HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem B - I-5/Franklin InterchngEUGENE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Work Session: Grade Separated Ramp Connections for the I-5/Willamette River Bridge
Meeting Date: November 17, 2004 Agenda Item Number: B
Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Mark Schoening
www. cl. eugene, or. us Contact Telephone Number: 682-5243
ISSUE STATEMENT
This is an opportunity for the City Council to receive information from the Oregon Department of
Transportation (ODOT) on the transportation system planning and National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) processes needed to consider grade separated ramp connections between the planned
I-5/Willamette River replacement bridge and Franklin Boulevard.
BACKGROUND
Several years ago, ODOT imposed severe weight restrictions on the I-5 bridge crossing the Willamette
River due to structural problems with the bridge. Construction of a temporary bridge crossing the
Willamette River was completed earlier this year. The replacement bridge will be funded from the
Oregon Transportation Investment Act III (OTIA III). The planning for the replacement bridge has
created a unique opportunity to study a new interchange system that would improve access between I-5
and Eugene, Glenwood and Springfield, as well as simplifying and integrating the existing ramps on I-5
northbound to Franklin Boulevard westbound, Franklin Boulevard eastbound to I-5 southbound, and the
on- and off-ramps connecting I-5 to Glenwood Boulevard. An improved interchange at the I-5 and
Franklin Boulevard/Glenwood complex would increase regional mobility, create an entryway to the
University of Oregon in east Eugene, improve access to downtown Eugene and Springfield, and spur
redevelopment along Franklin Boulevard and in Glenwood.
In a letter (Attachment A) dated October 14, 2004, to Mayors Leiken and Torrey, ODOT has outlined
the transportation systems planning that must occur prior to the inclusion of ramp connections into the
NEPA process for the replacement bridge. ODOT has also committed funds and technical expertise for
the transportation system planning effort.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
The transportation systems planning for grade separated ramp connections between the planned
I-5/Willamette River replacement bridge and Franklin Boulevard will require a significant commitment
of transportation engineering and planning resources from the member jurisdictions of the Metropolitan
Planning Organization. The City of Eugene's Planning and Development Department's work plan was
approved by the City Council on April 14, 2004. The work plan includes unallocated resources to
address "Emerging Issues." At this time it is uncertain as to whether or not the unallocated resources
would be sufficient to provide resources for the transportation systems planning for grade separated ramp
connections between the planned I-5/Willamette River replacement bridge and Franklin Boulevard.
L:\CMO\2004 Council Agendas\M041117\S041117B.doc
COUNCIL OPTIONS
Not applicable.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
SUGGESTED MOTION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
A. ODOT letter dated October 14, 2004, to Mayors Leiken and Torrey
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Mark Schoening
Telephone: 682-5243
Staff E-Mail: mark. a. schoening~ci, eugene, or. us
L:\CMO\2004 Council Agendas\M041117\S041117B.doc
Oregon
Department of Transportation
Region 2
Thcx~dore R. Kulongoski, Governor 455 Airport Rd. SE, Bldg. B
Salem, Oregon 97301-5395
503-986-2600
October 14, 2004 FAX 50,3-986-26.30
Honorable James D. Torrey, Mayor of Eugene:
FILE CODE:
I am writing to follow up with you to clarify the commitment ODOT has made to
consider grade separated ramp connections between the planned I-5 Willamette
River Replacement Bridge and Franklin Blvd. (a.k.a. OR 99, OR 126B). As you
are no doubt aware, adding ramps to I-5 at this location raises many complex
transportation system issues. Examples of such complex issues include
n ighborhood and parkland impacts, proximity of adjacent existing interchanges,
and access management on Franklin Blvd.
ODOT firmly believes that we must resolve the transportation systems planning
issues before we can address the proposed ramp connections through the NEPA
process. ODOT has learned the hard way that the NEPA process can be an
expensive and time-consuming substitute for a logical systems planning effort.
Put another way, NEPA consideration of design alternatives is a much more
effective process where the local system planning has been completed prior to
engaging the environmental work.
I want to reinforce the Department's commitment to evaluating ramp connection
options; however, I believe that it is important for me to clarify ODOT's two-phase
planning process. The first phase is a systems planning effort that identifies the
problem to be solved, the value in addressing the problem, and identification of a
feasible range of solutions. The outcome of this system planning phase would
be adoption of an improvement concept and policies that support the
improvement concept in the local Transportation System Plans (TSPs) and the
Metropolitan Planning Organization's federally mandated Regional
Transportation Plan (RTP). It will also be necessary to amend the RTP Financial
Constraint project list to include the concept and cost.
Once this system planning work is completed and adopted into the local TSP,
thereby demonstrating local support, the improvement concept could then move
into the project planning and development phase. This phase will likely involve
developing a federally approved environmental document that addresses the
adopted improvement concept, with the goal of selecting a preferred alternative
that enjoys combined local, state and federal support.
Form 734-'1867A (5-04)
if the systems planning work is completed in a timely manner, this environmental
analysis work could potentially becom a part of the Environmental Assessment
currently scheduled for the Willamette Bridge replacement project. We currently
project that the Willamette Bridge EA will need to be completed no later than the
fall of 2008 in order to meet construction goals of the OTIA 3 Bridge program.
ODOT Region 2 stands ready to commit funds and technical expertise to help
complete the transportation systems planning effort.
It is my expectation that our staffs will closely collaborate to successfully expedite
this process, including taking the land use actions necessary to support our
consensus conclusions. Area 5 Manager Bob Pirfie and Tom Boyatt are
prepared to begin working out the details of this important study effort at your
earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Lee
~Region 2 Planning and Development Manager