There are some officials who'd like to toll portions of a few roadways to lessen traffic in and around Portland.

But that is a bandage approach to traffic congestion in one area while ignoring growing gridlock in other portions of Oregon.

Last week, the Oregon Transportation Commission voted to seek federal approval to toll two segments of some of the busiest stretches of freeway in the Portland metropolitan area.

Tolling all lanes of 7 miles of Interstate 5 in Portland and all lanes of I-205 between Oregon City and West Linn was met with a lukewarm reception by some motorists who contacted the Statesman Journal.

Tolling couldn't happen before the middle of the next decade, but the number of vehicles on the roads continues to increase.

Yes, tolls can work, as evidenced in Southern California and Washington state.

But alternatives to bottlenecks must be made up and down the I-5 corridor, from Vancouver, Washington to Eugene, not just in Portland.

Background:ODOT plan to toll I-5, I-205 in Portland area approved by state commission

Already outdated:Oregon to seek federal approval for interstate tolls

U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio, a Democrat from Oregon's 4th District, which includes Eugene, said tolls inOregon would happen over his "dead body."

He told the Statesman Journal on Tuesday that the federal government "is not a good partner" and that there has to be more federal funding made available for alternatives to tolling.

"(The commission) is trying to price people off I-5 and I-205 with tolls," DeFazio said. "The proposal is for such a small segment of I-205 that trucks will jump off before the toll, travel on city streets and get back on after the toll. It doesn't make any sense ... . A solution does not include punishing people for finding more affordable housing outside of Portland. I'm for giving people options."

Tolling might help build more lanes, but more immediate solutions are necessary, too.

State officials need to get over being Portland-centric.

Traffic on I-5 routinely backs up daily approaching Wilsonville. And Woodburn has its own slowdowns despite having had its outlet-mall exits and onramps improved.

And one stalled car on theMarion or Center street bridges slams the brakes on getting to the office or dinner on time.

Traffic isn't going to get better. As the state considers solutions, there should be more plans for high-occupancy vehicle lanes (commuter lanes), a third bridge to and from Polk County in Salem, and rapid transit options to outlying suburbs including Salem and Woodburn.

Until the federal government allows Oregon to toll its interstates, it's time to explore other options such as restricting all lanes to one way during peak commuter hours. If the feds approve tolling, Oregon should embrace "high occupancy toll" (HOT) lanes.

HOT lanes typically let carpoolers travel for free. Hundreds of miles of these toll lanes already are operating in or around Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Miami, Washington, D.C., and other cities.

Oregon is woefully unprepared to move the typical lone driver out of his or her car. Let's start working on reducing today's congestion by doing things like incentivizing carpools and expanding mass transportation. Don't wait for tolling.

Carol McAlice Currie is the opinions editor for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at ccurrie@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6746.

