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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Work Session: Interstate 5/Franklin Boulevard Update Meeting Date: May 11, 2004 Agenda Item Number: B Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Chris Henry www. cl. eugene, or. us Contact Telephone Number: (541) 682-8472 ISSUE STATEMENT This work session is an opportunity for the City Council to receive information from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) on the second phase of system refinement planning and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes needed to consider grade separated ramp connections between Interstate 5 0-5) and Franklin Boulevard. BACKGROUND The Oregon Transportation Investment Act (OTIA III) includes programmed funds for the replacement of the I-5 bridge structure across the Willamette River. The planned new interstate bridge over the river has generated significant interest in assessing freeway ramp connections at this location as part of the permanent bridge project. Due to several key factors including the OTIA bonding and construction timeframes, lack of existing system planning for a new freeway connection to the metro area at this location, and uncertainty about design considerations, cost, and funding in the context of regional priorities, ODOT will pursue the NEPA process on the OTIA III permanent bridge separately from refinement planning and NEPA documentation for potential ramp connections. Note that it is expected that the permanent bridge will be designed to accommodate potential future ramp connections to the freeway. (See Attachment A: letter presented to the Metropolitan Policy Committee (MPC) indicating ODOT's financial commitment to environmental study of an interchange.) During Phase 1 of the process, ODOT conducted a "groundcheck," assessing the existing conditions and needs for the proposed bridge and ramp connections. A series of stakeholder interviews were conducted, and a project management team was developed, including staff from the City of Eugene, City of Springfield, Lane County, ODOT, FHWA and Lane Transit District. The outcome of Phase 1 is the proposed work approach for Phase 2 and subsequent phases. (See Attachment B: summary of project area stakeholder interviews conducted during Phase 1 .) The second phase of transportation system planning is envisioned as a high level community dialogue and decision process. The decision process includes technical work such as conceptual design evaluation and preliminary traffic and environmental analysis, as well as an open public process with appointed and elected officials, citizens and stakeholder groups. The outcome of the proposed decision process is anticipated as a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" decision by the three local governments and ODOT to proceed with more detailed analysis that supports amendments to local Transportation System Plans, and the federal Regional Transportation Plan (Phase 3). L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M050511\S050511B.doc