CC Minutes - 06/18/03 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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process for the replacement bridge. He added the format and the techniques that were applied to the stakeholder Beltline, 1-5 group will be employed for this. Jeff Scheick, Region Manager, ODOT, explained their goal is to restore normal traffic to 1-5, as quickly as possible. He said they have to replace the Willamette River Bridge and the two McKenzie River Bridges in the Eugene-Springfield area. He noted in order to accomplish this, they have to design and build two replacement bridges over the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. He estimated that effort would take a period of seven years. He explained the first step is installing the two detour bridges. He noted the detour bridges would be in place until the permanent bridges are built and open and then the detour bridges would be removed. He added the detour bridge is on a fast track in order to restore the traffic on 1-5 as soon as possible. He hoped they would have a job bid in early September and the detour bridges would be open by November 2004. Scheick commented that 1-5 is the West Coast economic lifeline that goes from Canada to Mexico and the current situation is that heavy haul trucks are not able to use bridges on 1-5 in the Eugene Springfield area because the bridges can't carry the loads. He noted the bridges are old and had been exposed to conditions and it is time for replacement. He estimated the economic impact of the detours to the trucking industry is about $38,000 per day. He stated by building the detour bridges now, they are able to get them in place by November 2004 and the cost of the existing detours to the trucking industry will be at a cost of $23 million. He added the cost is passed off to the local consumers. He commented if they wait to build the detour bridges, the cost to the trucking industry and consumers would become $62 million. He estimated the cost of both detour bridges is $38 million and if they install them now, they would be saving a cost to the trucking industry and the consumers. Scheick stated that ODOT is committed to working with local governments to reduce the environmental and community impacts associated with the bridge replacement program and the long-term issues related to the bridge replacements. He said the goal is to restore the traffic flow on 1-5 as quickly as possible. He said they heard the concerns from the planning commissions and are addressing them. Dean Fuller, Project Leader, ODOT, Area 5 Office, Springfield, explained this project is fast track and does not resemble ODOT's normal process for developing a project. He noted they are doing several things simultaneously. He said the design process of the project would last about nine months. He said the project team looked at the impacts to the parks themselves. He said they wanted to keep it as tight as possible and there was more room on the east side as opposed to the west side due to the power lines. He added there was going to be impacts to residences on the west side if they decided to put the detour on the west side. He said they reduced the size of the bridge from ODOT's normal standard. Fuller explained the techniques they are using in the project include reusable parts. He noted the main structure itself has 115 foot 4 x 4 box girders. He added those would be able to be used on other detour bridges throughout the state for future projects. He said they are continuing to work Page 3 - Joint BCC/Springfield and Eugene City Council Public Hearing - June 18, 2003 WD bc/m/03060/T