State lawmakers will hear from Southern Oregonians with transportation concerns as part of a series of tours across the state exploring the condition of local roads, bridges, bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

Members of the Joint Committee on Transportation will hold a hearing that will include an Oregon Department of Transportation funding review at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, at the Mace Building of the Jackson County Expo, 1 Peninger Road, Central Point.

Those interested in testifying can register at the meeting starting 30 minutes before it begins. Those interested in sending written testimony can email JCT.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov.

To attend the meeting virtually, see olis.oregonlegislature.gov.

Ahead of the meeting, ODOT will partner with Rogue Valley Transportation District, city of Medford and Jackson County Roads officials for a bus tour of the area that will give them a first-hand look at Southern Oregon’s roads and bridges. According to an ODOT email, the tour is part of tours across 12 parts of the state to help legislators and officials see how cutbacks in staff levels and maintenance spending have impacted infrastructure.

Since June, the Joint Transportation Committee has explored roads and transportation systems in downtown Portland, Tillamook, Albany and Eugene. The committee and local legislators will explore Coos Bay Wednesday and the Medford area Thursday.

The tour is linked to funding challenges that transportation agencies in Oregon are facing due to declining gas tax revenues, but are also linked to cost increases due to inflation and restrictions on available funds.