The Federal Highway Administration has given Oregon what it needs to move forward into the next phase of implementing tolling on Interstates 5 and 205. The highway agency sent the Oregon Department of Transportation a letter Tuesday that outlined the federal requirements to implement tolls on interstate highways.

“This is a major step that will help us keep moving forward in what will be a long process,” Tammy Baney, chair of the Oregon Transportation Commission, said in a press release. “In this letter, the (Federal Highway Administration) acknowledges the work completed in our feasibility analysis and points us toward the next steps we need to take to use tolling in Oregon to help us maintain a transportation system that will meet our growing needs.”

The letter responds to three issues Oregon needs to address to move forward: first, eligibility under federal tolling programs; second, required analysis to receive needed classification under the National Environmental Policy Act; and third, an anticipated timeline and any opportunities to streamline project review.

The Federal Highway Administration said Oregon’s proposals need additional detail before they can determine eligibility. However, tolling on I-5 between Southwest Multnomah Boulevard and North Going Street, and on I-205 near the Abernethy Bridge and Stafford Road, are likely eligible under the Value Pricing Pilot Program. The program allows local governments to establish tolling aimed at reducing congestion.

The highway administration also said before Oregon proceeds with its analysis, it needs to better define its proposed project and potential impact. Oregon will need to define tolling alternatives, as well as how it would establish tolling, given a fiscally constrained transportation plan. It will also need to evaluate tolling methods and rates while considering environmental justice impacts and the impacts of traffic diversion.