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ODOT has indicated its support for these steps (although it cannot guarantee that the WEP <br /> funds will be used for west Eugene project~9. The proposals are for the most part included in <br /> or consistent with TransPlan, although amendments to TransPlan might be necessary for cer- <br /> tain portions. <br /> <br /> 3. Work with metro and State partners (including Lane County, Lane Transit District, <br /> ODOT, Department of Land Conservation and Development, and other~9 to develop a <br /> comprehensive long-term strategy for west Eugene land use and transportation that would <br /> incorporate the following elements: <br /> - Improved street connectivity, both east-west and north-south, in the area bounded by <br /> Beltline, Highway 99, the railroad tracks, and West 11th Avenue. <br /> - Increased use of Transportation DemandManagement (TDM) and alternative modes of <br /> transportation to handle a greater share of west Eugene travel demand--including such <br /> components as employer-based TDM programs, enhanced car pool programs, Bus Rapid <br /> Transit, improved general transit service, park-and-ride facilities, and consideration of <br /> commuter rail between Eugene and western Lane County. <br /> - Development of a transportation link that would make use of the existing WEP right-of- <br /> way between Danebo Avenue on the west and Highway 99 on the east. <br /> <br /> These elements of an overall strategy could move forward as a complete package, or alterna- <br /> tively as separate components of a long-term plan for the area. Staff:would need to continue <br /> exploration of potential funding sources, such as Transportation and Growth Management <br /> (TGM) grant funding and federal Surface Transportation Program (STP)funds. Council di- <br /> rection is needed regarding the relative priority of this work within the broader context of a <br /> post-TransPlan adoption work plan that includes other high priority activities, such as nodal <br /> development studies and corridor studies in several locations in Eugene. <br /> <br />Mr. Reinhard also noted the list of other ideas in the agenda item summary for which staff did not hear clear <br />support. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey requested comment from Oregon Transportation Commissioner Randy Papd regarding the <br />position of the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) on the short-range list of actions. <br /> <br />Commissioner Papd thanked the council and mayor for allowing him to speak. He said that the Oregon <br />Transportation Commission (OTC) had spent much time discussing various transportation options for west <br />Eugene. He noted that commissioners John Russell and Gail Achterman had visited the area personally. <br /> <br />Commissioner Papd said that it was the commission's conclusion that the short-range list of actions did not <br />satisfy the traffic models used by the State. <br /> <br />Commissioner Papd summarized the commission's position as outlined in a letter to Mayor Torrey from <br />ODOT Director Bruce Warner, dated July 31,2001. Copies of the letter were distributed to the council. <br />The letter outlined the commission's understanding of the WEP project status and asked the council to <br />confirm its position and to allow the ODOT to file a no build solution for the project. If that occurred, there <br />were certain ramifications, which Commissioner Papd reviewed: 1) the funding would be moved back to the <br />State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funding allocation process as of October 1,2001, so the <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />