Item 2A - Minutes Approval - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

B. WORK SESSION: Grade-Separated Ramp Connections for the I-5/Willamette River Bridge City Engineer Mark Schoening joined the council for the item. He noted that Lane County Area Manager Bob Pirrie, Mr. Boyatt, Project Leader Ann Sanders, and Project Environmental Manager Susan Vickers of ODOT were also present for the item. Mr. Schoening referred to the planned Interstate 5 Willamette River Bridge replacement project and the proposal made by Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken and Mayor Torrey to include ramp connections from Franklin Boulevard. He said that in such projects, ODOT had an expectation of local resources from local governments for transportation system planning and engineering support. ODOT would do most of the technical work needed to implement the project. The City's Public Works Department had some flexibility to adjust its work plan to shift the project to a higher priority and the Planning Division had some funding to address emerging issues. Mr. Schoening noted the letter provided to the council from ODOT Planning Manager Jack Lee to mayors Torrey and Leiken. The letter was to clarify ODOT's commitment to consider grade-separated ramp connections between the planned I-5 replacement bridge and Franklin Boulevard. Mr. Pirrie emphasized ODOT's directive to complete land use planning for projects prior to engaging in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. He offered several examples of ODOT projects that implemented the directive. Mr. Boyatt added that ODOT had experienced challenges back loading land use and planning at the end of a NEPA process. The directive ensured that ODOT had a technically legitimate project from a transportation system operations standpoint. All environmental red flags were identified in the process, and ODOT ensured that it had local support for the project prior to making the investment in the technical project development phase. Mr. Boyatt distributed the first two pages of a work order contract for the I-5 Willamette River Crossing developed by ODOT in consultation with its consultant, CH2M Hill, to ensure the systems planning work was addressed to demonstrate how the process worked. Mr. Boyatt acknowledged the commitment made by ODOT to the local community in regard to the project. He said that ODOT had moved the project to the "front burner" and had managed to identify about $180,000 in available funding to spend between now and June 30, 2005, with another $200,000 proposed for the upcoming biennium to complete the work needed. He said that ODOT needed the elected and appointed officials as well as local staff to be "on board" for the project. Mayor Torrey solicited questions. Ms. Bettman said she would like to see a price tag for the local systems planning effort. She endorsed ODOT's decision to complete land use and planning prior to going through the NEPA process. She asked what the City's public involvement process for the project would look like and how it would be funded. Ms. Bettman wanted to see a proposal come back in a form the council could endorse. Ms. Bettman asked if separated grade connections referred to flyovers. Mr. Pirrie said that could be an alternative considered. Responding to a question from Ms. Bettman, City Manager Taylor indicated the council would have several opportunities to discuss the project. Mr. Kelly was supportive of the concept of a full interchange at the location in question. However, he was concerned by the letter from Mr. Lee because it lacked detail about the public process envisioned during the "non-NEPA" phase of the project. Mr. Kelly recommended the use of a stakeholders group similar to that used for the Beltline/I-5 project to ensure a project design that worked from a transportation MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 17, 2004 Page 5 Work Session