[!] The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have published a combined Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) for the NO Build Alternative on the Salem River Crossing Project. This final step officially ends this effort to construct a 3rd bridge over the Willamette River in Salem.
Official document: www.content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORDOT/bulletins/2655aad (.png File)
The Salem River Crossing project is working toward finding a solution that will reduce traffic congestion for all users (buses, cars, trucks, bikes) on the two bridges that cross the Willamette River and the connecting roads in downtown and West Salem.
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the City of Salem published and collected public and agency comments on the Draft EIS through June 18, 2012.
The Draft EIS assessed the impacts of 8 alternatives plus a no-build alternative, as well as developing visualizations of what each alternative would look like. A preferred alternative has been selected. The Final EIS will analyze the locally preferred alternative (all local jurisdictions must reach consensus on the Locally Preferred Alternative) and will respond to public and local agencies/organizations comments from the Draft EIS.
What’s New?
In late 2016, Salem, Keizer, Marion and Polk counties approved land use actions in support of the Salem River Crossing Preferred Alternative. The land use actions included amending the Salem Transportation System Plan, modifying the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), and taking an exception to Statewide Planning Goal 15 (Willamette River Greenway).
ODOT and its consulting team, led by CH2M, are working to complete the Final EIS for publication; the estimated date for publication is to be determined.
The project has proposed Section 4(f) de minimis determination findings for three park/recreation resources (Wallace Marine Park; Wallace Natural Area; Willamette River Water Trail). A map of these resources is here. The comment period for these findings ended on August 11, 2017.
