| Airport Way Interchange |
|
|
 |
|
|
| Project Summary: |
ODOT and the Port of Portland, in partnership with other local agencies, are beginning a project to improve the flow of Airport Way traffic accessing I-205 north at the Airport Way interchange. |
| Latest News: |
An Airport Way Interchange project Open House was held on Wednesday, March 5 at the Sheraton Hotel on Airport Way. Thank you to all who attended!
Project staff appreciated the opportunity to learn from the experiences of those who travel through and live or work near the interchange. Open House participants reported that most congestion at the Airport Way Interchange occurs during afternoon commute hours (4-7 pm). Participants also observed that the congestion causes backups on Airport Way both east and west of I-205, and traffic is spilling over onto NE Sandy Blvd., NE Holman St., 82nd Avenue and NE Alderwood Dr.
If you missed the Open House, please take our online survey to report your travel experiences and share your priorities for the project. You may also join the project mailing list to receive notices of future Open Houses.
|
Project Overview
Solving the Problem
Background and Context
Get Involved
|
| Project Overview |
|
ODOT and the Port of Portland have begun a project to improve the flow of Airport Way traffic accessing I-205 north at the Airport Way interchange.
The Airport Way interchange provides a critical connection for travelers and the movement of regional goods. Future congestion at this interchange was flagged as an issue in the late 1990s. That future became reality in 2004, when both east- and westbound traffic on Airport Way started experiencing delays that today can stretch to 45-minutes. During the evening rush hour, there is more northbound traffic getting on I-205 at Airport Way than at any other I-205 interchange in Oregon. Costly slowdowns are projected to increase if nothing is done, with negative consequences for the regional economy.
ODOT and the Port made a commitment to the Federal Aviation Administration to have a solution to the interchange congestion problem in place by the end of 2014. They are beginning the project with a study that will identify appropriate solutions to the congestion on Airport Way and the associated problems with the northbound turning movement, while preserving options for future improvements on I-205.
 |
 |
| Aerial photo of the Airport Way Interchange |
|
|
| Solving the Problem |
|
ODOT and the Port are committed to developing a solution to the Airport Way interchange congestion problem. The problem solving begins by collaborating with community stakeholders and affected agencies to examine the extent of the interchange problem, identifying alternative solutions, and selecting which alternatives merit further consideration. Project partners will study the selected alternatives in a process required by the National Environmental Policy Act (an environmental impact statement–EIS–or environmental assessment–EA) and then select a locally preferred alternative.
The following committees are providing direction for the project:
- Policy Group
The Policy Group represents the various governmental agencies and jurisdictions that may have a decision making role in the Airport Way Interchange project, depending on what is ultimately selected as the preferred alternative. The Policy Group listens to recommendations from the Stakeholder Advisory Committee and provides technical and public policy guidance for the project. The Policy Group is comprised of representatives from ODOT, the Port of Portland, Multnomah County, the City of Portland, the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
- Project Development Team
The Project Development Team is responsible for coordinating the project and finding consensus amongst partners on critical issues. The members of the Project Development Team represent the Port, ODOT, the City of Portland, City of Vancouver, Metro, WSDOT, FHWA, and project staff.
- Stakeholder Advisory Committee
The role of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) is to advise the Project Development Team and Policy Group to ensure that the interests, issues, knowledge and recommendations of the local community are considered in project decisions. Committee participants are also tasked with sharing project information with their various constituencies. Look here for a list of the committee members and their affiliations.
Steps in Developing Alternatives:
- Technical Analysis: Existing and Future Traffic Demands
The project team will study the current extent of the interchange congestion problem and forecast what traffic will be like in 2028 in order to develop solutions that account for future regional growth.
- Identify Stakeholders and Relevant Issues
This step, also known as “scoping,” involves interviewing stakeholders, holding public meetings, and conducting public surveys. The purpose is to develop a baseline understanding of the issues that should be considered in the project analysis and to identify potentially affected individuals and groups whose opinions should be taken into account.
- Develop Criteria to Evaluate Alternative Solutions
The Project Development Team will establish a set of selection criteria that will be used to evaluate and compare alternative solutions. The criteria will be based on the project Goals and Objectives— desirable project outcomes that are derived from issues identified by the Stakeholder Advisory Committee and members of the public via meetings and surveys.
- Develop Alternative Solutions
This step involves brainstorming solutions to improve the flow of Airport Way traffic accessing I-205 north at the Airport Way interchange. Members of the public will be invited to contribute ideas and suggestions for addressing this congestion problem.
- Evaluate Range of Solutions
The Stakeholder Advisory Committee and Project Development Team will evaluate each of the proposed alternative solutions based on the selection criteria that reflect the project Goals and Objectives.
- Narrow Alternatives
The Stakeholder Advisory Committee and Project Development Team will remove from consideration the alternatives that do not adequately address the project’s core purpose and need and rank the remaining proposed alternatives.
- Select Alternatives for Development in Phase 2
The Policy Group will receive a recommendation from the Stakeholder Advisory Committee and identify which of the remaining alternatives will advance to Phase 2. In this next phase of the project, the Project Development Team will thoroughly study the likely effects that each alternative will have on the natural and built environment. ODOT will publish the results of this analysis and encourage public input to help identify the locally preferred alternative.
|
| Background and Context |
|
Look here for project history, Frequently Asked Questions, and links to additional resources.
|
| Get Involved |
|
ODOT and the Port are seeking your help in identifying the issues that should be considered as the project team addresses the northbound turning movement from Airport Way to I-205. There are multiple ways to provide input:
Take the Online Survey
Take our project survey now!
Join the Mailing List
If you would like to receive project updates and notices of public meetings, please contact:
Stacy Thomas, ODOT Region 1 Senior Community Affairs Coordinator
123 NW Flanders, Portland, OR 97209
Phone: 503-731-8281
Email: Stacy.L.Thomas@odot.state.or.us
|
|
|
|
