2025/04/24/feds-threaten-oregon-transportation-funding-over-dei-and-drivers-license-policies/ USDA reminds states not to give food stamps to illegals: OR has bill to spend OR taxdollars for illegals to get food stamps: https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/usda-directs-states-to-make-sure-illegal-immigrants-dont-receive-food-stamps-5847396?ea_src=frontpage&ea_cnt=a&ea_med=latest-news-posts-0 Trump orders DOJ to investigate Dems ACTBLUE fundraising platform: https://www.breitbart.com/news/trump-orders-justice-department-to-investigate-democrats-top-fundraising-platform/ NM judge who resigned cause he was housing illegal alien gang member gets arrested by FBI along with his wife: https://x.com/Wid_Lyman/status/1915538877839810973 

04.18.25 Pam Cook is joined by DOT's Justin Chesnic

A significant crack in the Dems anti gun wall: https://www.oregonfirearms.org/category/off-alerts The worm is turning: Oregonian editorial board hits Kotek/Dems for new ODOT package: https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025/04/editorial-oregons-massive-transportation-tax-plan-needs-better-guardrails.html Dems new 33 taxes: https://oregoncatalyst.com/86716-upcoming-2025-taxes-post-april-15th-taxes-worse.html Liberal U of O study warns of mass business exodus cause OR overtaxed and overregulated: https://www.dailytidings.com/oregon-faces-economic-exodus-as-businesses-flee-tax-burdens-and-regulatory-hurdles-report-warns/ Trump will have tariff's on Iphones/computers after all, but not reciprocal: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/13/trump-commerce-chief-says-not-like-a-permanent-sort-of-exemption-for-phones-computers.html  

More than one in five bridges in Oregon was in “distressed” condition in 2024. That’s according to the Oregon Department of Transportation’s annual bridge condition report. Oregon also has the fewest number of bridges in “good” condition as determined by federal standards compared to six other Western states. Under ideal conditions, ODOT says it would be able to replace 27 of those bridges per year. But with its current resources, it’s only on pace to replace three.  Tova Peltz is a statewide capital program engineer at ODOT. She joins us with an update on how the state’s bridges are faring.

Sterling talks with Kathleen Fuller of ODOT about how they are handling the flooding caused by the April showers, Kevin Carr talks movies, Dr. Donna Schlagheck tells us more about Trump's tariffs that recently went into place plus your phone calls.

Sterling talks with Kathleen Fuller of ODOT about how they are handling the flooding caused by the April showers, Kevin Carr talks movies, Dr. Donna Schlagheck tells us more about Trump's tariffs that recently went into place plus your phone calls.

Sterling talks with Kathleen Fuller of ODOT about how they are handling the flooding caused by the April showers, Kevin Carr talks movies, Dr. Donna Schlagheck tells us more about Trump's tariffs that recently went into place plus your phone calls.

ODOT is moving forward on the I-5 Rose Quarter expansion plan, despite still being short on the funding necessary to complete the project. Demand for detox beds has dropped. And Portland City Council is struggling to find space for public comment. City Cast director of digital strategy Bryan Vance and KBOO news director Althea Billings join executive producer John Notarianni for our Friday news roundup.  Discussed in today's episode:  Bryan Vance's New Newsletter [Stumptown Savings] Demand for Inpatient Drug Treatment in Portland Has Recently Dropped Off, Providers Report [KGW] Metro Says “Yes” To ODOT's I-5 Plan [Portland Mercury] Portland Struggling With ‘Confusing' Public Comment Rules in New Government [OPB] Join City Cast Portland at the 503 Day Block Party, Saturday, May 3, at downtown Portland's Ankeny Alley!! Details and RSVP here. Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here.  Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Instagram.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 4th episode: Bookshop.org - Use code CITYCAST to get 15% off your next order TEDx Portland - Use code RADIO13 for 13% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

04.04.25 Pam Cook is joined by ODOT's Justin Chesnic

Portland economist Joe Cortright says ODOT’s projects have a history of costing much more than initial estimates. He points to proposals like the I-5 Rose Quarter project which has been in the works for nearly a decade and is estimated to cost around $1.9 billion. The estimate in 2017 was $450 million. A Statesman Journal investigation found that ODOT’s projects were over budget and the agency was unable to track some of its funds and how they were spent. Cortright, the director of City Observatory, an urban policy think tank based in Portland, joins us with details of his concerns. In a statement, ODOT writes:Transportation agencies across the state face a structural revenue issue. This issue is driven by three causes: flattening and declining gas tax revenues as cars become more efficient, consistent inflation that eats away at the purchasing power of each dollar, and legal restrictions that prevent ODOT from using available dollars to fund maintenance and operations.While the Legislature increased the gas tax in recent years, revenues are now at their peak and are expected to flatten and decline in coming years. When you account for inflation, the buying power of that revenue source is set to dramatically decrease. ODOT’s major projects in the Portland metro area, supported by city, county, state, Metro and community leaders, have seen costs grow in recent years. However, the funds dedicated to these projects are specifically directed by the legislature to construction projects and cannot be used for day-to-day maintenance and operations of the highway system. We are forced to cut back on critical efforts like plowing snow and fixing potholes independent of funding these popular projects. The public and our partners have consistently told us they want us to do both. We take our responsibility to provide safe travel for all Oregonians very seriously. The last thing we want to do is let the system we built fall into disrepair. But because of how our funding is structured, we are increasingly forced to do so. We are focused on achieving sufficient and sustainable funding for maintenance and operations in this legislative session. We are increasingly optimistic that the legislature will take this opportunity to break the pattern of past legislatures and robustly fund the maintenance, operation and preservation of our transportation system.

Earlier this month, Oregon joined nine other states in meeting a goal to get 3.3 million electric vehicles on the road by 2025. That number is set to grow under a rule that requires all new passenger cars, SUVs and pickup trucks sold in Oregon to either be fully electric or plug-in hybrid electric by 2035.  But adopting cleaner, more fuel efficient vehicles also means that Oregon and other states are grappling with reduced revenues from gas taxes. Electric vehicle owners also don’t pay any gas tax, which have led states like Oregon to explore launching programs which charge motorists a fee based on how much they travel instead of how often they refill at the pump. The Oregon Department of Transportation has operated a voluntary, pay-by-mile program since 2015. Roughly 800 people are currently enrolled in OReGO, which charges participants 2 cents for every mile driven in Oregon. Joining us to talk about what’s been learned after a decade of this pilot program is Travis Brouwer, assistant director for revenue, finance and compliance at ODOT.  

Power restored for thousands in northwest Ohio after weekend storms; charges dropped against a Cincinnati firefighter who was accused of shooting two people; ODOT worker struck by a vehicle in Cleveland; state workers are back in the office after Governor DeWine orders an end to remote and hybrid work.

In 2017, Oregon lawmakers passed a transportation package that was expected to generate $5.3 billion. Eight years later, revenue forecasts show funding has fallen short of projections, leaving the Oregon Department of Transportation with an ongoing budget crisis. Audits have revealed that ODOT is failing to meet accountability measures set up in the legislation, and many of its projects are behind schedule and over budget. Anastasia Mason recently investigated the 2017 package for the Statesman Journal. She joins us to talk about what the findings could mean for ODOT as it prepares to make another big funding ask this legislative session.

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It's a Friday Night Sterling! He discusses the demonstration in Evendale, then he talks with Kathleen Fuller from ODOT to discuss I-471 re-opening, and Kevin Carr joins to discuss the latest in Movies and TV.

Sterling talks mental health with Marjorie Morrison of PsychHub, movies with Kevin Carr, updates on the 471 bridge with ODOT's Kathleen Fuller plus so much more.

Sterling talks mental health with Marjorie Morrison of PsychHub, movies with Kevin Carr, updates on the 471 bridge with ODOT's Kathleen Fuller plus so much more.

Sterling talks mental health with Marjorie Morrison of PsychHub, movies with Kevin Carr, updates on the 471 bridge with ODOT's Kathleen Fuller plus so much more.

Man charged with killing his father in Yellow Springs; Cleveland filed a lawsuit against the Browns in attempt to keep the team from moving; ODOT officials say they've had a record number of snowplow crashes this year; a Cincinnati-area woman went viral after posting a TikTok video about marijuana she found in her Burger King order.

Sandusky County school employee charged with raping a disabled student; Cleveland man dead after a crash with an ODOT snowplow; Vice President-elect JD Vance has resigned from his Senate seat; Maumee's city administrator says he's being threatened amid effort to recall him and other city officials.

Columbus police are investigating the death of a 4 year old child: ODOT plows have been in 14 crashes so far this winter; some changes are coming to Cedar Point; Miss Ohio placed in the top 5 at Miss America pageant.

ODOT says it is ready for winter weather set to hit the state; one dead after a New Year's Day shooting in Dayton; high school student in the Columbus area charged with assault and strangulation after allegedly causing another student to lose consciousness; OSU Buckeyes are Cotton Bowl-bound.

Welcome to a Thursday night Sterling show! Valerie Sokolosky joins the show to give tips on etiquette for re-gifting. Then, Kathlene Fuller from ODOT talks to Sterling about updates on the Big Mac Bridge. Stay tuned for a conversation about flying cars and football.

Welcome to a Thursday night Sterling show! Valerie Sokolosky joins the show to give tips on etiquette for re-gifting. Then, Kathlene Fuller from ODOT talks to Sterling about updates on the Big Mac Bridge. Stay tuned for a conversation about flying cars and football.

Dayton police are investigating after a body as found; there is harsh criticism over ODOT's handling of yesterday's snow storm in the northeastern part of the state; state lawmaker introduces bill that would make flag-planting a felony; the Columbus Crew wants to expand Lower dot com field.

ODOT prepares for wintry weather; house explosion near Cincinnati kills two; Ohio's marijuana producers say they aren't making as much money as they could due to state regulations; Athens County animal escape causes a commotion.

Sterling fills in for Garry Jeff Walker on this Monday night. He talks to former Cincinnati Sports anchor and mental health podcast host Brandon Saho, and Kathleen Fuller of ODOT for an update on the Big Mac Bridge.

Sterling talks with Dr. Donna Schlagheck about the outcome of the election, FC Cincinnati with Tommy Gelehrter, road closures and construction happening around Cincinnati with Kathleen Fuller of ODOT and movies with Kevin Carr.

Sterling talks with Dr. Donna Schlagheck about the outcome of the election, FC Cincinnati with Tommy Gelehrter, road closures and construction happening around Cincinnati with Kathleen Fuller of ODOT and movies with Kevin Carr.

Scott Sloan talks about the election and issues affecting Cincinnati. Talmage Boston, political analyst/historian, discusses polling the day before the election. Matt Bruning, Supreme Allied Commander of ODOT, breaks down the Big Mac Bridge repair timeline. Julie Hattershire talks about mental health during the election season. Frank LaRose, Ohio Secretary of State, talks about what is both acceptable and not acceptable at the polls. Steve Goodin breaks down the Hamilton County Prosecutor race.

Scott Sloan talks about the election and issues affecting Cincinnati. Talmage Boston, political analyst/historian, discusses polling the day before the election. Matt Bruning, Supreme Allied Commander of ODOT, breaks down the Big Mac Bridge repair timeline. Julie Hattershire talks about mental health during the election season. Frank LaRose, Ohio Secretary of State, talks about what is both acceptable and not acceptable at the polls. Steve Goodin breaks down the Hamilton County Prosecutor race.

Sterling talks with Board President of the League of Women voters, Matt Brunning from ODOT, Adam Hill from the Las Vegas Review Journal, andd Donna D, and

Sterling talks with Kathleen Fuller of ODOT about important highway closures in the Cincinnati area, Bengals with Charlie Goldsmith and movies with Kevin Carr. Sterling also takes your calls to hear your thoughts about government funding for hurricane-affected areas. All that and more!

As an adult living in Seattle, Shoreline and Mukilteo, WA, Tita considered herself apolitical. She researched candidates and issues and voted but she had no thoughts of being involved in local government. But, when she moved to Seaside in 2002, she started attending city council meetings, as well as commission, committee and board meetings because she thought that's what a responsible citizen should do. Within a couple of years she was elected to the board of the downtown development association and became the Chamber President. In 2004 she led a group which sued city hall for the right of citizens to vote on whether to allow ODOT to make 101 through Seaside into a five lane highway. Not many people can say they sued city hall and won! Not only did the citizens get to vote, 57% of those voting turned down ODOT's proposal which would have destroyed 17 businesses and more than 70 homes. You could say that most of the city council members were not her fans. When she ran for office in 2006, the other guy got ONE more vote than she; but, in 2010 she was both appointed and elected to the council where she has served the city of Seaside for the last 14 years. During her years in Seaside, Tita has also co-owned a fabric store, worked as the Business & Community Liaison at Tongue Point Job Corps Center as well as the executive director of the Seaside Downtown Development Association. She estimates she has served on twenty or so boards, councils and commissions during the past 22 years. And this is the person who just had her sights on being a Library Board member when she moved to Seaside.

Oregon DOT workers talk about making walking and biking to school safer for kids

State Senator and Sec of State candidate Dennis Linthicum reports on the transportation meeting at the expo Thurs Night, with the SOS audit power is so important when dealing with ODOT. D62 quiz and some open phones follow.