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| ODOT seeking public input on Beltline Highway improvement study | ||
| 08/01/2008 | ||
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Beltline Highway Improvement Study SPRINGFIELD–Tired of the congestion and the stop-and-go traffic on Beltline Highway during the morning and evening commutes? ODOT wants to hear from citizens as the agency launches a planning study of potential improvements for the Beltline corridor between Coburg Road and River Road. The study will kick-off with two open houses where the public can express opinions, suggest possible fixes and ask questions. The first open house will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the Irving Grange, 1011 Irvington Drive in Eugene. The second meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Eugene Christian Fellowship, Room 105, 89780 North Game Farm Road in Eugene. ODOT staff will be on hand during the informal, drop-in sessions to take comments and answer questions. The Coburg Road-River Road segment of Beltline has become increasingly congested during peak travel times, and traffic volumes are expected to continue to increase in the future. About a half mile west of the Delta Highway/Beltline interchange for example, traffic volumes reach approximately 90,000 vehicles in a 24-hour period. Just east of River Road, traffic volumes peak at 74,000 vehicles a day. Vehicle conflicts on Beltline at River Road, River Avenue, Division Street, the Willamette River Bridge, Delta Highway and Coburg Road continue to create safety and mobility issues. This first phase of the planning study, expected to cost about $250,000, will identify areas of concern through public input and technical data, create technical advisory and steering committees, and identify existing and future deficiencies in the corridor. The second phase, set to begin in the fall, will evaluate solutions for the corridor through a compilation of public input and technical data, which includes traffic volumes, land use and environmental information. The study, which will be completed in 2011, will propose a series of long-term improvements to the corridor. |
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