fern valley interchange project development team meeting february 3, 2011 9:00 – 11:00 p.m

Fern Valley Interchange

Project Development Team Meeting

February 3, 2011

9:00 – 11:00 p.m.

Agenda

Introductions, Review Agenda, Approve Minutes Nancy Reynolds

IAMP Update Mike Baker

Public Hearing Summary Nancy Reynolds

CAC Recommended Alternative to Advance Nancy Reynolds

Public Comment (Audience) Nancy Reynolds

EA Public Comment Overview Nancy Reynolds

PDT Recommendation of Alternative to Advance Nancy Reynolds

Next Steps Nancy Reynolds

Comfort Check Pat Foley

Thank You for Participating Dick Leever

Adjourn

IAMP Update

Status of Interchange

Area Management Plan

Public Hearing SummaryBackground

• About 30 alternatives evaluated in developing proposed project.

• Two alternatives evaluated in the Environmental Assessment (EA): No-Build Alternative Build Alternative

• EA published in October 2010.

• Public hearing/open house held in November 2010. Purpose: Inform public of project status, contents of the EA, and next steps.

Receive public comments on the EA prior to a recommendation on the preferred alternative.

Public Hearing Summary (cont.)Attendance & Comments

• About 80 people attended the public hearing.

• 6 oral testimonies were received.

• 20 written comments were received.

Public Hearing Summary (cont.)Comment Preference

• 10 supported the Build Alternative

• 4 supported the No-Build or a different alternative

Public Hearing Summary (cont.)Build Alternative Support

• EA looks great.

• ODOT executed comprehensive NEPA process with extensive public outreach and testimony.

• Bicyclists, pedestrians, autos & trucks will benefit.

• Project would be very beneficial to Phoenix & other communities.

• Phoenix East Side Traffic Study group supports project.

Public Hearing Summary (cont.)Build Alternative Suggestions

• At Fern Valley Rd/S. Phoenix Rd. intersection, provide signal, right-turn lane, or 2- or 3-way stop signs.

• At Extended S. Phoenix Rd, provide 2 left-turn lanes for traffic turning south towards interchange.

• Minimize the cost of water line relocation for the City of Phoenix.

• Provide access to pedestrians & bicyclists during construction.

Public Hearing Summary (cont.) Other Key Issues Raised

• Need interchange or overcrossing at South Stage Road.

• Too many impacts to businesses during tough economic times.

• Realign Fern Valley Road to connect to OR 99 at Cheryl Lane rather than Ray’s Market due to pedestrian safety and traffic flow concerns.

• Need easier accessibility to the truck stop.

• EIS is required for this project due to potential substantive damage to water quality, farmland and air quality.

Public Hearing Summary (cont.) Other Key Issues Raised (cont.)

• EA should include more build alternatives.

• EA should include additional cumulative impact analysis due to urbanization.

• Negative impact of parking removal on individual property.

• Important to repair Bear Creek Bridge and I-5 structure.

• Remove the previous [interim] project on Fern Valley Road.

• Air quality impacts associated with truck traffic traveling additional distance.

• Should not solve regional traffic problems at the Fern Valley Interchange—only local problems.

CAC Recommended Alternative to Advance

• Summary of CAC Recommendation for the Fern Valley Interchange project.

Audience Public Comments

• Opportunity for public comments from members of the audience.

PDT Comment Overview

• PDT discussion of public comments.

PDT Recommendation of Alternative to Advance

Identify preferred

alternative to

advance by

written ballot:

• Build• No-Build

Next Steps

Following PDT recommendation on Build vs.

No-Build Alternative:

1. FHWA decision on Build vs. No-Build Alternative

2. Publication of decision document

Comfort Check

Thank you for participating