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[Alps]

I agree with roadguy2. I see Metro using the toll money to fund new light rail projects. Given the way I've heard the roads are in Portland, this seems the most likely scenario.

Isn’t this scenario a violation of federal law?

The rule for tolling Interstates is that it has to be on bridges and the revenue has to be used on that roadway for improvements. So what would happen is that all of the improvements along the I-5/205 corridor would be funded by these tolls, freeing up revenue currently spent on the corridor to be used for transit. In essence the tolls would then end up paying for transit, but indirectly. Not that that's how they would do it, but that's probably how they would have to do it to survive a legal challenge.

[vdeane]

Of course, who knows how long that rule will last given Trump's infrastructure proposal.

[sp_redelectric]

So what would happen is that all of the improvements along the I-5/205 corridor would be funded by these tolls, freeing up revenue currently spent on the corridor to be used for transit. In essence the tolls would then end up paying for transit, but indirectly

Such would violate the Oregon Constitution.  The monies freed up would go right back in ODOT's account, to be used for however ODOT sees fit.

Metro doesn't receive state gas tax funding; it merely has a say in how money is spent within its jurisdiction.  Tolling freeways in Portland is just a sure-fire way for ODOT to spend the money outside of the Metro, since there is no requirement other than that gas tax money has to be spent on highways - and not light rail.