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

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on the easements with Willamalane. He added they are working on permits with the City of Eugene and they will be accessing the project on Walnut Road from Leo Harris Parkway and that road will be reconditioned to bring the contractor in. He said their bid let date is set for September 4 and construction should start by October 1. Charles Biggs, 540 Antelope Way, Eugene, asked how much additional fill would be placed in the area and what impacts it will have to the existing floodway boundaries. He asked what liabilities the state would take on regarding any damage that might occur within the temporary period. He asked what would happen if there was flooding and it caused damages to homes that don't currently exist in the floodway. He noted the Willamette Greenway has certain criteria regarding visual aspects and the addition of adding more piers into the river would create hazards to boaters. He wanted to make sure the existing bridge is not torn down until they obtain funding for the new "signature" bridge that is going to replace it. He commented once they destroy the existing bridge before they get the funding is foolhardy. He asked where the new staging area would be. His concern was what they are calling a temporary bridge might become a permanent one. He added if the state doesn't improve economically, that they would have to live with a temporary bridge if it becomes permanent. He suggested firm language stating that this is a temporary bridge and it would be removed within seven to ten years as ODOT has stated. David Sonnichson, Chair, Whilamut Natural Area, Alton Baker Park Citizen Planning Committee. He commented because of the nature of this greenway exception process, their committee (made up of citizens of Eugene and Springfield) appointed and confirmed by elected officials represents the public interest of park constituents. He said they have been an asset in impressing ODOT with the uniqueness of the urban park managed for natural values. He said the proof of how the project will be seen in how the contractors (selected by ODOT) actually implement and adhere to construction and habitat restoration plans. He commented if ODOT managers can work as well as contractors as they had with their committee, the Whilamut Natural Area would come through the temporary bridge project in tact. He thought the language from Attachment page 11, lines 5 and 6 might be too broad for the necessary scope of the project. Mark Robinowitz, 28549 Sutherlin, Eugene, stated this had been an issue for many years. He thought trucks should pay the costs since they caused the problem, instead of the individual motorist. He suggested building one bridge instead of two could cut the cost. He commented that Section 4F of the 1966 Transportation Act requires that if avoidance is not possible, then minimization of an impact is required. He noted this applies to both direct impacts on the park and proximity impacts. He stated if the road could be kept within the ODOT right-of-way, cutting back or eliminating the fill altogether would satisfy that requirement. He said ODOT should consider paying for severing the park since it is a taking of the park and should be required to provide compensation. He thought the most important issue besides keeping the road at four lanes is how oil will affect transportation planning. He suggested the bridge have a full shoulder so if there is an accident, people could pull off to the side. He thought the current situation was dangerous. Page 4 - Joint BCC/Springfield and Eugene City Council Public Hearing - June 18, 2003 WD bc/m/03060/T