The Abernathy Bridge Toll Is “Shelved — But Not Dead”

If you cross the Abernathy Bridge regularly, there’s a major update you should know — and it’s not as final as it might sound.

At the 2026 State of the City address, Oregon City Mayor Denise McGriff confirmed that the proposed tolling plan for the Abernathy Bridge has been officially shelved.

But she was very clear about something important: it is not gone for good.

What “Shelved” Actually Means

In public policy terms, “shelved” usually means a proposal has been paused or set aside — not approved, but not permanently rejected either.

That distinction matters here.

Mayor McGriff emphasized that while the tolling idea is not active right now, it could return in the future depending on state transportation funding needs.

And she didn’t soften that message — she said it directly:
shelved… but not dead.

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Six Years of Local Pushback

Oregon City officials have been actively opposing toll proposals affecting the Abernathy Bridge for years.

The city’s leadership — including the mayor and commissioners — has taken a very visible stance, even participating in public events wearing anti-toll messaging shirts during official state-related appearances.

Their position has been consistent: keeping essential commuter routes accessible without additional toll burdens.

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Why This Keeps Coming Up

Transportation funding in Oregon remains a long-term challenge.

As infrastructure costs rise, state-level agencies continue to explore funding models that include tolling as one potential option.

That’s why proposals like this don’t always disappear permanently — they tend to reappear in different forms over time.

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What This Means for Drivers

For now, daily commuters across Oregon City, West Linn, and surrounding areas will not see toll implementation on the Abernathy Bridge.

But the conversation is not closed.

It’s paused — not resolved.

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Why It Matters Locally

This isn’t just a policy headline — it affects how people move through South Clackamas County every day.

Even a proposed toll can influence:

• commuting patterns
• housing decisions
• traffic flow across the region
• long-term transportation planning

That’s why local officials and residents continue to pay attention.

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Final Thought

The Abernathy Bridge toll proposal may be off the table today — but it’s still part of a larger statewide conversation about how Oregon funds its transportation system.

And according to city leadership, that conversation is far from over.

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Jennifer Schurter serves buyers, sellers, and investors throughout South Clackamas County and the North Willamette Valley — including Canby, Oregon City, Wilsonville, Aurora, Hubbard, Molalla, Woodburn, Newberg, Sherwood, Tualatin, West Linn, Lake Oswego, and the greater Portland metro south. Her goal is simple: to be the most knowledgeable, most responsive, and most genuinely helpful real estate agent in the area — every single time. Jennifer is a licensed Oregon real estate broker with Real Broker LLC.

Ready to talk through your next move? Schedule a time with Jennifer here. No pressure, no pitch — just a real conversation.