Salem, Oregon
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Julie Warncke
Transportation Planning Manager
Public Works Department
503-588-6211
jwarncke@cityofsalem.net
Salem River Crossing
2019 Update
On January 30, 2019, the Salem City Council held a work session to discuss the Salem River Crossing project. A report summarizing the Salem River Crossing project was prepared to respond to questions from the City Council and members of the public (see below). Following this work session, the City Council on February 11, 2019, voted to send a letter to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to take no further action on the remaining land use actions needed for ODOT to complete the Final Environmental Impact Statement for a new bridge. As a result of this action, city staff will work with ODOT and FHWA to complete the Salem River Crossing project with No Build as the preferred alternative. The option to do nothing, referred to as the No Build alternative, is always an acceptable option to conclude an Environmental Impact Statement process.
- Salem River Crossing Project, Presentation for Salem City Council Work Session January 30, 2019
- Letter to ODOT and FHWA from Mayor Bennett, February 13, 2019
Archive Information
The only option to travel west across the Willamette River in Salem, is the Marion Street Bridge. The only option for traveling east is the Center Street Bridge. Increased traffic and population growth are causing traffic levels on both bridges to exceed State and local standards.
Based on 2006 traffic count data, approximately half (46%) of the traffic using the bridges originates from or is destined for points in western Polk County and beyond. The other half (54%) originates from West Salem.
Goals
The general public along with representatives from local, state, and federal agencies worked together on the Salem River Crossing Project to develop solutions that:
- Meet the current and future transportation needs of the Salem-Keizer metropolitan area.
- Are compatible with the urban and natural environments.
- Achieve broad community and regional support.
Decision Points
The Salem River Crossing Project is organized around a series of seven decision points.
- Management structure and decision process – Completed September 2006
- Purpose and need – Completed March 2007
- Evaluation framework – Completed March 2007
- Range of alternatives – Completed August 2007
- Alternatives for the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) – Completed early 2008
- Preferred alternative – Completed February 2014
- Record of decision – In progress
Land Use Actions
The City must take a number of land use actions in order to demonstrate consistency with statewide planning goals and compatibility with the Salem Area Comprehensive Plan. These land use actions are being processed together as Land Use Application Case No. CA16-04.
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