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RESOLUTION NO. 4987 <br />A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING ODOT TO <br />CONSTRUCT A RETAINING WALL ON THE WEST - FACING FILL <br />SLOPE BETWEEN THE WILLAMETTE RIVER AND ALTON BAKER <br />PARK CANOE CANAL FOR THE PROTECTION OF TREES. <br />The City Council of the City of Eugene finds that: <br />A. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is engaged in the replacement <br />of the Interstate 5 bridges over the Willamette River due to structural deficiencies in the existing <br />bridges. <br />B. The west - facing fill slope for the existing interstate roadway and project right -of- <br />way is adjacent to the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park. <br />C. The fill slope between the Willamette River and Alton Baker Park Canoe Canal is <br />home to several mature trees. The trees on the fill slope provide an important natural visual and <br />sound buffer between the interstate and parkland including two heavily used paths in the <br />Whilamut Natural Area. The existing trees and vegetation also serve as a wildlife corridor <br />between the Willamette River and Canoe Canal. <br />D. The bridge replacement project plans call for expanding the fill slope within <br />ODOT right -of -way to accommodate a new roadway alignment. Expansion of the west- facing <br />fill slope would necessitate removal of several mature trees and other vegetation. If all of the <br />trees on the fill slope were removed, reestablishment of a similar natural buffer from the roadway <br />could take decades. <br />E. A retaining wall at the top of the west - facing fill slope would allow for roadway <br />realignment and widening while allowing many of the naturally buffering trees on the lower <br />slope to remain. <br />F. ODOT is aware of the existing natural buffer between the roadway and parkland <br />and is seeking project funding to design and build a retaining wall to protect the trees. <br />G. Willamalane Park and Recreation District has requested removal of a retaining <br />wall on the east - facing fill slope. Cost savings from removal of the east - facing retaining wall <br />could be transferred to meet similar project budget needs for a west - facing retaining wall. <br />H. ODOT continues to be responsive to community and agency interests to preserve <br />and enhance the natural environment surrounding the Interstate 5 Willamette River Bridge <br />project, named Whilamut Passage. Plans also include safety improvements to the path system <br />and artistic enhancements. <br />Resolution - Page 1 of 2 <br />