| I-5 Willamette River Bridge (Eugene/Springfield) |
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| Community Survey |
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The community bridge survey is now closed. Thank you to everyone who took the time to contribute.
Community input gathered from the survey will be reviewed by the Community Advisory Group which will help ODOT select the bridge style. Future public meetings and workshops will provide opportunities for the public to visualize options for other details of the design including railings, wall styles, landscaping, and concrete patterns and textures. The full results of the bridge survey will be posted in June.
You are always welcome to submit your ideas, comments, and questions by contacting the individuals listed under "Contacts" at the bottom of this page.
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| Overview |
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I-5 Willamette River Bridge(left) and temporary detour structure (right)
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In winter 2005-06, ODOT initiated the Environmental Assessment (EA) process for replacing the I-5 Willamette River Bridge in Eugene and Springfield. The EA will look at various options for the new bridge and evaluate the potential impacts. ODOT will be seeking public input throughout the process.
Project Purpose and Need
The purpose of the project is to improve safety and maintain connectivity and mobility for all users of Interstate 5 over the Willamette River in the Eugene/Springfield Metropolitan area.
The existing interstate bridge is weight restricted and has been decommissioned. The temporary structure is not built to withstand earthquakes and does not meet standards for permanent interstate bridges. The old bridge cannot be cost-effectively repaired or widened to accommodate projected traffic increases. For these reasons, a new permanent bridge is needed.
Background
Built in 1962, the I-5 Willamette River Bridge is on the border between the cities of Eugene and Springfield and provides a critical link in the interstate system for moving freight and people in the I-5 corridor.
In 2002, shear cracks were identified in the bridge structure. Weight limits were posted that forced heavy haul trucks to detour 200 miles on an alternate route. ODOT began constructing a temporary bridge as an interim solution to keep the route open for freight and other vehicles until a new bridge could be built. When the temporary bridge opened in 2004, the old bridge was decommissioned and left in place.
Decision-Making Process
A Project Development Team (PDT) of nine members has been established that includes representatives from ODOT, Eugene, Springfield, Lane County and the Community Advisory Group. The PDT will use information from the technical analysis and input from agencies and the public to make decisions concerning the project. The Revised (Final) Environmental Assessment must be approved by the Federal Highway Administration.
An 11-member Community Advisory Group (CAG) made up of representatives of key community organizations is providing input on the bridge type and other implementation issues. The group functions in an advisory role and provides recommendations to the PDT. A representative of the CAG is a member of the PDT.
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| Environmental Assessment |
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The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has completed assessing the environmental impacts associated with the replacement of the I-5 bridge over the Willamette River in Eugene and Springfield. The period for public comments on the Environmental Assessment (EA) is now closed.
The EA analysis confirmed that two side-by-side bridges able to accommodate a total of six traffic lanes would fit within the existing right of way and meet traffic needs for the next 20 years. The analysis did not identify any significant environmental impacts anticipated from these structures. The EA analyzed the potential impact of the existing bridges being demolished, temporary structures being constructed, and the permanent structures being completed.
Following the public comment period that ends February 19, ODOT will develop a response to public input on the EA and will publish a Revised Environmental Assessment (REA) in June 2008. The REA will also respond to any additional information developed during the comment period. For example, based on new information since publication of the EA, ODOT is now recommending constructing a noise wall on the east side of I-5 in the northern part of the project. The REA will reflect this new recommendation. Information about noise impacts and ODOT’s recommendation will be available at the open house/hearing and on the website.
The full text of the EA document is available here:
- I-5 WRBP EA Full Document (pdf, 42.2MB, This file includes figures from Appendix B that were omitted from the original electronic version.)
Individual chapters and sections of the EA document are available below:
Printed versions of the EA will be available for review at locations within the Eugene and Springfield area. To request a copy or to locate a copy near you, contact Jim Cox, ODOT NEPA Coordinator, at (503) 986-6612 or jim.b.cox@odot.state.or.us.
Questions
Questions on the EA should be directed to Jim Cox, ODOT NEPA Coordinator, at (503) 986-6612 or jim.b.cox@odot.state.or.us.
A complete list of public comments received will be available in early spring and will be reviewed in March. Comments will be addressed in a revised EA that is anticipated to be completed in June of 2008.
Important Note: To ensure the integrity of the solicitation process for the Request for Qualifications for Willamette River Bridge Project (Lane County), communications with ODOT (i.e., informal questions/answers and other Willamette River Bridge Project [Lane County] related communications) is controlled to the extent specified in the RFQ document issued/posted to ORPIN (the State of Oregon Automated Procurement System used by the ODOT) on 9/25/07.
There are formal question/answer and protest periods within the RFQ and Brenda Jungwirth is named as the agency's single point of contact during the formal solicitation period that begins with the posting to ORPIN on 9/25/07. The postings of consultants questions/answers during this Willamette River Bridge Project (Lane County) informal pre-solicitation period is ended. Questions from potential proposers and Agency's non-binding answers are removed as proposers should RELY SOLELY on the Willamette River Bridge Project (Lane County) solicitation documents (i.e., the RFQ and any formally issued addenda posted to ORPIN.).
The ORPIN System website is located at: http://orpin.oregon.gov/open.dll/welcome. As indicated on the ORPIN System website, Project information can be viewed on the official Project website located at: http://www.obdp.org/partner/procurement/bundles/. Once on that website, select Bundle 220, read the resulting disclaimer and "continue," and then go to "Reference Documents."
Frequently Asked Questions
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| Public Involvement Materials |
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Public Involvement Input from local residents, property owners, and organizations is an important part of this project. Contact Jamie Damon, Public Involvement Manager, at (503) 235-5881 or jdamon@jlainvolve.com to sign up for the project mailing list or to find out about upcoming events.
Open House/Environmental Assessment Hearing #3
Open House #2
Open House #1
Other Materials
Project Newsletter
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| Additional Project Information |
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Project information can be viewed on the official Project website located at: http://www.obdp.org/partner/procurement/bundles/. Once on that website, select Bundle 220, read the resulting disclaimer and "continue," and then go to "Reference Documents."
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| Contacts |
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Jamie Damon, Public Involvement Manager, (503) 235-5881; jdamon@jlainvolve.com
Lou Krug, Project Manager, (208) 387-7043; lou.krug@hdrinc.com
Tim Dodson, ODOT Project Liaison, (503) 986-3311; timothy.j.dodson@odot.state.or.us
Ann Sanders, Project Leader, (541) 744-8080;Ann.I.SANDERS@odot.state.or.us
Joe Harwood, Public Information Officer; (541) 726-2442, Joseph.D.HARWOOD@odot.state.or.us
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