Item B: I-5 Willamette River Bridge - ODOT Update

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An agreement with Eugene Parks and Open Space defines ODOT’s usage of the park and requirements to minimize and mitigate park impacts. Upon completion of the project, ODOT will restore park areas affected by construction to an equal to or better than original condition. Contractors will repave utilized paths and make many other improvements in the park areas. In addition, the city of Eugene will receive additional park lands as compensation for the permanent impacts to the Whilamut Natural Area. ODOT will not directly use the park lands for construction activities on the Springfield side of the project. However, ODOT will make improvements to the paths to support increased bike traffic from construction detours through Eastgate Woodlands. ODOT will not use the park on the Springfield side of the project, but will improve the bike path through the Eastgate Woodlands. ODOT has coordinated closely with the Willamalane Park and Recreation District and the Citizen Planning Committee of the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park. Historic Eugene Millrace The Millrace structure beneath the southern end of the I-5 bridges is a significant historical resource and is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The National Historic Preservation Act requires that impacts to the millrace be avoided wherever possible and reduced where necessary. The project team will work to make the Millrace more visible as a historic resource and create new pathways to improve access for closer viewing. During public outreach events, the team will provide information about the Millrace while soliciting photographs, documents, and oral history from the public to fill in gaps in the millrace history. The contractors will incorporate information about structure into interpretive displays to be installed as part of the final site restoration. Coordination with the community Public involvement There have been many touch points for public outreach and involvement for the I-5 Willamette River Bridge project, including: ? Newsletters and a project Web site to provide information. ? Open house meetings to provide project information and solicit public input. ? An online survey soliciting input about the bridge type. ? A presence in the Whilamut Natural Area to describe upcoming detours to park trails. ? Distribution of the Environmental Assessment, a public hearing on the EA, and opportunities to provide written and oral comments on the EA. Thirty individuals and agencies submitted comments on the EA. All comments were reviewed and considered by ODOT. The Revised Environmental Assessment contains revisions to information presented in the EA that have been made in response to public comments. 2