Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 731 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Here’s a comprehensive overview of Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 731 — Department of Transportation, updated as of May 10, 2025:
🛣️ Chapter Structure: Divisions & Focus Areas
Division 1 – Procedural Rules (§731‑001‑0000 to .0730)
Includes notice of rulemaking, definitions, public records standards, mediation confidentiality, and adoption of AG Model Rules of Procedure under ORS 183.341(oregon.public.law, oregon.public.law).
Division 3 – Interagency Services
Covers ODOT’s coordination with state agencies(oregon.public.law, oregon.gov).
Division 5 – Public Contract Rules; Highway & Bridge Projects
Governs public procurement processes: bid procedures, electronic procurement, evaluation, protests, performance security, clean diesel standards, environmental product declarations, and community-benefit programs(regulations.justia.com).
Division 7 – Public Improvement Contracts; Highway & Bridge Construction
Addresses construction contract administration and oversight(oregon.public.law, co.yamhill.or.us).
Division 12 – Oregon Secretary of State
Establishes processes for reviewing and approving route changes that may reduce vehicle-carrying capacity, including public forums and certification procedures(regulations.justia.com).
Division 15 – Coordination Rules
Rules for coordination across ODOT programs(oregon.public.law, oregon.gov).
Division 17 – Economic Development Projects Not Meeting TPR Requirements
Outlines a process for state highways handling projects that don’t meet Transportation Planning Rule standards(oregon.public.law).
Division 20 – Methods of Establishing Gross Weights of Trucks
Methods and standards for determining truck weights(oregon.public.law).
Division 30 – Oregon Transportation Infrastructure Fund
Defines fund use, eligibility, and allocations(oregon.public.law).
Division 35 – Connect Oregon Grant Eligibility & Applications
Sets grant standards, application procedures, and updates for bicycle/pedestrian eligibility under federal grants; recently amended effective May 8, 2025(oregon.gov).
Division 36 – Multimodal Active Transportation Fund
For active transportation infrastructure funding(oregon.public.law).
Division 40 – Tollway Projects
Rules for toll establishment, rates, and operations; many amended or repealed late 2024(oregon.public.law, oregon.gov).
Division 50 – Highway Projects
Guidelines specific to highway infrastructure projects(oregon.public.law).
Divisions 60, 70 – Includes Commercial Products Development (repealed) and Innovative Partnerships Program(oregon.public.law).
Divisions 80 & 90 – Road User Fee & Road Usage Charge Programs
Details pilot programs for road usage charges(oregon.public.law).
Division 145 – Jurisdictional Transfers
Rules for transferring road jurisdiction between agencies(regulations.justia.com).
Divisions 146–149 – Public Contracting & Consultant Selection
General provisions for procurement of goods, services, construction, and consultant contracts, adopting Model Rules from Chapter 137; Division 147 implements ORS 279B procurement rules(law.cornell.edu).
🔄 Recent & Notable Updates
Division 1 (Public Records) – Amendments made January 16, 2025 to modernize records processing procedures(oregon.gov).
Division 5 (Public Contracts) – Environmental product declaration requirements added Dec 5, 2024; clean diesel standard also revised(oregon.gov).
Division 35 (Connect Oregon) – Updated May 8, 2025 to include multi-modal grant coordination with federal matching(oregon.gov).
Division 40 (Tollways) – New toll project rules adopted, several rules repealed, effective Dec 5, 2024(oregon.gov).
📝 Summary: Purpose & Enforcement
Procedural foundations (Div 1–3): rules on notices, interagency coordination, and administrative procedures.
Procurement & finance (Div 5–7, 146–149): governs ODOT’s contracting processes for projects, goods, services, and consultations.
Program-specific guidance (Div 12,15,17,20,30,35,36,40,50,80,90,145): addresses planning, fund eligibility, tolling, active transportation, jurisdictional transfers, and innovative financing.
Ongoing modernization: Recent updates reflect evolving public-records practices, environmental standards, toll implementation, and funding mechanisms.
✅ How Can I Help Next?
Want the full text of a specific section (e.g., procurement rules or tollway details)?
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