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It is critical that the Cities of Springfield and Eugene and the Metropolitan Planning <br />Organization (MPO) begin working to update their transportation plans, solidify their <br />priorities, and secure any critical land use approvals as soon as possible. This work <br />must be done before we will initiate the ElS for the interchange. We have learned <br />through experience that a solid system planning foundation is necessary for projects to <br />move successfully through the environmental and project development process. We <br />have committee $500,000 to your local planning effort and ODOT region staff is ready <br />to provide the technical information, the needed transportation system improvements, <br />preliminary cost estimates and documentation necessary for the metropolitan area to <br />complete the required system planning. We will work closely with you to complete this <br />task expeditiously. <br /> <br />ODOT has previously said we would fund an ElS for the interchange - and we will <br />follow through on that commitment provided that the Cities and MPO do their part as <br />well, including the transportation planning and land use work. I am optimistic that we <br />can build a new bridge and position the interchange project to move forward if we work <br />together towards both goals. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />Jeff Scheick <br />Region 2 Manager <br /> <br />cc: Congressman Peter DeFazio <br /> Commissioner Bobby Green, Lane County <br /> Mayor Sid Leiken, City of Springfield <br /> Mayor Kitty Piercy, City of Eugene <br /> Dennis Taylor, City of Eugene <br /> Ollie Snowden, Lane County <br /> Doug Tindall, ODOT <br /> <br /> <br />