Item B: I-5/Franklin Update - Laserfiche WebLink

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ATTACHMENT A }Oregon Region 2 Headquarters Theodore R. Kulongoski, Governor 455 Airport Road SE Building B Salem, Oregon 97301-5395 Telephone (503) 986-2600 Fax (503) 986-2630 April 13, 2005 Mr. Mike Kelly City of Springfield 225 Fifth Street Springfield, OR 97477 Dear Mr. Kelly: Thank you for your March 21 letter about an I-5/Franklin Interchange. I think all parties have been clear about their goals - ODOT must construct a new bridge by 2012 and the City of Springfield would like to include an interchange project. Less clear has been the steps we need to take together to accomplish both goals. I will be very clear in this letter. We will construct a new I-5/Willamette Bridge by 2012 using OTIA III Bridge Funding. This will not be easy. While we are confident that a full Environmental Impact Study (ELS) will not be required for the bridge replacement, we anticipate the required environmental work will take two years, followed by two years of design and any needed right-of-way acquisition. Finally, we anticipate two years to complete construction of the new bridge. I understand that you would like one ElS conducted for both the bridge and the interchange projects. The interchange will require a full ElS which will result in delaying construction of the bridge until the environmental work is completed. This is not a feasible option. The interchange ramps will have to be built after the bridge is completed. The need to study and potentially build an interchange after the current bridge replacement should not be a major concern to the City. First, unless it is physically impossible, we will design and build the bridge so that ramps can be added. Second, ODOT remains committed to providing $2.75 million to fund an ElS for a full interchange at Franklin Boulevard. Third, it is entirely possible that the interchange project will be ready to move forward within 3 years if the City and metropolitan area update their transportation plans and complete 'the necessary land use actions to include the full interchange and related improvements.