SALEMRIVERCROSSINGDEISCOMMENTS

A 1 ID# 1

B SubID# A

C Category Cost/Funding

D Subcategory Name MarineDriveshould Adkins beincludedincost estimates Morefundinginfo needed Adkins

E Comment

1.Theoptionsthatdependonconstructionofanewstreet,MarineDrive,donotseemtoincludethecostsofbuildingthatstreetorconnectionstoit.Wedonotconsiderthatstreetahighpriorityforthecityunlessitisnecessaryforanew bridge,soitscostsshouldbeincludedinprojectestimates. 2.Giventhehighcostsofallthebuildoptions,wewouldbeinterestedinseeingabetteranalysisofwhatevenaportionofthatleveloffundingwouldprovidefortransitalternativesatpeaktraveltimes.Werealizethathighwayfundscannot currentlybespentfortransitimprovements,butthiscomparisonshouldstillbemade. 3.Buildinganyoftheseexpensiveandpotentiallydisruptiveprojectstoeasecongestionforthepeakdoesnotseemcosteffectiveandassumptionsforgrowthmaybeoverstated. 4.WeareconcernedaboutincreasedcongestiononWallaceRoadasaresultofthebuildoptions.Althoughthebuildoptionshavethebenefitofimprovingcongestiondowntown,theyroutetrafficheadingtothecoastandintoPolkCountyalong WallaceRoad,whichismorecongestedthanthebridgeatmanypointsduringtheday.CurrentlytraffictowardthecoastdoesnotuseWallaceRoadandflowsfreelywestwardfromthebridge.

2 1 3 1 4 1 D Traffic C Cost/Funding BuildAltsarenotcost Adkins effective WallaceRoad congestion Adkins B Cost/Funding

5 1 6 1 7 1 8 1 9 1 10 2 A I Alternative Preference Alternative Preference NoBuild Adkins Atthispoint,giventheseconcernsandthecostsinvolved,wesupportthenobuildoption. Noneofthealternativesincludethesortofmasstransitoptionsthatwouldreallyresolvetrafficcongestion,encouragetruereformofourtransportationpolicies,cutpollution,andsignificantlyreducewastingofresources.Aslongasthereisno regularandwidelyavailablebusservicetocoverallofSalem,myfamilyandIwillneversupportbuildingnewbridgeinfrastructure(exceptforsafetyrepairs).Ultimatelyweneedlightrailandothermasstransitoptionsnotmorecarandtruck traffic.ConnectpeopletoAmtrakandPortlandMetrotypelightrail,Max,andstreetcars. Ihavespecificconcernsabouteffectsonresidents.Ourhomeappearstobeoneofthepropertiesimpacted.Fromexaminingmaterialswewilllosemostofthesmallfrontyardwehave,thedrivewillbeintoaturnlane.Alossofparkingroom. Wehavetriplepanedwindowasisandhavenoise,dust,andextremechallengestomaintainplantsclosertothehouseitgets,biggerthoseproblemswillbe.Effectsonpublichealthandsafety/neighborhoodlivabilityisunsafewith4 entrance/exitfordrivefrompropertyisaturnlane.. Effectsonthelocalandregionaleconomywillpropertyberezonedforcommercial?Wouldbebetterifyes EffectsontrafficconditionsWedesperatelyneedanotherbridge,currently,AMtrafficisbackeduptoourproperty.Idlingcarsareheardinsideourhomeandexhaustkillsplants. Assomeonewhocommutesacrossthebridge,mybiggestcomplaintisthatthereisnopublictransportationoptionformycommute.Thebusesdonottravelthroughthelargestemploymentcorridor,thestateofficebuildingsdowntown,itstops beforereachingthereatthedefunctcourthousebuildinganddoesn'tconnectworkerswiththeirworkplaces.If700milliondollarsaretobespentontransportation,pleasespendthosedollarsimprovingpublictransportation. Ifabridgeisbuilt,IsuggestmakingitthefoundationofalightrailsystemforSalem.However,themorecosteffectivewaytoimprovetrafficcongestionwouldbetodramaticallyincreasethenumberofbusesandroutes.Iftherewasabusfrom myneighborhoodinWestSalemtowhereIworkindowntownSalemIwouldusethatnotonlyforwork,buttoaccessshoppingandtogooutontheweekends. Pleasefocusyoureffortsonpublictransportation. 15 5 16 6 A A Alternative Preference Socioeconomics Alt4C Banks,Roger Ihavespecificconcernsabouteffectsontrafficconditions:StronglyinfavorofAlternative4CincludingmaximumNorthwardconnectiononMarinDrivetoWallaceRoad. 1CEASEANDDESISTTHEREALIGNMENTOFORCHARDHEIGHTSROADDESIGNFEATUREANDASSOCIATEDPROPERTYDESTRUCTIONDUETOLACKOFRATIONALEPROVIDEDBYDEIS(ApplicabletoBuildOptions2B,4C,4D,4Eand potentially4B).LackofRationaleProblem:TheDEISdoesNOTprovideANYrationaleforthisrealignmentdesignelement.Absentsucharationale,thereisinsufficientbasisforthetakinganddestructionofpropertiesandbusinessesrequired toaccomplishthisdesignfeatureletaloneforlevyingpaymentonthecostsforbuildingit.Theprojectleavesitselfopentolegalchallengeifitproceedswithoutprovidingrationaleforthiscostandsacrifice.Giventheabsenceofrationaleat thecurrentcomment/decisionjuncture,theSLCshouldprovideanadditionalpubliccommentperiodonthebridgeoptionsintheeventitdoescomeupwithasupportedexplanationforthisdesignfeature.Theindividualhomeandbusiness ownersshouldnotbecoercedintothissacrificewithoutfullpublicscrutinyontheneedforthisrealignmentandwhetherthedesignelementisessentialtowhichevercrossingOptionisselected.RealignmentDesignClarificationsNeeded: Orally,aprojectengineerexplainedtomethatwewouldneverdesignanintersectionlikethattoday[atsuchasevereangletoWallaceRd].Thisassertionbyitselfisnotsufficientasbasistoproceed.Clarificationandsupportingexplanation needtobeprovided,ontopicssuchasthosediscussedbelow:Whattrafficstudieshavebeenperformedatthisintersection,andwhatproblemshavetheyidentifiedthattheprojectsarenowtryingtofix?Isthegoaltogetresidentsfromthe hillsdownandontoWallaceRdfasterduringcertaintimesofday?HowseverelydoestheeastboundtrafficbackupOrchardHtsatthatintersection(andforwhichtimesofday)?Canthebackupberelievedatlessexpense(thantherealignment featureOptions)bywideningjustthelowerblockofthehillsothat,perhaps,twolanescanturnrightatatimeduringthelight? H Traffic G F Alternative Preference Socioeconomics NOTAlt2B Adkins 6.WewouldnotsupporttheoptionthatincludesabridgebetweentheoldrailroadbridgeandtheMarionStreetBridge.ItistooclosetoRiverfrontParkandWallaceParkfacilitiesandwouldadverselyaffectpedestriansandbicyclistsusingthe newpedestrianbridge. 7.FinallyweareconcernedabouteffectsonneighborhoodsinWestSalem,theproposedrealignmentoftheOrchardHeightsWallaceintersection,andwideningatthebottomofGlenCreek.TheDEISdoesnotcontainanydiscussionor rationaleforthesechanges,butdoesindicatelossesofresidentialandbusinesspropertythatwouldresult. 8.Wealsonotedthatchartsattheopenhouseslackedinformationaboutexistingcongestiontoprovidecomparisonwithprojectedcongestionundertheoptions. E Parks/Recreation WallaceMarinePark Adkins 5.WeareconcernedaboutadverseeffectsonWallaceMarineParkforseveralofthebuildoptions.

Residentialimpactsin Adkins WestSalem Moreinfoneeded Adkins

NoBuild;encourage Anderson alternatemodes

11 3 12 13 3 14 3 4 A Socioeconomics Residentialimpacts Anderson,Kristen

B C A

Socioeconomics Traffic Alternative Preference

Economicimpacts Anderson,Kristen Newbridgeneeded Anderson,Kristen NoBuild;encourage Ausec alternatemodes

Residentialimpactsin Bargen,Jen WestSalem

17 And/or,couldsuchlowerwideningofexistingpathallowonelanecanwaitforaleftturnlightwhileanotherlaneisfreetoturnright?Perhapsanothercheaperwaytoeasetheflowoftheintersectionatcrunchtimeswouldbetowidenthe westsideWallaceRdthereforapproximatelyoneblocksouthofOrchardHtsinordertoprovideadedicatedrightturnlaneoffOrchardHtsthatwouldnothavetomergeimmediatelywiththehardtoseeSouthboundWallaceRdtrafficthat boundsoverahill.Asforgettingupthehill,offnorthboundWallaceRd,Ibelievethecurrentintersection,withthelightremainingblinkingduringmanyhours,worksexcellentanddoesnotneedmodification.(Irarelyapproachtheintersection fromthenorth,soIdonotpresumetospeakonthesuitabilityofthecurrentconfigurationinthatregard).IsthereagoaltodivertRickreallandpointsWesttrafficoverOrchardHtshillstoHwy22,awayfromthecurrentbridgeintersections, underbuildOptions3&4?Ifso,thisgoalismisplaced:ThisideaisflawedbecausetheroadwidthandsharpcurvesofOrchardHts,asittravelsupandoverthehills,cannothandlesignificantthrutraffic.Iftrafficfromthenorth(whetherfroma newlybuiltbridgeorotherwisefromsouthboundWallaceRd)isdirectedoverOrchardHeightstotravelbeyondtheresidentialdestinations,therewouldbedisturbancestoOrchardHtsRoadandborderinghousingareasthatarenotaddressed bythisDEIS.ThegradeuptherealignedpathwouldbeatleastassevereasthegradeofthecurrentpathofOrchardHts.Whereisthecostbenefitstudythatshowsthatthesacrificeofnumeroushomesandatleastonebusinessareworthit? Whatisthegreatergoodthatisachieved,specifictotheefficientflowandsafetyofthisintersection?Furthermore,whatgreatergooddoesthisrealignmentservethatissocrucialtothenumerousbuildOptionsthatincludethefeature(and thereforehingetheirpresumedefficienciesonit)?Ihaveconcernsthatthecosts/benefitsoftherealignmentfeatureareevenlesswhenweighedagainsttherelativebenefitsofthebridgeoptionsthemselves.

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SALEMRIVERCROSSINGDEISCOMMENTS

A 1 ID#

B SubID#

C Category

D Subcategory

E Name

F Comment MostbuildOptionsincludetheproposaltomesswiththisintersectioneventheonesthatprovidetheleastincreaseintrafficflowimprovementtoactuallycrossingtheriver.Specifically,IdonotunderstandwhyOption2B,withminimal increaseinrivercrossingcapacity,needstoaltertheOrchardHtsintersectionmymainaccesstomyneighborhoodstreet.ThecontinuedaccesstoBeaumontDrNWandtheValleyViewsegmentbelowitarenotclearoraddressedatallinthe DEIS.OtherObjectionstoRealignment:WhileIdidnotbuyatmarketpeak,therealignmentdesignfeaturestillnegativelyimpactsmypropertyvaluesbydiminishingitsviewqualitiesandcompoundingtheexistingtrafficnoise.Noise:The OrchardHtsrealignmentdesignfeaturewillintroduceaconsiderableincreaseinnoisepollutiontomypropertymovingthegrindingnoiseofvehiclesclimbingatoosteephilltotraversingalinedirectlybelowmyproperty.TheOptions3&4 alternativeswillbringfreighttrafficnoisetomypropertyfromthenewbridgecrossings.Viewimpairment:Therealignmentdesignfeaturenegativelyimpactsmypropertyvaluesbecauseittakesawayfrommyviewsofthevalley.Itputsthe localtrafficinmyimmediateview.BuildOptions3and4furtherimposeafreewaybridgeandrampsintowhatisotherwiselargelyanaturalview.Thefactthatthispropertyisstillwalkabletodowntownforthepedestrianhearty,andyethasan expansivemountain/valleyview,waskeytomyselectionofthispropertyasmypermanenthome.Therealignmentfeaturethrowstheplusesandminusesofthispropertyoutofbalance.ConclusioninoppositiontotheRealignmentDesign Feature:TheproposedrealignmentofOrchardHts&WallaceSHOULDNOTHAPPENwithoutmuchmorestudythaninevidenceintheDEISandNOTwithoutbeingabsolutelyneededtostreamlinetherivercrossing.

19 6 B Socioeconomics Residentialimpactsin Bargen,Jen WestSalem 2CEASEANDDESISTTHEEXPANSIONOFGLENCREEKSEGMENT(fromWallaceRdwesttoKarenWayassociatedwithmostbuildOptions)ANDASSOCIATEDPROPERTYDESTRUCTIONDUETOLACKOFRATIONALEPROVIDEDBYDEIS.Lackof RationaleProblem:TheDEISdoesNOTprovideANYrationaleforthisGlenCreekwestofWallaceexpansiondesignelement,seeminglyincludedinallbuildOptionsexceptOptions3and4A.Thelackofadocumentedrationaleisaproblemfor thesameoranalogousreasonstothoseoutlinedabovefortheOrchardHtsrealignmentelement;pleaseaddresssameconcernshereinrelationtoGlenCreekexpansionGlenCreekwesternExpansionDesignClarificationsNeeded:This designfeatureneedstobefurtherclarifiedonanalogouspointsraisedaboveregardingtheOrchardHtsfeature;pleaseanswerthemforGlenCreek,includingatleasttheitemsbelow:WhattrafficstudieshavebeenperformedattheGlen Creek/WallaceintersectiontoprompttheexpansionoftheGlenCreekuptoKarenWay?Whatproblemshavetheyidentifiedthattheprojectsarenowtryingtofix?IsthegoaltogetresidentsfromthehillsdownandontoWallaceRdfaster duringcertaintimesofday?Whichtimesofdayistheburdensogreatastomeritthiscostandownersacrifice?IsthereagoaltodivertsomethrutrafficfromWallaceRd,overGlenCreekandDoaksFerrytojoinHwy22fartherwest?Ifso,on whatbasisareGlenCreekandDoaksFerrydeterminedtobeabletohandletheextratraffic?

20 6 C Alternative Preference NoBuild Bargen,Jen 3FIRSTCHOICE,OVERALL:OPTION1=NOBUILDReasons:StatementofneedinDEISisinsufficientlysupported.Dataistoooldthepresumedupwardtrendofcars,drivers,andusageisflawed.(SeeSalemWeeklycoverstoryarticle,May31 June13,2012issue,pp.89)Thesavingsinminutespercommutecrossingaretoominisculetorationalizethemassivecostsbornebythelocalpopulationandbusinesses.(Again,seeSalemWeekly,May31June13,2012,pp.89)Supplementary transitimprovementsarenotintegratedintotheoptionsdecision.IheartilyendorsethesentimentsexpressedinthecoverstoryarticleoftheSalemWeekly,May31June13,2012issue,pp.89.Pleaseincorporatethatarticleintotherecord andreplytotheconcernsraisedontheabovematters.Frustratingasitmaybeforcertainpersonsatcertainpeakcommutinghours,SalemsrushhoursareNOTHINGcomparedtothecongestionandtrafficdelaysofothercities!!!!Iknowthis frompersonalexperiencebecause,forjobreasons,Ihavehadtoliveandworkoutofstateforsignificantperiodsoftime,whilestillmaintainingpropertyownershipinSalem.Trustmetrafficcongestioniswayworseinmanycitiesofoursize andbigger.(Austin,TXandWashingtonDCarethetwoIvouchforfrompersonalexperience.)Getagrip,Salem!Itisonlybyvirtueofourisolationthatweimaginewehavetrafficcongestionproblemworthyoftheseproposedcoststoour wallets,environment,andcommunityhomesandbusinesses.WhiletrafficalongWallaceRdandoverthebridgeisworsethanIexpected,ascomparedtomydaytodaytravelswhenIlivedintheEnglewoodneighborhood,Salemisstilla remarkablyhandycitytogetaroundin.WhilethecommutefromtheWallaceRd/OrchardHtsintersectiontodowntownmaytake15minutesatsometimesonsomedays(noteveryday),insteadofaslittleas4minutes,thisamountoftimeis stillmanageable.(Itisnotthe40120minutesthatcolleaguesIveknownregularlycommuteeachway).AtrolleyorshuttlethattakespeoplefromacloseinWestSidepark&ridetoDowntownshoppingandstateofficebuildingsassumingit hasprivilegestoavoidtrafficsnarlcouldreducecongestionmuchlessexpensivelythanthebuildmorebridgeoptions.

21 Pleaseexploresuchoptions,andincorporatecommitmenttothemostfeasibleamongtheminwhicheveroutcomeispursuedaftertheDEIS.Thebridgetollscontemplatedtopayforbuildoptionscouldinsteadbechargedonexistingbridges withoutbuildinganynewcrossingcapacityandperhapsevenjustatrushhoursto1)reduceuse/congestionattheexistingbridgeand2)fundashorthopshuttletransitthatfurtherreducescongestiononthebridge.Imaginethat:Charge feesonlytousersofexistingbridges;buildnonewinfrastructurebeyondaparknridelot;deterfrivoloususeofthebridgebyfeeimpositionalone;reducerushhourcongestionfurtherbyprovidingshuttleservicewithmaybe2stops downtownandoneortwowhileloopingthroughthestateofficebuildings.WiththepossibleexceptionsofOptions3and4A,allofthebuildoptionsdestroyWestSalemshistoricmainstreetvitalityalongEdgewater.Thecostsforallbuild optionsaredisproportionatetotheanticipatedbenefits. 6 D Alternative Preference Secondchoice:Alt3 Bargen,Jen 4SECONDCHOICE:OPTION3ProsIfanybuildOptionispursued,Option3presentstheleastoverallharmofanybuildoption,ascomparedtoscaleofefficienciesandbenefitsgained.Leastharmamongbuildoptionstoriverareaspeciesand environment.LeastharmtoWestsidehouses,businesses,andWestSalemhistoricmainstreetalongEdgewater.IlikethewayitfunctionswiththeSalemParkwaytoformaminibeltwaysegmenttodiverttrafficfromPortlandawayfrom downtown,andsmoothitsflowonitswaytoWestSalemand/orHwy22/beaches.UnlikeOptions2A&2B,theNorthto/fromWesttrafficunderOption3wouldactuallybephysicallydeflectedfromthedowntownbridgecongestionareas downtowninsteadofhavingtotravelthroughexistingcongestionpointsjusttousethenewexpensiveinfrastructure.ConsIremainconcernedthatOption3willgeneratemoretrafficnoiseforWestSideresidents(Ialreadyhearplentyfrom WallaceRdfrommyhomeonBeaumontDrive,severalblocksand300feetelevationfromWallaceRd).IremainunconvincedthatsuchextensivedestructionoftheHighlandneighborhoodisreallynecessaryIurgeengineerstoconsider alternativestothelargecloverleafinterchangeintheHighlandarea,suchas:SincetheSalemParkwayalreadyisinterruptedbytrafficlights,perhapsoneortwomajorstoplightintersectionsatBroadwayand/orLiberty/Commercialcouldlessen thedestructionintheHighlandneighborhoodwhilemaintainingsimilarflowascurrentlyexistsonParkway.IsuggestthatthecloverleafwestboundonramptotheOption3bridgeistheleastneededfeatureoftheEastSidedesignbecause quantitiesofnorthboundtrafficfromdowntowncould/wouldgoovertheexistingMarionStbridgetogowest,ratherthanloopingnorthtogowestoverthenewbridge.BykeepingtheEast/Southrampdownloadingbridgetrafficonto SouthboundCommercial,designerscouldminimizedestructionofHighlandstructuresbykeepingLibertyasastoplight,withmultiplelanesturningleftontothebridge(similartosomeoftheKeizerareajunctionswiththeSalemParkway). Alternatively,theeasterlybridgetraffic,boundfortheSalemParkwayandpointsnorth,couldcrossLibertyviaoverpass,andthewestboundentrancetothenewbridgecouldbeachievedviastoplightintersectionatBroadway(withmultiple lanesturningtowardbridge,asabove).Thislocationforastoplightintersectionwouldhaveadvantageofdivertingthrutrafficawayfromthedowntownmainstreets,helpingpeoplegoingto/fromWestsidetoouterMissionStorLancaster locationswithoutcloggingdowntown

22

23 6 E Alternative Preference NoBuild Bargen,Jen 5OBJECTIONSTOOTHERBUILDOPTIONS:Option2ADoesnotdeflectenoughtrafficfromtheexistingdowntownandwestsidebridgeaccesscongestionpointstobeworththehighpriceindollarsandpropertysacrifice.Destructiontohistoric WestSalemmainstreetEdgewateristoosevere.Option2BDoesnotdeflectenoughtrafficfromcurrentbridgeaccesscongestionpointstobeworththehighpriceindollarsandpropertysacrifice.Imposeseyesoreandnoisepollutiontothe recentsuccessfulandenjoyablePedestrianBridge.DestructiontohistoricWestSalemmainstreetEdgewateristoosevere.Option4AWhileIpreferOption4AoveranyoftheOption4variations,itpresentsviewandnoiseobjections.Its incrementalbenefitsdonotoutweighitshighindollars,environmentalimpairment,andpropertysacrifice.AlongwithOption3andotherOption4alternatives,IbelievetheeastsidedesigncouldbeimprovedtolessenimpacttotheHighland neighborhoodandactuallyenhancewestsideuseofthebridgetoreacheastside(LancasterandMissionSt)commercialareaswhilecircumventingandnotcloggingdowntown.Withthissuggestion,Iamenvisioning:Oneortwowelltimed stoplightsbetweenthebridgeofframpatCommercialStandfullyjoiningtheSalemParkway(wherevergradepermitsaftercomingdownfromanewbridge),Nocloverleafaccessfromnorthboundtrafficemergingfromtown(theyhaveoption touseexistingbridge,afterall);ratherallowaccessthatdirectionviamultipleturnlanesoffofnorthboundBroadway,CapitolSt,orwhichevernorthboundthoroughfarecanmeetthetrafficflowingnortheasterlyfromanewbridgeatastoplight intersection.Thisway,trafficcomingfromthewestsidecanmoreeasilyreachSilvertonRd,MarketSt,or17thSttoreachLancasterAveorMissionStcommercialareaswithoutimposingitselfondowntowncongestion.(Similarly,suchtraffic couldcutdownCapitol&/12thStstoreachthecloserinMissionSt&McGilchristcommercialareas.)Icansupplydrawingsofthisconceptifneeded.Options4B,4C,4D,4ETheseoptionspresentexcesscostsindollars,environment,and propertysacrifice,alongwithnoiseandviewpollutionthatfaroutweightheirtoutedbenefits.DestructiontohistoricWestSalemmainstreetEdgewateristoosevere.DittothirdbulletsuggestionunderOption4Areminimizingdamageto Highlandneighborhoodandincreasinguseofbridgetoreacheasternandsoutheasterncommercialareaswhilecircumventingdowntown

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SALEMRIVERCROSSINGDEISCOMMENTS

A 1 ID# 6 25 7

B SubID# F

C Category Traffic

D E Subcategory Name Encouragealternate Bargen,Jen modes BuildAltsdonot Bassett addressPurposeand Need

F Comment 6InsufficientCommitmenttoMassTransitStrategiesNoneofthebuildoptionsincorporatemasstransitstrategiestominimizetheamountofinfrastructuretobuildorcostsfordoingso.Pleasestudyanddiscussthefeasibilityofthesuggestion above(orsimilar)forawestsideparknrideapproach,possiblyinconjunctionwithOption2A,asameanstoreducecongestionatpeaktimeswithouttheexpensivebuildOptions. AlternativesMisstheProjectPurposeandNeed TheSalemRiverCrossing(SRC)alternativesintheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementdonotappeartobewellalignedwiththeprojectpurposestatementorneedstatement. SomethingmighthavegottenofftrackbetweenthereasonfortheSRCandthealternativesthatareonthetablenow. The"PurposeStatement"includesthephrases"improvemobilityandsafety"fortheSalemKeizerareausingmeasuresof"reducingcongestion"and"remediatingsafetyandoperationaldeficienciesontheexistingbridges". The"NeedStatements"listtheneedsto"improve":"trafficoperations","trafficsafety","freightmobility","transittraveltimes"and"emergencyresponse". TheBuildalternativesjumprightovermanylessexpensiveoptionsthatwouldhavemeasurablebeneficialimpacts. Someoftheselowercostalternativesincludeoptionstoremovestoplightsatbothendsofthebridgesandreduceoptionsfordriverstochangelaneswhilecrossingabridge.OptionstoincreasetheflowoftrafficonWallaceRoadsuchas frontageroadsandbetterintersectioncrossingsarenotseparatedout. Alternativesstartbyexpandingthenumberofrivercrossinglanesto11andincreasethatallthewayto17.Yes,Alternative4Bincreasestheexisting8bridgelanesby9newbridgelanesforatotalof17totalbridgelanes. TheworsttrafficproblemsareatorneartheendsofthebridgesincludingFrontStreet,CommercialStreet,EdgewaterStreetandGlenCreekRoad.Yetthealternativesdonotseparateoutlowercostalternativesthatwouldreducesomeofthe trafficproblemsbydirectlyaddressingthepurposeandneedstatements.

Purpose&Need

26 7 B Parks/Recreation Bassett SignificantImpactsonParksAddressedin10Months? OnJuly30,2010theCityofSalemidentifiedthatsomealternativeshadsignificantimpactsonCityParkswhicharenotallowedperafederalrequirementcalled"4(f)". Whathasbeendoneinthelast10monthstoaddressthesignificantimpactsonParksofAlternatives2Aand4BonMarionSquareParkandAlternative2BonWallaceMarinePark? 27 7 C Traffic OptionstotheBuild Alternatives Bassett Ifthesesignificantimpactshavenotyetbeenaddressed,whyweretheseissuesnotaddressedeitherbeforeorduringthedevelopmentoftheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement? EastEndofBridgesConnectionsNorth Anewflyover/offramp/viaductontheeastsideofthebridgesshouldallowexpresslanesnorthofdowntown. ThisnewelevatedroadwaycoulduseexistingFrontStreet/Railroad/CommercialStreetRightofWayandprovidefreeflowconnectionstowardstheSalemParkway. AlthoughpartofthisstructuremightbetalltomissMarionStreetBridge,RiverfrontParkandMarionSquarePark,itwouldbelessexpensivethantheSalemRiverCrossingBuildalternativesandremovedreadedtrafficsignalsfromtheeastend ofthebridges. IfdowntownSalemwantstoremainatthecrossroadsoftheSalemmetroarea,itmightunfortunatelyneedtobewillingtoaccommodateadditionaloverpasseswithfastmovingvehicles. 7 D Traffic OptionstotheBuild Alternatives Bassett FirstExittoWestSalemShouldHaveThreeOptions TrafficovertheMarionStreetBridgeshouldhavethreeoptionswhenitleavesHighway22atthewestendofthebridge: 1.OfframptoMarineDrive(togettoWallaceMarineParkorasfarasRiverBendRoadorBrushCollegeRoad), 2.RighttoWallaceRd.(togoshoppingandgettotheStateHighwaynorth),and 3.OverpasstocrossWallaceRoad(tobusinessesonthewestsideofWallaceRoadandthemainresidentialareasofWestSalem). Thisthirdoption,anewoverpassnearEdgewater(whichcouldcarryadedicatedbikelaneacrossWallaceRoadneartheendoftheoldrailroadbridge)wouldconnecttoanewNorth/SouthalternateroadonthewestsideofWallaceRoadfrom EdgewaterStreettoOrchardHeightsRoadwithanunderpassandconnectiontoGlenCreekRoad. Thecostofthis"LowBuild"alternativewouldbetensofmillionsofdollars,butitwouldimprovetrafficflowacrossthebridgeandalongWallaceRoad,andcostlessthananyoftheeightSalemRiverCrossingBuildalternatives. 29

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SALEMRIVERCROSSINGDEISCOMMENTS

A 1 ID# 7

B SubID# E

C Category Traffic

D Subcategory OptionstotheBuild Alternatives

E Name Bassett Comment OverpassesatGlenCreek,CommercialStreetandEdgewaterStreetareWayOverdue

In1946and1948transportationplannersdeveloped"SalemRiverCrossing"alternativesandidentifiedthelikelyfutureneedforoverpassesatGlenCreekRoad,CommercialStreetandEdgewaterStreet. (Pleaseinsertthe1946designdiagramherethatwassubmittedwithtestimonyatthesecondpublichearing.) The1946"ProposedWillametteRiverBridgeatSalemOregon"wasdrawnbyF.G.HutchinsonforStateHighwayEngineerR.H.Baldock.ItshowsanoverpassofWallaceRoadnearGlenCreekthatmusthaveanticipateddecadesofgrowthin trafficflowthathavenowbeenrealizedinPolkCounty. AnoverpassofWallaceRoadatGlenCreekmightbethe"bridge"thatwouldbenefitrivercrossingtrafficthemostandsignificantlyincreasethetravelspeedandcapacityoftheexistingbridgelanes. Anotherinterestingfeatureofthe1946designisthatontheeastsidethereisalsoan"overpass"ofCommercialStreet. IaskedadesignengineerrepresentingSalemRiverCrossingatthesecondopenhouseifitwasstillpossibletoraiseastructureoverCommercialStreetbystartingatgradewithinoneblockandhesaidthatalthoughitdoesnotmeetthestandard designspecificationsitwouldmostlikelybeapprovedasanexception. (Pleaseinsertthe1948designdiagramherethatwassubmittedwithtestimonyatthesecondpublichearing.) The1948drawing,alsobyHutchinsonandBaldock,showsanoverpassofWallaceRoadatEdgewaterStreet.ThisenablesthefreeflowoftrafficbetweenWallaceRoadandthebridges. Allthreeofthepossibleoverpasses(atGlenCreekRoad,CommercialStreetandEdgewaterStreet)arereasonableoptionsnowandcouldbeconstructedatafractionofthecostsoftheBuildalternativesbecausetheydonotneedmorethanthe existingeightrivercrossinglanestosignificantlyincreasetheflowoftraffic. 30 7 F Traffic DEISlanguagenot objective Bassett BalanceUpsideasWellasDownsideofAlternatives ThetoneandwordingoftheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement(DEIS)fortheSalemRiverCrossing(SRC)sometimesappearstocrossoverintoadvocacyandpositivespinratherthanstatingabalanceofpositiveandnegativeimpactsofthe Buildalternatives.Anexampleofthisisdownplayingthelessdesirableimpactsofalternativesreducingturningoptionsandmakinggeneralstatementsthatmisrepresenthowmanyoftheproposalshavethesenegativeeffects. Limitingaccesstocommercialbusinessesandlocalstreetsfrommainroadsisoftenseenasdetrimentaltotheareasimpacted.TheCumulativeImpactsChapteroftheDEISonthetopofpage415states:"SomeBuildalternativeswouldlimit accesstorightin/rightoutonWallaceRoad.(Emphasisadded). TheuseofthetermsomeissubjecttoreviewasamisstatementsinceallbutoneoftheeightBuildalternativesplaceadditionalraisedmedianstripsbetweennorthboundandsouthboundlanesofWallaceRoadatdrivewaysorintersections. HereisalistoftheadditionalsegmentsofWallaceRoadwherealternativesplannewbarrierswhichwouldlimitturnstorightin/rightoutaccessaccordingtoSRCrepresentativesatthesecondopenhouse: 2AEdgewaterStreettotwoblocksnorthofGlenCreekRoad, 2BEdgewaterStreetto9thStreet, 3None,atleastitdoesnotlookthatwaysinceAlternative3graphicsdonotusethesameformatformarkingmedianbarriersastherestofthereport, 4AFromthreeblockssouthofHopeAvenuetonearHarrittDrive, 4BFromthreeblockssouthofHopeAvenuetonearHarrittDrive,andEdgewaterStreettotwoblocksnorthofGlenCreekRoad,and 4C,4Dand4ETaggartDrivetoHopeAvenue. Consideringthemisleadinglanguageasnotedabove,somepeoplemayseetheBuildalternativesasawaytoavoidordelaytheneedformajorchangesinWestSalemlikeputtingupbarrierstoleftturnsandstoppingcrosstrafficonWallace Road.YetthesearetheverysolutionsthatprovidethegreatesttrafficflowbenefitsandcanbedoneindependentfromtheBuildalternatives,atasmallfractionofthecost.

31 7 G Bassett WallaceRoadUrbanMedianBarrierandParallelFrontageStreets ThereshouldbeacenterlanebarrierorraisedmedianstripalongtheentirelengthofWallaceRoadinsidetheCityofSalem.North/SouthalternativestoWallaceRoadshouldbebuiltonboththeeastandwestsidesofWallaceRoad. TheonlytrafficcrossingWallaceRoadinsidetheCityofSalemshouldbeatnewoverpassesandsignalizedintersectionsincludingafewnewones.Forexample,overpassescouldbelocatedatGlenCreekRoadandEdgewaterStreet,andsignals addedatHarrittDriveandHopeAvenue. ThesouthblocksofWallaceRoadareanightmareespeciallywhendriverstrytocrossWallaceRoadatdrivewaysandnonsignalizedintersections.(ThesouthendofWallaceRoadisbecomingmorelikeLancasterDriveeachyearbutwithoutthe threeparallelalternativesofHawthorneAvenue,CordonRoad,andI5.) TheCumulativeImpactsChapteroftheDEISstatesonthetopofpage415that: "SomeBuildalternativeswouldlimitaccesstorightin/rightoutonWallaceRoad.Ifthisareaweretoretainitseconomicvitality,itislikelythatthesealternativeswouldrequirefuturetrafficcirculationplanningtopromoteefficientaccesstothe commercialareasonbothsidesofWallaceRoad.Similarareashavereliedon'backage'roadstobringcustomersbacktointersectionswithfulldirectionalmovements.TheseaccommodationsarenotincludedinanyoftheBuildalternativesat thistime...However,theywouldlikelyberequiredatsomepointinthe20yearprojecttimeframeofthisanalysis." Ratherthanwaitforyearsintothefuturetobuildthesefrontageand"backage"roads,addressthetrafficproblemsinWestSalemnowindependentfromconsideringanyoftheSalemBridgeCrossingalternatives. 32

SALEMRIVERCROSSINGDEISCOMMENTS

A 1 ID# 7

B SubID# H

C Category Traffic

D Subcategory OptionstotheBuild Alternatives

E Name Bassett Comment LaneSeparatingBarrierDowntheMiddleofMarionStreetBridge

TrafficfromFrontStreetwhichenterstheMarionStreetBridgeinthesouthofthefourlanesshouldnotbeabletotakethefirstWestSalemexitramp. TrafficflowandsafetywouldbeimprovedifalanebarrierisplaceddownthemiddleofMarionStreetBridgefromjusteastoftheFrontStreetonramp. DriverstravelingwestacrossthebridgewouldneedtodecideiftheyaretakingthefirstWestSalemexitBEFOREtheyenterthebridgeratherthanweavingacrosstwotothreelanesoftrafficinthelengthofthebridge. Alternative2Aincludesthisbarrierwhichshouldbeinstalledontheexistingfourlanebridge.(ThisNoBuildoptioncouldbecalledAlternative1Bwiththe"B"forbarriers.)TruckstravelingfromthenorththatturnrightattheeastendofMarion StreetBridgewouldstillhaveenoughroomtomakethecorner,sincethecenterlanebarrierwouldnotstartuntiljustbeforethetrafficmergesontothebridgefromFrontStreet. ThisbarrierbetweenthetwocenterlanesofMarionStreetBridgemightbetheleastexpensiveoptiontoimprovesafetyandtrafficflow.Ratherthancostinghundredsofmillions(oreventensofmillionsofdollars),itwouldcostmoreforthe newdirectionalsignagethaninstallingthebarriers.

33 Traffic OptionstotheBuild Alternatives ExitRamptoMarineDriveandGlenCreekfromMarionStreetBridge TheSeptember30,1998WillametteRiverBridgeheadEngineeringStudysaidthatanexitrampfromMarionStreetBridgetoGlenCreekRoad"wouldincreasetheMarionSt.bridgecapacityto5900vehiclesperhour,whichisa25to30percent increaseovertheexistingcapacity." Alternative2Aistheonlyalternativethatincludesthisofframp,butsinceithasa"significantimpact"onMarionSquareParkitshouldnotbeconsidered. A"lowbuild"alternativecalled"1A"shouldbeconsideredthatwouldnotaddanylanestoMarionStreetBridgebutwouldincludeanexitramptoMarineDrive.MarineDrivewouldintersectwithGlenCreekRoad.Thiswouldrealizethe20to30 percentincreaseinMarionStreetBridgecapacityatasmallfractionofthecostofanybuildalternative. ItisnotreasonablethatalternativeswithfatalflawsshouldstillbeonthetablegivenhowmucheffortandexpensehasbeeninvestedinthedesignofAlternative2A,yetthe"significant"impactonMarionSquareParkhasnotbeenaddressed. FortheTaskForceandtheOverviewTeamtoconsideratthislatedatesendingAlternative2AbacktotheconsultantstotryandremovethesignificantParkimpactwouldbeanunwarrantedcommitmentofmoneyandfurtherdelayaprocess thatiswayoverduealready.AtthisstageintheprocessitistoolatetoputmoneyintostudyingAlternative2Aanyfurther.Allfuturespendingshouldgointothefinalengineeringandconstructionofoptionslikethewestendofframpfromthe existingMarionStreetBridgetoMarineDriveandGlenCreek. 34 7 I Traffic BuildAltsnotcost effectivewayto addressneeds Bassett ThirdBridgeProposalsDon'tAddressCausesofCongestionTheproposedThirdBridgeexpresswayfromWestSalemto15soundstoogoodtocometrue,andnoneoftheoptionsunderconsiderationwillsolvetherealproblems:poortraffic flowonWallaceRoadandpoorlyroutedtrafficapproachingthebridges.Withorwithoutanewbridge,SalemshouldfixWallaceRoadcongestionandthe"ends"oftheexistingbridges.Theleastexpensiveoftheeight"build"alternatives($148 million)shouldbeeliminatedbecauseofprohibitedimpactsonMarionSquarePark.Theotheralternativescostfrom$306millionto$708millionabout$2,000to$4,500perSalemresident.Ifall84,400vehiclescrossingthebridgesdaily(31 millionperyear)weretopaya$1toll,itwouldtake10to23yearstopayfortheconstruction,notincludinginterestcostsortollcollectionexpenses.WilltheTaskForceandOversightCommitteedecidethissummerorfalltorepeathistory?A 1974studyconsideredsixcrossingoptions,includingoneatPineStreet,andconcluded"...nonewcrossingalternativewassatisfactory...Allhadextensiveimpactsandcosts...Noalternativeemergedasamajoritychoice.Estimatedcostsfora newcorridoralsoprovedfarinexcessofavailablefunds.Hencetheproposalforbuildinganewbridgeinanewcorridorwasabandoned..."A1980studyconcluded:"Itshouldbenotedthattheissueofbridgecapacitiesismorecomplexthan totalingthenumberofcrossings.Actually,itisnotthebridgespersebutthecapacitylimitationsoftheabuttingsignalizedintersections..."WhetherornottheThirdBridgeisabandonedagain,itistimeforthepublicandelectedofficialstolook atoptionsthatspeeduptheexistingbridgelanesbyfixingthe"ends"ofthebridges.Projectscosting$10Sofmillionsratherthan$100Sofmillionscouldimprovecirculationatbothendsoftheexistingbridges,reducingbackupsforboth eastboundandwestboundtraffic.WeshouldbebuildingstreetsjusteastandwestofWallaceRoadthatwouldallowvehiclestobypassthecommercialstripifheadedforWestSalem's

35 residentialareasortowardpointsnorthofWestSalem,andreplacethetrafficsignalsatEdgewaterStreetandGlenCreekRoadwithoverpasses.ThefirstexitfromthebridgetoWestSalemshouldhavethreeoptions:OfframptoMarineDr.(to gettotheParkorallthewaytoRiverBendRd.orBrushCollegeRd.)RighttoWallaceRd.(togoshopping)OverpasstocrossWallaceRd.(toresidentialareas)ThenewoverpassatEdgewatercouldcarryabikelaneconnectingtotheoldrailroad bridgeandlinktoanewNorth/SouthalternatetoWallaceRd.allthewaytoOrchardHeightsRd.underandconnectingtoGlenCreekRd.Ontheeastsideoftheriver,redesignofwestboundapproachestoMarionStreetbridge,andanewflyover connectionbetweenCenterStreetbridgeandLibertyStreetnorthofdowntown,wouldallowforremovalofsometrafficsignalsattheeastendofthebridges,andasaferandmoreorganizedflowoftrafficintoPolkCountyandnorthtoward15. NewofframpsontheeastsideoftheBridgeshouldusetheexistingRightofWayandcouldincludeablockortwoofviaductstoconnectnorthtowardtheSalemParkway.TheideaofanoverpassofWallaceRdatEdgewaterandnearGlenCreek isnotnewasshownontheattachedproposalsin1946and1948.Alsoincludedinthe1948proposalwasanoptionfortheeastendofbridgetraffictoavoidCommercialStreet.BypassWallaceRd. 36 8 A Cost/Funding Buildaltsnot financiallyfeasible Bassett,Scott Afterlivingfor30yearsintheFairmontNeighborhood,decidedtoescapetheinnercityandgooutandliveinthesuburbsthatisajoke.SowhatIwanttosayisthatI,youknow,IliketheideaofafreewayorexpresswayfromWestSalemall thewaytoI5,ifsomeoneelsepaysforit.Butifitisnoteconomicallyfeasible,tolookatoptionsthatcosthundredsofmillionsofdollarsandyouendupscalingbackthepublicpolicydiscussion,it'sreducedtotensofmillionsofdollarsrather thanhundredsofmillionsofdollars,thereareoptionstogettheexistingeightlanestomove.Asamatteroffact,iftheexistingeightlanes,fourineachdirection,movedatthepostedspeedof35milesperhour,youcouldget6800carsacross thereeveryhour.Sorightnow,thepeakhouris8100,soyouaregettingclosertothegap,6400versus8100anhour.Sowhenyousay,well,whatarethewaystogetitmovingfaster?Takeoutsomeofthestoplightsonbothends.WhenIread thefinalEnvironmentalImpactStatementthelasttimethebridgewaschangedin'83,theysaidyoucoulddoalotbyreducingtheamountofdelaygettingoffandontheroad.AndthepagethatIreferredtoearlierfor415,itsaysthatundersix ofeightalternatives,eventhoughtheyarecallingitsubbuildalternatives,youaregoingtolimitrightin,rightoutaccessonWallaceRoadprimarilycausedbyWallaceRoadbackingupontothebridge,andbackingallthewaytotheParkway.

37

SALEMRIVERCROSSINGDEISCOMMENTS

A 1 ID# 9

B SubID# A

C Category Traffic

D Subcategory OptionstotheBuild Alternatives

E Name Bassett,Scott

F Comment That'snotthewholeproblem,butthat'samajorpartoftheproblem.Sowhenyoustarttosay,whataretheoptionstobeabletogetWallaceRoadsoitisn'tbackingupandIjusthaveonecopyofthiswhatitbasicallyshowsistheblacked outareasinredare9whereyoucan'tgoparalleltoWallaceRoad.Sothisreferencetobackageroadsmayjustbeintothebusinessesthemselves,oritmaybetalkingaboutabypassofWallaceRoad.SothelastthingIwouldsayinmyone minuteistosayifyoureachapointwhereyoudiscountthehundredsofmillionsofdollarsworthofoptions,andyoustartlookingatalternativesto1,Iwouldsuggestthreeflavors.1A,makeitlike2A,withouttheextrabridgelanes,anddon't cutthecorneronMarionStreetPark.1B,dothebackageroads,bypassWallaceallthewayuptoBrushCollege.3,option1E,wouldbetocloseEdgewateratWallace,runabarrierdownWallace,makeitsothere'snolefthandturns,rightin, rightoutonly.AndyouwouldhaveallthetrafficonWallaceinthemorningsnothavetostopatEdgewater.YoucouldprovidesomelocalaccesstoEdgewater,butyouwouldhavetwolanesdedicatedtogetoverthebridgeinthemorning.Puta medianbarrieronMarionStreetintheafternoonsotherighttwolanesarededicatedtoWestSalem,thelefttwolanes,includingthefeedfromFrontStreet,hastogopastWestSalemtoatleastRosemont.Justtheideais,insteadofimposing overpassesontheeastsideoftheriver,lookatsomeoverpassesandsomethingonthewestside,includingunfortunately,removingsomepeople'sviewsthataretwoblocksupfromWallacethatcouldbeagoodalternate.SoIamoutoftime. Thankyouverymuch.AndIwillgetbackmyhistoricalone,andmylittlemap.

38 10 A Traffic BuildAltsnotcost effectivewayto addressneeds Bassett,Scott Sowiththis,theTaskForceandtheOversightCommittee,ingovernmentyoukindofrequestuptoyourthresholdofembarrassment,whatoptionsareyougoingtoallowtobeonthetable.Rightnowyouhavegoteightlanesouttherethatare poorlyused.Theirefficiencyrateisverylow.Andundertheoptionsyouincreaseitto11,andthenyouincreaseitbyacouplemore.Option4BaddsninemorelanestocrosstheWillametteRiver.That's17lanesthathavebeenrunthroughthe analysisprocess,throughtheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement,andIwouldsaythatthathaspushedthethresholdofembarrassmentontalkingabout17lanesacrosstheriver.Somyothercommentsweremorepositivethanthat,butI thoughtIwouldendonalownote. Iwanttotalkaboutthenobuildalternative.And,basically,tosaythattheresidentsofWestSalemarehurtbytrafficeveryday.Butintermsofhelpingtosolvetheproblem,theyhavenoskininthegameAndsowhydoIsaythat?The alternativesputoverpassesontheeastsideoftheriverandafewonthewestside.ButuntilWallaceRoadhasalternativesthatallowfornorth/southtrafficWallaceRoadisgoingtocontinuetobackuptrafficontothebridgeandallthewayout totheSalemParkway.AndsothecostofthesealternativesissoextremelyhighthatlookingathundredsofmillionsofdollarsworthofprojectsandIthinkthatthebudgetreallyshouldbeinthetensofmillions,notthehundredsofmillionsSo whatIwouldproposeisthatoncetheygothroughthisprocessandconcludethattheydonothavethemoneytofund150to700milliondollarsworthofprojects,theyneedtolookatalternativestothenobuildalternativethatwouldbeavery lightbuildalternative.AndsoI'lljustmentionthreeofthoserealquickly.Alternative1Awouldbelike2Abutwithoutanyextrabridgelanes,anditwouldnotcutthroughMarionSquarePark.Alternative1B,whichyoucouldsaytheBstandsfor bypassWallaceRoadoryoucouldsaythatitstandsforatermthattheyuseinthereportcalledbackageroads,takeoffonfrontageroadsthatarenotadjacenttotheroadbeingbypassed.So1BwouldhavewouldbypassWallaceRoadonboth sidesallthewaytoBrushCollege.AndontheeastsideitwouldgoonMarineDrive,whichisproposed,andonthewestsideitwouldgothroughexclusiveneighborhoodsthathavebeenveryeffectiveatprotectingtheirview,itwouldgoon,like, Patterson.Andsothetrafficthatnowissittingonthebridgewaitingtogetthroughlightsatthebottom,thosewouldbeopenedup.

39 11 A Alternative Preference NoBuild;doother modifications Bassett,Scott

40 12 A Traffic OptionstotheBuild Alternatives Bassett,Scott IguessI'llmentiontwoothers.1RwouldberightinandrightoutonallofWallaceRoad.There'dbeabarrierdownthemiddle,andifyouwanttocrossWallaceRoadyouwouldgotooneoffourstoplightsandgotoabackageroadandthen comearoundit.Sowithouthavinganyadditionalfootprintofnewconstruction,iftheylookatjustmakingtheexistinglaneswork,theycantakecareofabout80percentofpeakhourtrafficjustwiththeexistingfourlanesineachdirection.And thebasisforthatcalculationiseachlaneoftrafficacrossthebridgegoing35milesanhourshouldbeabletocarry1600carsperhour.Andwhenyoumultiplyfourtimes1600youendupwith,like,6400carsperhourabletotravelonexisting lanes.AndthenI'llmentiononeotherthing.Thealternativesrightnowyou'vegoteightlanestotalgoingacrosstheriver.Onealternativeexpandsitto11.Someoftheotheralternativesexpanditoutalittlefarther.Butit'salmost embarrassingthatoneofthealternativesthat'sbeenpricedandanalyzedinthedraftenvironmentalimpactstatementgoesfrom8lanesto17lanes.Thewhythepublicpolicyfolkswouldevenconsideranoptionthathas17lanescrossingthe WillametteRiveratSalemisreallysurprisingthatthatwouldevenbeputonthetable.Sothepriceperperson,ifyoulookattheresidentsoftheSalemMetropolitanarea,orifyoulookattheresidentsofthecityofSalemoryoulookatthe numberofresidentsinWestSalemoryoulookatthenumberofresidentsinPolkCounty,allofPolkCounty,thecostperpersonfromtheleastexpensivetothemostexpensiveiswaybeyondareasonablecost.Myself,Iwouldloveitiftherewas afreewaytoWestSalemtoI5aslongassomebodyelsepays.Butwedon'thaveafreesourceofmoneycominginfromthefederalgovernmentorthestategovernment.Andifthisisgoingtobefundedbyusers,evenifyouhaveatollof$1per crossingoftherivereverytimeyoucrosstheriveryouarestillgoingtotakefiveyearstopayitbackundertheleastexpensiveoption,anditwouldtake35yearstopayitbackunderthemostexpensiveoption.Andthatdoesnotaccountfor inflationthatwouldprobablyadd70percenttothecostonceyoupayoffthefinancing.

41 13 A Cost/Funding Buildaltsnot financiallyfeasible Bassett,Scott MynameisScottBassett,andIliveinSouthSalemonWildwoodDrive.AndIjustwanttohighlightthatifthisprocessdoesgetboggeddown,andthere'sacoupleofreasonswhyitcouldeasilygetboggeddown,thatthere'sanopportunityto addresssomeoftheunderlyingcongestionissuesatbothendsofthebridgeandWallaceRoad.Soasfarasreasonswhythismightgetlogjammed,again,istolookathistory.In'74thereweresixoptionsconsidered,andattheconclusionofthat reportaftertheylookedatsixoptions,includingPineStreet,nonewcrossingalternativewassatisfactory.Allhadextensiveimpactsandcosts.Noalternativeemergedasamajoritychoice.Estimatedcostforanewcorridoralsoprovedfarin excessofavailablefunds,andIdon'tknowwhathaschangedinthatregard.Hence,theproposalforbuildinganewbridgeandanewcorridorwasabandoned.Thenin1980,whenthefiscaltheEnvironmentalImpactStatementfortheCenter StreetandMarionStreetbridgeexpansion,theyhadsomethingthatIthoughtwasprettyinsightful.Anditwas,quote,"Itshouldbenotedthattheissueofbridgecapabilityismorecomplexthantotalingthenumberofcrossings.Actually,itisnot thebridgeperse,butthecapacitylimitationsofthesignalizedintersections."SowhatIhaveherefortherestofitisalittlehistory,andsomeproposalstosayifyoujuststartedfromscratchandsaid,whatcanyoudotogetthebridgetraffic moving,therearesomeideasthatareincludedinthetestimony. Thelastpage,becauseIamprobablywindingdownontime,thelasttwopages,Iwouldliketohighlightsomehistory.IshowedwhatIshouldsayisIaskedifthe1980report,thelastEnvironmentalImpactStatementwasincludedasa referencedocumentinthedoorstopdocument.AndIlookedthroughit,anditwasn't.AndIwastoldbyoneoftheconsultantsitwasirrelevantwhatwasdone30yearsago.AndreadingtheseconclusionsitmaybethattheTaskForceand OversightCommitteeactuallyendupquotingsomeoftheconclusionsthere.Butsincethepersonwasnotimpressedwithsomethingthatwas30yearsold,IthoughtIwouldsharesomethingthatisover66yearsoldwiththegroup.Thetoppage showsyouthatyoureallycanhavenostoplightatEdgewater,andwhatwouldbethesouthendofWallaceRoad.Andbasicallyyoujustoverpassit.Andthenthelastone,thisisfrom1946,don'tworryaboutthesitethattheywerelookingat. Lookatwhattheyrealized.TheyrealizedWallaceRoadwasgoingtocontinuetobeaorwasgoingtobecomeamajorproblem,sotheyactuallyputanoverpassofWallaceRoadataboutGlenCreek,andtheyalsomadeitsoyoudidn'thaveto gothroughstoplightsonCommercialtogetontothebridge.Somytimeisup,andIappreciatethechancetosharealittlebitofhistory,andmaybeitwillturnoutdifferentthistime.

42 14 A Traffic OptionstotheBuild Alternatives Bassett,Scott

43 15 A Traffic OptionstotheBuild Alternatives Bassett,Scott Iwanttotalkaboutlowcost,lowercostoptionstogettrafficmovingonthebridge,andspecificallyaboutthreeoptionstohavebarriersthatwouldhelpdothat.Sobarriersdownthemiddleofbothbridgesisthebasicidea,andsothatpeople wouldmaketheirchoiceoftheexittheyaregoingtotakeorthemainroadwhentheygetwhentheyaregettingonthebridgeratherthanhalfwaydownthebridge,changinglanes,twoorthreelanes.Alsowanttotalkaboutbarrierson WallaceRoad,specificallythesouth10blocks.SixofeightproposalsalreadyputraisedmediansorotherformsofmediansonWallaceRoad,andiftherewasbettertrafficandlesscrosstrafficonWallaceRoad,thenitwouldhelpthebridge.And thenifthebarrierisonthefulllast10or12blocks,thentherewouldnotbeanycrosstrafficacrossWallaceatEdgewatercomingfromtheeasttothewest.TrafficgoingwestonEdgewaterwouldbeabletogoontothefreeway,tothebridge onramp,butpeoplecomingofftheofframpgoingeastwouldnotbeabletocrossEdgewater.SolastthingI'dsayherejustinsummary,ratherthanlookingatoptionsthatcosthundredsofmillionsoreventensofmillionsofdollars,formaybe tensofthousandsofdollarsinlanebarriers,youcouldincreasethecapacityofthebridgesbyanoticeableamount.Theonlyothercostasidefromthebarrierswouldbesomesignage. MynameisDaveBauer,andIhaveabusinessonLibertyStreet,andIalsoownanofficebuildingthatweleaseoutonLibertyStreet.WhenitcomestoOption3,wearerightsquareunderneathwhereeverythinggoes,sowewouldbetotally wipedout,whichisfine.Andwe'renotopposingorsuggestinganyparticularoptionatthistime.Moreforinformation,wantingtoknow,isitgoingtobenarroweddowntocertainoptions?Kindoflikeakidinacandystorenow.Wehavealotof thingstopickfrom,andIwaswonderingifit'sgoingtobenarroweddown,andatthattimeiforhowthatpartworks.Iwouldliketocommendeverybody.Thenextdoorroomhadgreatinformationforthoseofusthatcamedown.Idon't knowifeverybodyintheareathatisgoingtobeaffectedisgoingtobeabletocomedownornot.Butthoseresourcesinthatroomareansweringlotsofquestions.Iknowit'sstillearly.WhenIwasontheschoolboard18yearsagowewerestill talkingaboutthebridgesatthattime.Ifit'sgoingtogetanycloser,Ithinkweneedtoletpeopleknowsothattheycanbeabletoactuallymakecomments.AtthistimeIdon'tthinkthere'senoughinformationandenoughfinalitytotheoptions tomakeanobservation.

44 16 A ProjectTimeline Moreinfoneeded Bauer,Dave

45

SALEMRIVERCROSSINGDEISCOMMENTS

A 1 ID# 17 46 18

B SubID# A A

C Category Alternative Preference WaterResources

D Subcategory Alt4C Floodplain

E Name Bazniak,Roman Bellamy,Gil

F Comment Ihavespecificconcernsabouteffectsontrafficconditions:ByPassfromParkwaytocoastlikeBeltlineinEugene.4Cseemsthemostlogicalandefficient(cost?) ThisisRiverRoadPark,thisisFredMeyerNorth.Thisistheislandthatwe'realltalkingabout,theMcLaneIsland.Youaretalkingaboutputtingabridgeoverrighthereontheendofthisisland,oracrossit.ThisisPinerightdownthere.Thisisthe WillametteRivertoday.Rightherewheremyfingersare,that'sallthisistheWillametteRiver.ThisisFebruary9,1996,thedaythatitcrested.Aren'tyougoingtoaskmehowIgotasatellitephoto?Ifyouaregoingtoputabridgehereorhere, andputawholemillionsofcubicfeetoffillinherewithalloftheseinterchangesandthings,youaregoingtoruinthatfloodplain.Consequenceswouldbedire.MyfamilyandIjetskiedonBroadwayStreetbetweenFredMeyerNorthand McDonald'sduringthatflood.TheywerelikeafootawayfromruiningFredMeyerNorth.Here'sourjetski.ThisisonBroadway,here'sthelightsattheParkway.Andanyway,thisistheparkinglotofFredMeyer,andeverythingbutthebuilding wasalittlebithigherthantheland,samewaywithMcDonald's.Theywerenotdamaged.Theywouldhavebeen,givenanotherfootofwater.ThisistheaftermathandFEMApaidmesomemoneyforthis.Myland'srighthere.That'sthat's howimportantthatfloodplainis. TherewasverylittledamageindowntownSalem,whichwasrealclosetogettingflooded,andthehomesandbusinessesallovertheplace.Thiswasn'tevenmentionedinyourplan.Thissaysthatofthe11ofthe13WillametteValleydamsare notgoingtoholdasmuchwaterinthefuture,becausetheArmyCorpsofEngineersisafraidofthedesignofthefloodgates.Soifwehavea1996volumeofwateragain,we'regoingtohavemorewaterindowntownSalemthanwedidlasttime. Andhistorytellsusthatthatwasn'tthebiggestfloodthatcamethroughhere.SoyouhavetobecarefulaboutmessingwiththisfloodplainthatmakestheWillametteRivergofromheretoheretoheretohere(indicating).It'scoming downstreamthisway.Youdon'twanttomessupthisareainhere.That'sthemainthingthatIwantedtosaytonight.Thesephotosareofmyhouselookingouttotheriver.Thisismydock,andyoucanseeit'sprettymuchevenwithmyland.A fewmorefeetwell,weweretoldtoevacuate.TheysaidthewaterwouldbeeightfeethigheronFebruary8ththanitwas,butitonlywentonefoothigherbecauseofthefabulouseffectofthefloodplain.AnditallshoweduponthatFebruary 9thsohere's,you're20feetdownnormallyonthewater,soitwas20feethigherthannormal.AndthisisthearticleabouttheArmyCorpsofEngineersnotholdingbackasmuchwaterinthefutureon11of13damsinthevalley.

47

48 OnFebruary8,1996,thepredictionwasthatthefloodwatersoftheWillametteRiverwouldrise8morefeetandcrestonFebruary9.However,thefloodlevelonlyroseonemorefootbecausetheWestSalemfloodplainworkedtospreadout thewaterandkeeptheriveratalowerlevel.AsatellitephototakenonFebruary9,1996,isavailablefromtheUSGSthatvisuallyshowstheboundariesofthefloodplainandhowitworkedeffectively.Duringthe1996flood,myfamilyrodeJet SkisonBroadwayStreetbetweenFredMeyerNorthandMcDonaldsRestaurant.lfthewaterlevelhadbeenjustalittlehigher,thesebusinessesandothers,aswellasmanyhomes,wouldhavebeenseriouslyimpacted.Theoptionsinvolvinga bridgeateitherPineorTryonStreetswouldrequiremillionsofcubicyardsoffillfortheapproachestothebridgeonthewestendofthebridge.Addingsomuchfillwouldseriouslyalterthefloodplainthatsavedhomesandbusinessesnearthe WillametteRiver,aswellasbuildingsindowntownSalemduringthe1996flood.Historytellsusthattherewillmostlikelybefloodswithgreatervolumesofwaterthanweexperiencedin1996.Thetimeforprotectingthewestsidefloodplainis now,andwedarenotincreasethefloodingpotentialinSalembybuildingabridgethroughit.Suchactioncouldresultinnumerouslawsuitsfromlossoflivesandproperty.WhatisreallyneededforthenextcenturyisaBeltlinelikethe Washington,DCBeltwayortheEugene,ORBeltline.TherecouldbeashorterbridgeovertheriveratChemawaRoadwhichconnectstoafreewayinterchange,andasecondshorterbridgecrossingtheriverfromthecurrentsouthendofDoakes FerryRoad.ThiswouldallowforaninterchangeatDoakesFerryRoadandHighway22.ThissecondbridgewouldcrosstheWillametteRiverneartheformerEolaInn(nowRockin'RogersRestaurant).TheextendedDoakesFerryRoadacrossthe bridgewouldalsoconnectwithRiverRoadSouthandKuebler. 49 18 B Traffic OptionstotheBuild Alternatives Bellamy,Gil ChemawaRoadontheNorthendDoakesFerryRoadonthewestsideKueblerRoadonthesouthCordonRoadorl5ontheeast.NiceBeltline. AnotherpossibilityisabridgeatWheatlandRoadwhereitcrossestheriverandconnectstoWallaceRoadonthewestside.Ontheeastside,Wheatland connectstoHopmereRoadwhichleadstothefreewayinterchangeatBrooks.Weneedtoplanforthisnowwhilethehomeandbusinessimpactisminimal.Ournextbridgewillstillbestandingahundredyearsfromnow,andabeltlinewill definitelybeneededtomanagethetrafficinandaroundSalem.ThetimeforcreatingaBeltlinewithappropriatebridgesacrosstheWillametteRiverisnow.GilBellamySalem,Oregon MynameisGretchenBennett.AndIamhereonbehalfof2685FourthStreet,Northeast,that'sthenumber4.Okay.Well,atthataddressisourcommunity'schildabuseassessmentcenter.Ithinkwe'reareallyspecialanduniqueproperty,and ourinterestinthisisthatunderOptions3,4C,and4D,and4Ewewouldberelocated.AndwhatIwantedtodoismakesurethatIcommunicatedthewayweseehowvaluableourexistingpropertyissothatwhenwegettothatrelocation discussion,ifwedointhefuture,Ihaveconveyedthattoyou.Ithinkwe'reauniquebusiness.Andnumberone,thechildrenandfamiliesthathavechildabuseconcernsreallyvaluetheirprivacy.Andrightnowwe'reuniquelypositionedonour propertytoprovidereallyprivateaccessforchildrenandfamilieswhoarecomingtoassessreallysensitive,mostlysexualabuseconcerns.Sothatprivacyiscritical.Atthesametimewe'repositionedwithinMarionCountytohaveaccesstowe think,prettyeasilywhenyouareonSalemParkway,we'renearLiberty,nearBroadway,sofamiliescangettousfairlyeasily.Andwe'refairlycentrallylocated,weservethewholecounty,Woodburn.Sowevaluethat,aswell.Thirdly,beinga nonprofitandhavingoverhalfofourbudgetcomefromprivatecommunitydonations,welovebeingatopofmindreminderforanyofourdriverswhoaretravelingnorthonLibertyandaccessingSalemParkway,orgoingfromSalemParkway aroundsouth.Ican'ttellyouhowmanytimespeoplehavecalledonthephoneandsay,Hey,IjustdrovebyLibertyHouse,anditmademethinkofyou.Sowehonestlybenefitfrombeingvisibletoourdonors.SoyoucanseeIhavelovedthe existinglocation,becauseoftheprivacyforourfamilies,theaccessfromthecounty,andthetopofmindopportunityforthedonors.SoIwantedtogoonrecordascommunicatinghowvaluablethatistous.Wecertainlyrespectandunderstand thebroaderissuesaroundtraffic.Wesimplywanttoconveythevaluethatweseetoourexistingpropertysothatcanbefactoredintotheconversation.

50 19 A Socioeconomics Residentialimpacts Bennett,Gretchen

51 20 52 53 20 54 20 20 55 20 56 21 A B C D E A Socioeconomics Socioeconomics Socioeconomics Traffic AirQuality Alternative Preference Residentialimpacts Bergel,Peter Ihavespecicconcernsaboutthefollowing:Effectsonresidents,businesses,andvisitors:Takingpeopleshomestoprovidemorespaceforautomobilesisplacingthewrongprioritiesatthetop. Effectsonpublichealthandsafely/neighborhoodlivability:Moreautosalwayscompromiseslivability. Effectsonthelocalandregionaleconomy:WestSalemneedstodevelopitsownneighborhood,notbeathoroughfatetosomewhereelse. .Effectsontrafficconditions:Whatalwaysseemstobeignoredisthatprovidingspaceformoretrafficleadstomoretrafficandsoonwefindourselvesagainbeingaskedtowidenthetrafficspace. Effectsonthenaturalenvironment:MoretrafficmeansmoreairpollutionandCO2.Beforegivingmorespacetovehiculartraffictheenvironmentseffectonclimatechangemustbetakenveryseriously. IamPattyBjornson,BethelHeightsRoad,Northwest.SoIamveryfarnorth.AndIabsolutely150percentsupportanewbridge.Ilookedoverthealternatives,andIfeelthatwhileIlikesomeoftheotheralternative4sevenbetter,4Aseemsto givethebiggestrelieffromcongestionandfortheleastcost.AndIthinkthatitwillIthinkit'sabsolutelyimperativethatwebuildanotherbridgeforsafety.Ifthere'sanearthquakeorsomenaturaldisaster,therereallyaren'ttwobridges, there'sonlyone.Andwehavenowaytogetacrosstheriver,exceptfortheWheatlandFerry,whichseemsalittlearchaicinthiscentury.Ittakesmeabout40minutesfrommyhousetogettoI5ifIgoallthewaydowntothebridge,andcross, andthenallthewaybackup.Anditvariesbasedontrafficandtimeofday.IhavetraveledfromPortland.IusedtoliveinPortland,andIhavetraveledfromPortlandtogettoclassesattheEolaCampusofChemeketaCommunityCollege,and onetimeIgotsostuckintrafficcomingdownSalemParkwayandcrossingthebridgethatbythetimeIgotthere,myclasswasdone,andIdroveallthewayfromPortland.SoIwascaughtinsomehorribletrafficjam,andIspentovertwohours tryingtogetIgotoffthefreewayokay,butIcouldn'tmakeittoclass.SoIdon'tknowwhatelseIcansayotherthanthat.Itotallysupportit.TheotherthingIwouldsayisthatIthinkthereducedtrafficonthegivingalternativesonWallace Roadwouldactuallyimprovecommerce,becauseatthispointnow,IneverItryandavoidthatareaasmuchaspossible,especiallyduringrushhour.It'sdangerous,youcan'tmakealefthandturn.There'sjusttoomuchtraffic.Andthetraffic thatisfilinginthroughDowntownSalemwhenyoucrossthebridge,thatisacommercialareaforshopping,etcetera,andit'slikeahighwaygoingthroughthere.Soit'snotconducivetogooutandwalkaroundandgoshopping,becausetrafficis justwhizzingbyonCenterStreet.SoIthinkitwillimprovecommerceonbothsidesofthebridge,inadditiontoafreeflowoftrafficfromKeizertoWestSalem.

Residentialimpacts Bergel,Peter Economicimpacts Bergel,Peter Increasedcongestion Bergel,Peter Decreasedairquality Bergel,Peter Alt4A Bjornson,Patty

57 22 58 A Alternative Preference Alt2A Brown,JamesA. Preferredalternativeisthe2A,increasingtrafficloadonexistingbridges,andit'smosteconomicallyfeasible.

SALEMRIVERCROSSINGDEISCOMMENTS

A 1 ID# 23 59 24

B SubID# A A

C Category Socioeconomics Socioeconomics

D Subcategory Residentialimpacts Residentialand businessimpacts

E Name Butler,Jake Cade,Roberta

F Comment Ihavespecificconcernsabouttheeffectsonresidents,businessesandvisitors.IfIamdisplacedfrommyhomewillIbecompensatedenoughtobeabletopayoffmyexistingmortgageandbuyanotherhome.Marketvalueisfardifferentthan itwasfouryearsagowhenIpurchasedmyhome. Ihavespecicconcernsaboutthefollowing:Effectsonresidents,businesses,andvisitors:MyhomehaslostpartofitsfrontyardalreadyduetowideningWallaceRd.Ifmoreistaken,possibleinsomeplans,mydiningroomwillbeonthe sidewalk.Myhousewillbelessdesirableandthereforethewholehomewouldneedtaking.Analternativewouldbetodeclareitcommercialproperty.IvelostmorethanIcaretomention.PleasedotherightthingandmakesureIloseno moreofthevalueinmyhome.Effectsontrafficconditions:AviaductfromtheParkwaytoRT22willcauselossoflocal(tome)business.WastherearampintoWestSalem?AmIentitledtoanattorneyinthecaseofeminentdomain?Isthere anyparticularreasonIwouldbeentitledtoanattorneyandifso,whatandwhenwouldIbe?reasonmeaninganythingsimilartoeminentdomain.

60 25 A Alternative Preference Buildalternativewith Carlson,Janet connectionfromOR 22toSalemParkway AndIamhereasacitizen,notrepresentingMarionCountybecauseSowhatItheprinciplesthatIaminterestedinhavingyoulookat,oneisthatIthinkthisneedstobeasolutionforthefuture.Iamreallyconcernedaboutasolution,that eventhoughitwouldbelowestcosttojustwidenthebridges,thatwewouldn'tbelookingatwhatSalemisgoingtoneed20yearsfromnow,50yearsfromnow,100yearsfromnow.Soeveninvesting$148millionintowideningitmaysolveof theshorttermproblem,butIdon'tthinkit'sgoingtoservethelongertermproblem.Weneedtobecreativeabouthowwelookatfinancing.Wehavetobeopentotolling,andsomeoftheseotherideastofindrevenuesources.WhenIam lookingatandpeoplearesaying,well,thehighestcostonesarejustmoremoneythanwecouldeverhave,$700plusmillion,andIamthinkingwhattheColumbiaRiverCrossingEnvironmentalStudieshavecostsofarincomparison.That'sthe totalcostofthebridge.SoIthinkweneedto,again,notclosethoseideasoff.ThelastthingIwouldwanttosayintermsofaprincipleisthatIreallythinkthatthesolutionneedstotakethetrafficoutofWestSalemandintoHighway22.Again,I haven'tlookedatwhetherit's4Cor4A,orwhateveroptionitis.ButtheonesthatcontinuethebackupalongCommercialStreetthatbacksupat5:00wayupintoNorthSalem,that'saproblem.Ithinktheidealsolutionistosomehowconnect theSalemParkwayacrosstherivertoHighway22withoptionsforpeopletogetoffinWestSalem,butnottakeitdowntown,andnothaveitgointoWestSalem.Sothosearemypreferences.

61 26 A Alternative Preference NoBuild Casper IsupporttheNoBuildoption.Ijustrecentlystartedbikecommutingmy2youngchildrentopreschoolanddaycareanditisapparentthatSalemisacarcentriccity.AthirdbridgeonethatisnotneededisasurefirewaytodoomSalem residentstocartravelallthetime.Evenwithbikeandpedestrian"access,"athirdbridgeistheretomovemorecars,faster. AsecondconcernIhaveisthevibrancyofSalem.AthirdbridgewillchangethewaypeoplevisitandseeSalemultimatelyhelpingpeoplegetoutofSalemintoPortlandfaster.WhatSalemneedsaremoreoptionsliketheUnionStreetBridge placesthathelppeoplefeelsereneandcalm.TheUnionStreetbridgeisawelltraveledpedestrianandbikebridgethatnotonlyallowspeopletogetwheretheyneedtogo,buthelpsthemseethebeautyinSalem. Mythirdconcernisthepricetag.Insteadofraisingmillionsandmillionsofdollarsforanunnecessarybridge,thatmoneyshouldbeusedtobuildparks,trailsandothersuchamenitieswithinSalem. AndthereasonIkeepsayingthatthebridgeisunnecessaryis:bridgetripsarenotincreasingrapidly;trendsshowyoungergenerationsbiking,walkingandusingtransitmore;andexpandingotheroptionsforpedestriansandbicyclists,motor vehicletripswillactuallydecrease. Pleasedon'twastetaxpayersmoneytoincreasevehiclespeeds,destroythevibrancyofSalemandkillanypossibilityofmakingSalemapedestrianandbikefriendlycommunity.

62 27 A Cost/Funding Moreinfoneeded Chang Theprojectisverycomplex.TheanalysisandDEISwasmademoredifficultbythelargenumberofalternativesbeingconsidered.Iwouldhavelikedtohaveoneormoreofthealternatives(4A,4B,4C,or4D)combinedintooneormore alternativeswithoptions.Theextremelyhighcostofeachalternative4C,4D,and4Eofapproximately$700millionshouldhaveeliminatedoneormoreofthesealternatives. Thediscussionregardingprojectfinancingiswoefullyinadequate(page2107,pages3215thru3218).TheDEISshouldhavehadarobustdiscussionofthevariousfundingoptionsi.e.cityand/orcountygastax,congestionpricing,additional vehiclelicensingfees,FederalDemonstrationProjectfunding,etc. Thediscussionoftollsoranyadditionalfeesimposedonthenewbridge(s)andtheexistingbridgeswillmaketheWestSalembusinessesandhousinglessappealing.Inthe80'sbeforetheCenterStreetBridgewasconstructedtheknockon WestSalemwasthatyouhadtocrossthebridgetogetthere.Tollsorotherfeestopayforthenewbridge(s)willhaveasimilareffectonWestSalem.InthisneweraofverylimitedfundsatboththeFederalandStatelevel,inmyopinionitwill beverydifficulttocompletetheNEPAprocesstoshowthatfundingisavailabletopayforthisproject. 28 A Alternative Preference NoBuild;construct otheroptions Charwin AccordingtotheStatementofPurposeandNeed,theproposedactionisintendedtoalleviate"congestionontheMarionandCenterStreetbridgesandontheconnectinghighwayandarterialstreetsystems."Noneoftheproposedoptionswill accomplishthatbasicpurposeoftheproject. Atbest,theproposedoptionswillmovesomeofthelongexistingbottleneckfromtheeastendoftheexistingbridgestothewestendoftheexistingbridges,adistanceofsome100150meters.Acurrentprojection(StatesmanJournalposting, June12)indicatesacostbetween$150and$700million,thoughthosefiguresappeartobequitespeculative.Ibelievethatmoneycouldbebetterspent. IfabridgeisbuiltneartowheretheSalemKeizerParkwayapproachestheriverandaMarineDriveisconstructed,someofthetrafficwillbedivertedontothatnewroadwayandsomeontoWallaceRoad.ItisunlikelythataMarineDrivecould beconstructed,becausetheplacementwillnotmeetfederalregulations.Idonotforeseeanenormousvariancebeinggrantedtoallowforthatconstruction.IfMarineDriveissomehowconstructed,trafficdivertedontoitand/orWallaceRoad willberoutedtoapointnearthewestendoftheexistingbridges.ThereitwillmergeontoHighway22orcrosstheexistingbridgestogetintotheEastSalemdowntownarea. IfabridgeisbuiltneartowheretheSalemKeizerParkwayapproachestheriverandnoMarineDriveisconstructed,mostofthetrafficwillprobablybedivertedontoWallaceRoad.Thatroadisalreadyinadequateforexistingtraffic.Also,withno otherpathavailable,thattrafficwillberoutedtoapointnearthewestendoftheexistingbridges.ThereitwillmergeontoHighway22orcrosstheexistingbridgestogetintotheEastSalemdowntownarea. Ibelievethosetwoscenariosprovidethebestalternativesofthoseproposedbut,forthereasonsjustdescribed,theywillnotmeetthebasicpurposeoftheprojectbecauseconnectinghighwayandarterialstreetsystemswillbeadversely effected.Themainachievementwillbemovementoftheexistingbottlenecksome100150meters.Also,eachofthosescenariosarereminiscentofwhatPortlanddidyearsago.AmajorthoroughfarewasbuiltonthewestsideoftheWillamette River,onlytobetorndownyearslatersoaRiverfrontParkcouldbebuiltinitsplace.WhyrepeatwhattheCityofPortlandeventuallyrealizedwasabaddecision?

63

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A 1 ID#

B SubID#

C Category

D Subcategory

E Name

F Comment Iunderstandthatthosebestcasescenarioshavebeenforceduponusbyadecisionmadeyearsago.ThatdecisionforcesallroutingtobeneartheEastSalemdowntownarea.Whatisneededisaroutetothewestsomewheretowardthenorth ofthecity.BecauseKeizerisimmediatelyadjacenttothenorth,thatroutemayneedtobenorthofKeizer.Attheveryleast,therouteneedstogothroughtheWestSalemhills.EitherofthoseoptionsneedtolinkupwithHighway22westof Salem. Sucharouteshouldbeplannedtobecomplementarytoacomparableroutefromthesouth.Thatsecondroutewouldeliminatesomeofthenorthboundtrafficthataddstotheexistingbottleneck.Onlybyplanningforabroaderapproachsuch asthiswillthebasicpurposeoftheprojectbemetbybuildinganotherbridge(s).Onlybyplanningforabroaderapproachsuchasthiswillthedecisionswemakenowcontinuetoimprovethesituationforyearstocome.Wemustnotallow ourselvestobelimitedtowhathasturnedouttobeamyopicdecision.Weshouldallowourselvestoconsideralloptionsandexaminewhathasworkedforotherareas. Idonotacceptanyoftheproposedbridgeoptions.Shouldtheybeplacedonaballot,Iwillnotvoteforanynewconstructionunlessamorecompleteplanisputforth. Asjustonealternative,whatcomparableimprovementscouldbeaccomplishedwith$150to$700million?Withthatsortoffunding,howmanypeoplecouldbeencouragedtoleavetheircarsathome?Howmanypeoplemightevenopttoget ridoftheircarsandjoinacooperativeserviceforoccasionalcaruse?(Insurancecoverageforsuchentitiesisnowrequiredbylaw.)Howmanypeoplecouldbeencouragedtoridesomeformofmasstransit?(Providinganopportunitytoimprove thecurrentsystem.)Howmanypeoplecouldbeencouragedtowalkformostoftheirintowntravel?Howmanypeoplecouldbeencouragedtobicycleformostoftheirintowntravel?Eachoftheseoptionswouldgotowardmeetingthebasic purposeoftheproject,ifsomefocuswasputonandeffortsmadetoimprovetheseotheroptions.For27ofthelast29yearsIhavelivedinSalem.Salemdoesnotprovideasafeenvironmentand,therefore,notthemostbasicincentivefor personaltransportationwithoutanautomobile. Ifsuchalternativeswereimplemented,Ibelieveasignificantdecreaseintrafficwouldbeaccomplished.Ifsuchalternativeswereimplemented,somepeoplecouldbegintobecomehealthierininnumerableways.Ifsuchalternativeswere implemented,thelocalenvironmentwouldimprove,allowingforyetmorehealthgainsforeveryone.Ifsuchalternativeswereimplemented,individualfuelandinsuranceexpenseswoulddecrease,allowingthoseindividualstousetheir resourcesformoreimportantpurchases.Ifsuchalternativeswereimplemented...well,Ihopethesefewmusingsaboutpossibleimprovementsindicatethatsuchalistcouldgoonandon.

65 29 A Alternative Preference Alt2A Childers,Lisa MynameisLisaChilders,andwelivejustaboutoneblockawayfromTryonStreet,andweareagainstanewbridgecomingintoTryonStreet.Wedobelievethatsomethingdoesneedtobedone,asmyparentsliveoverinWestSalem,andwe haveexperiencedfirsthandtheheavytrafficovertheexistingbridgeattimes.Weboughtourhomein2004toenjoythepeace,nature,andserenitythatthepropertyandtheenvironmenthastooffer.Ourfamilyofthreechildren,11,10,and8, andonefurrychild,adog,enjoythesafetyandquietofourhome.AbridgecomingintoTryonStreetjustablockawaywouldhaveamajorimpactonourwayoflife.Thisbridgewouldsignificantlychangeourwayoflife,andnotjustours,butthe animalsintheareaaswell.Weenjoywatchingthedeeracrosstheriver,theospreyintheparkrightnexttous,thebeaver,thegeese,theducks,andtheducklingsandgoslings.AbridgecomingintoTryonStreetwouldsignificantlyincreasethe pollutionlevelinourarea.Itwouldlowerourpropertyvalue,andbeamajorconcernforourfamily.Weareinfavorofwideningthecurrentbridge.Wefeelitmakesmoresenseeconomically.

66 30 A Alternative Preference Alt2A Childers,Lisa/HolmanIII, Weliveat215RivieraDriveNE,Salem,OR97303andweareopposedtoany5bridgebeingbuiltforenvironmental,economicandqualityoflifereasons.Ifanybridgewasbuilt,otherthanenlargingtheexistingbridge,itwouldbedevastatingto CT ourqualityoflifeandsignificantlylowerourpropertyvalue.Wepurchasedthishomein2004fortheserenityandconnectionwithnaturethatithas.Weenjoyosprey,beaver,fish,eagles,deer,raccoons,ducks,fishandamyriadofbirdsona dailybasisaswellasthenaturalsongsandsoundsthatthesecreaturesmakebecauseofhowquietandpeacefulourhomeandpropertyare.Notonlywoulditbeharmfultotheenvironmentandthecreaturesthatinhabitthisareaandcallit home,itwouldcompletelyalterourenvironmentaswellinanegativeway.AhugesprawlingbridgewouldbringnoiseandpollutionthatwouldbeIdetrimentaltoourhealthandpeacefulwayofliving.WefrequentlyvisitWestSalemasLisas parentslivethereandsowehaveIexperiencedfirsthandthedifferentlevelsoftrafficthattakeplaceacrossthebridgeandalongWallaceRoad.IFwecouldfinanciallysupportit,theonlyoptionthatwefeelmakesanysenseistowidenthe existingbridge.Thefinancialimpactthatanyoftheseprojectswouldmakeissimplytoocostlyaswell.Thankyouforyourtimeandconsideration.

67 31 A Alternative Preference Alt4C CityofDallas ThisletteristoinformyouoftheCityofDallas'ssupportforOption4CoftheSalemRiverCrossingproject.BecausethisoptionprovidesanewbridgeandbetterconnectivitybetweenOR22andultimately15viatheSalemParkway,wefeelthis optionwouldbeinthebestinterestoftheDallasresidents.Option4Cwillallowustobettermarketourindustriallocationstopotentialbuyerswhoareconcernedabouteasyaccesstointerstatetransportationfortheirgoods.Further,wefeel thebenefitsoutweightheimpactsofthisalternative. IwaslookingatthesecondaryconsiderationsappendixandsayYESPLEASEtoaparkandridebeingcreatedatWallaceMarinePark.Orevenjustaparkingareathatwecanusesafelytoshortenourwalkduringextremeweatherorminorinjury. WewillbemovingbacktotheTransportationbuildingsoonandIwillbewalkingtoworkandIlivewayoutinW.Salem.Itwouldbegreattogetdownpastthehillsandparkandthenwalkin.

68 32 A Traffic ConstructParkn'Ride Cl atWallaceMarine Park

69 33 A Alternative Preference Nonewbridge; Cohn,Amelia encouragealternate modes Newbridgeto Collins,MD(ret.) Pine/Hickoryand constructMarine Drive Residentialimpactin Courtney,Peter NorthSalem Iammostconcernedaboutbuildingabridgeformorevehicletrafficandspendingmillionsofdollarsonthiswhenfuelpricescontinuetorise.Thesemillionsshouldinsteadbespendonimprovingpublictransportation,anefficientbuslineor trainthatpeoplewhoworkdowntowncanparkandride.Thiswillreducetrafficsignificantly.Itwillalsoimproveourcityairqualitybyreducingcarpollution.Itwillkeepoutdowntownpedestrianfriendlyinsteadofanoisystinkingbusy roadway.IamconcernedthatthenewroadsatHopeAvewillimpacttheruralenvironmenttothatarea. HavinglivedinalmostALLsectionsofSalemduringthepast40yearsIbelievetheobjectofawidenedornewrouteacrosstheriveristorelievetrafficproblemsthatexistnowandtoimprovefuturetransitfromthecoast,fromRte.221tothe SalemParkwayandI5,inbothdirectionsandtoeasethedailycommutefromandtoWestSalemtodowntown.Thebestsolution,fundspermitting,longterm,istocreateMarineDriveandconnecttotheparkwayviaPineSt.Ithinkthatroute wouldbelessdisruptiveontheeastsidethantheTryoncourse. WewishtoregisterourobjectiontoAlternative3HopetoTryonwhichwouldhaveaverynegativeimpactonourneighborhoodofRiviera,DreamerieandIslandViewDriveNEandsurroundingneighborhoodsintheHighlandarea.Thecityhas madeitapriorityto"infill"vacantlotsandinthepast6years,4newhomeshavebeenbuiltonthesekindsoflotsbetweenFrontStreetandtheWillametteRiver.Notonlyhavethesenewownersmadedecisionstobuildandlivewithinthecity limits,butthesenewhomeshaveaddedmuchtothetaxrollsofthecity.Theproximityofanewbridgeincludingthenoisefactorandincreasedtrafficsoclosetoourhomeswilldecreasethevalueofnotonlythesenewhomesbutallofour homesinthisareaanddecreasethelivabilityofourneighborhood.TheAlternative3footprintismuchlargerthanthereportindicates.Thenumberofhomesaffectedwouldbemuchgreaterthanjustthosethatwouldhavetoberemoved.Itis ourbeliefthatifthisalternativeischosen,manyofourneighborswillmoveoutofthisarea. OurneighborhoodisadjacenttoNorthRiverRoadPark.Thisparkhasbeendramaticallyimprovedinthelastthreeyearsandisprobablyoneofthemostvibrantneighborhood/cityparksinSalem.Thesanctityofthesurroundingneighborhoodsis criticaltothehealthofthepark.Alternative3wouldadverselyaffectthelivabilityoftheneighborhoodandtheadjoiningpark. TheDraftandEnvironmentalImpactStatementhasestimatedthatAlternative3willcost$501milliondollarswhichisoneofthemoreexpensivealternatives.ThatismorethanOregon'sshareoftheColumbiaRiverCrossingBridgeestimatedto be$450million!Thisisacostlypackageforanycityandprohibitiveatatimewhensomanycutsarebeingmadetocriticalservicessuchasourfiredepartment.ThecostestimatesforAlternative2Aand2Bareconsiderablylessat$148million and$388millionrespectively. ThetremendousamountofdriverscomingfromKeizerwhowishtodrivetoWestSalemwillbefacingmultipleturnstoaccesstheonrampsunderAlternative3.Thiswillcreatemorecongestionthancurrentlyexists! AccordingtotheDEIS,therightofwayrequiredforAlternative3is43acreswhereasitisfarlessforalternative2A(13acres)and2B(32acres).Alternative3alsotakesthemostfarmlandratherthanstayingwithinthecurrentalignmentofthe existingbridge.

70 34 A Alternative Preference

71 35 A Socioeconomics

72 35 73 35 74 35 75 35 76 E LandUse D Traffic Alt3noteffectiveat Courtney,Peter addressingneeds Alt3takestoomuch Courtney,Peter farmland C Cost/Funding B Parks/Recreation RiverRoadPark impacts Alt3notfinancially feasible Courtney,Peter Courtney,Peter

SALEMRIVERCROSSINGDEISCOMMENTS

A 1 ID# 35 77 36

B SubID# F A

C Category Alternative Preference Socioeconomics

D Subcategory Alt2AorAlt2B

E Name Courtney,Peter

F Comment Alternative2Aand2Bwouldcostmuchless,takefewerhomesandcausefarlessdisruptionanddislocationthanAlternative3. MynameisPeterCourtney.IliveinoneoftheaffectedneighborhoodshereinregardingAlternativeNo.3,theRiverre,DreamiereIslandViewDrivearea.Wehavelivedinthehometherefor35years.Weraisedourchildrenthere.Wehavepaid forthehouse.Ifyoulookatthemaprightnexttousisalotthathasbeenvacantformany,manyyears.TheCityinthelastfourorfiveyearsinfilledit.Theyhavemajorinfillingpolicy,andallofthosehomes,fiveormore,areallnew.In addition,ifyoulookatRiverRoadNorthRiverRoadPark,it'sbeendramaticallyimproved.Theyhaveweddingsoutthere,it'sjustunbelievablewhattheyhavedone.Theydiditinpartbecausetheyhadtobuildamajorpumpsystemoutthere tomovethehighwaterthroughregardingthesewertreatmentfacility.Comingoutofourneighborhoodisdifficultnow.ItismyhumbleopinionthatAlternative3andIamjoinedbymywifeherewilldramaticallyincreasethetraffic.Butyou alsoneedtoknowthatandIwastalkingtomyneighborswehavebroughtbackallthewoodducksandallthebeavers,aswellasthereareevendeeracrossthewaywithhowwehavetreatedtheriverfront.AndwhatIamaskingis,the proximityofthatbridgetothatneighborhoodandIknowyouareinterestedinresidencesisvery,verycritical.Now,I'mnotintonecessarilyanobuildsituation,andIknowit'sverydifficulttobeinyourposition,becauseit'ssortoflikewe trytobuildprisonsorgarbagefacilities.Everyonewantsone,theythinkweshouldhavethem,buttheydon'twantthemnearthem. SoIamnotgoingtoredesignyourdesigns,butthisthingalsoandthisistheotherhatI'mgoingtowearcosts$400to$500millionbytheestimates.Now,thatis$50millionmorethantheStateofOregon'stotalshareintheCRC,the ColumbiaRiverCrossing.Now,IcantellyouthenightmarethatI'mhavingwithacertainotherroleinmylifedealingwiththeColumbiaRiverCrossing,andcostisoneofthem. SowhatIamaskingyouistoseriouslyconsidertheproximityofthattoveryfragileneighborhoods,recentlydeveloped,tothatpartandtruly,sincewehelpedmountthoseparticularbirdhousesandstuffandIamspeakingveryfast.Idon't liketotalkthisfast.Idon'tliketocommunicatethisway.Idon'tliketodoitthisway,soIamrushing.ButIdofeelstronglythatandIcongratulateyouinallyourhardwork.Youhaveaterriblydifficultdecision.Butyouyourselvesarepaying attentiontoanumberofresidences.Therearenewresidences.Weknowthatneighborhood.Iknowthatriver.Ilovethatpark.It'samajorpartofSalemIhadtoprotectallthetime,asacitycouncilpersonfromoutthere,andthat'sallIam goingtosay.That'sbeeninmylegislativedistrict.That'snotanyreasonnottobuildclosetoPeterandMargie.Andclearly,Itoldyouwhereourhomeis,andIfeelstrongly.Iamnotopposedtonecessarilyabridge,butIamaskingyouto seriouslyconsidertheotheralternative,particularlywherethefootprintalreadyexists,totheextentyoucanminimizeit.Again,Imoveveryquickly.Iamtryingtostaywithinthetimelimits.IamhardtofollowbecauseIhaveanaccent,Ispeak fast,andwewillfilealetter.Andwiththat,Iwillclose.AndIhopeIamwithinthetimelimits,Ihaven'tviolatedyourpolicy,norhaveIinsultedyouwithhowquicklyItalk,ortotheextentthatIdotalkfast.Iwilltakeanycomments,questions,or criticisms,andIknowyouaren'tgoingtoaskmeany,butIdothatbecauseinallofmyotherroles,that'swhatIalwayssay. IliveintheDreamierreIslandButteDrive,Riviereneighborhood.WhichisveryclosetoAlternative3,knownastheTrionalternative.It'salsoverycloseandnextdoortotheNorthRiverRoadPark.MywifeandI,MargieAnneBrendaCourtney, hadlivedtheresince1977,November'77.Ourthreesonswereallbornandraisedthere.They'regrown.Sowe'vebeeninthathouseforsome35years.Andthehouseispaidfor.Weknowthatneighborhoodverywell.Ifyoulookatthatgroup ofhomesyou'llseesomethingveryinteresting.Therewasavacantlotnexttousyearsforyearsandyearsandyearsago.Theyrecentlydevelopeditinthelastfivetosixyears.TheCityhasaveryintensiveinfillpolicy,andtheyputfivehomes inthelot.Allthosearenewhomes.Inaddition,theyputmillionsofdollars,IbelieveIcansaythat,Ican'tcategoricallysayhowmuch,intoNorthRiverRoadPark.Dramaticallyimprovedit.ItisoneofthemarquisparksnowinthecityofSalem. Basketball,soccer,picnics.It'sgotafountaininthesummerthat'sjustunbelievable.Weddingshavebeenheldthere,manysoccergamesareheldthere.It'saverypopularpark.Theproximityofthisbridge,becauseofnoise,debris,and congestion,couldseriouslyharmthosethatneighborhoodandthatpark.I'mnotsayingdon't,youknow,buildabridgeinOregonSalem,excuseme,butIamsayingthatyouhavetolookatthatneighborhoodandtheproximityofthatbridge whenyouhaveotheralternativesthatareclosertodowntownwheretheyalreadyhaveanestablishedfootprintandyouwillnotaffectbusinessesorresidencesthewayyouwillwiththisAlternative3.There'sonelastthing,it'ssortof sentimental.Wecreatedsomewherearoundsixtotenredwoodwoodduckbirdnestsupinourtreesfacingthemightyriver. BecauseIliveontheriver.Wehavebroughtupawoodduckpopulation,therearehugebeaversdownthere,geesedownthere.Actually,there'sdeerdownthere.AllofthathabitatexiststhatwillbethreatenedbythatBridgethatclose.SoI'm askingyoutoconsidertheseconsiderationsintermsoftheenvironment,intermsofhomes,residency,andaparkinthedesignofTrion.Itsimplydoesn'tneedtobethatclosetothoseveryfragile,preciousneighborhoods.Now,youknow,I understandthatinyourlandusewhenyou'regrowingyouhavetoexpandandyou'vegottoworryabouttransportation.SoIdon'twanttobeinsensitivetothatortothetremendouslydifficultdecisionthathastobemade.ButIamaskingyou intermsofdesign,seemstomeyouprobablyyoucancomeupwithawaytorestructure,redesignthisbridgesoit'sclosertowhereitisnow,awayfromhomes,notasimpactfulonhomesandtheenvironmentinawaythatbasicallygetsthe peopleacrosstheriverbothwaysandalsodoestheleastharmtosurroundingneighborhoods.

Residentialimpactin Courtney,Peter NorthSalem

78 36 79 36 C Socioeconomics Residentialimpactin Courtney,Peter NorthSalem B Cost/Funding Courtney,Peter

80 37 A Socioeconomics Residentialand businessimpactin NorthSalem Courtney,Peter

81

82 38 A Alternative Preference NewbridgewithOR 22SalemPkwy connection Cox IreallylikeFigure12.2.ItlookslikeOR22wouldgiveyoutheoptiontocontinuealongtheWestSalemsideoftheWillametteuntilyoureachabridgethatwillcrossovertheWillametteanddumpyoudirectlyontotheSalemParkway.Ifyou couldbuzzalongatHighwayspeedsuntilyoureachtheParkwaytoheadNorthonI5,itbypassesallthecongestionoftheCenterSt.BridgeandtheveinsoftrafficdowntownSalem.Plus,ifyouwereheadingSouthfromPortlandonI5you'dbe gainingthesamebenefits.YouwouldthinkthatwouldtakesomeofthestrainoffthemainarteriesofSalemthatconvergeonandoffoftheMarion/CenterSt.Bridges.IknowfromexperienceiftheMarionStreetBridgeisblockedforany reasonitbacksupthoughtdowntownandeffectsalltheprimarystreetsandsubsidiarystreetsfeedingintotheprimarystreetsandcreatescongestionthatamplifiesthroughoutSalemprobablycreatingarippleeffectallthewayouttoI5off rampsintoSalem.IfyouareheadingeastonOR22intoSalemandtheirisanykindofblockageonOR22ortheCenterSt.Bridge,ifabypasswascreatedinWestSalempastWallaceMarineParkthatmighthelpthingsoutalittle.Youwould havetowanderintotheresidentialhillsofWestSalemaboveOR22towindyourwaybackdowntotheHopeAvecrossing,butitleastit'sabetteralternativethenreturningtoIndependenceBridgeorheadingNorthtoMcMinnvilletocrossover toI5. IbelievealotoftheotheroptionsofaddingextralanestothecurrentbridgesorabridgebetweentheUnionandcurrentbridgeswouldnoteasetrafficcrossingtheriver.Becauseallofthattrafficwillstillhavetofunnelintothesamemain arterialstreetsofSalemdowntownanditwillonlycontinuetooverwhelmandcongestthosemainstreetsevenmoreinthefutureandcreatemorecongestiononthesmallerresidentialstreetsoffthemainarterialstreetsandsoonandsoforth. BypassingdowntownSaleminsomeform,thatallowsthetraffictojustcontinueuninterruptedonaHighwaylikesettingwouldbeatruebenefitintermsoftrafficcongestion.TheonlyconIseebesidesenvironmentalalongtheriverorWallace MarineParkwouldbeapossibilityofbusinessesbeingeffectedfinanciallyfromsomeofthetrafficbypassingtheirshopsthatmighthavestoppedonawhimbecausetheywerejustdrivingby.

83 39 A Alternative Preference NoBuild Craven MywifeandIliveonGlenCreekRoadNWinWestSalem,betweenAlpineandBelaireStreets. WefavortheNOBUILDalternative. Wehavelivedherefor31years.Ourhomewouldbedirectlyimpactedbyseveralofthedesignalternatives(thoughitisdifficulttodetermineexactlyhowgiventhesmalldotsontheprojectmaps).Ouroppositioncouldbeviewedsimplyasa "notinmybackyard"position,andcertainlythereissometruthtothat.ButgiventhatweliveonthebusyGlenCreekRoad,itmightbeassumedthatwewouldfavoraprojectdesignedtoreducecongestioninWestSalem.Thelocalcongestion issueswillbepartlyaddressedbyroadprojectsalreadyinthepipelineforGlenCreekandWallaceRoad.Thetrafficinfrontofourhouseisnotallthatworsethanitwas30yearsago,giventheimprovementstotheWillamettebridgessome yearsback. 84

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A 1 ID#

B SubID#

C Category

D Subcategory

E Name

F Comment Ourmajorconcernisthecostsforthismassiveproject,andtheunlikelihoodofsuchdollarsbeingavailableinanyforeseeabletimeframe.ToquotefromODOT'sSalemRiverCrossingFAQ:"Willthestateandfederalgovernmentpayforthis project? No.Thefederalgovernmentwilllikelypayforonlyaportionoftheprojectandthestategovernmentmaynotpayforanyofit.Asignificantamountoflocalfundswillbeneededtomakeupthedifference. Why?Governmentfundsfortransportationprojectstodayareverylimited.Historically,thesefundshavecomefromthecollectionofgastaxes.However,thefederalandstategastaxeshavenotbeenincreasedsince1993whileatthesametime transportationneedsandcostshavegoneupdramatically.Asaresult,moststatesandthefederalgovernmentarestrugglingjusttomaintainexistingroadsandbridges.Payingfornewfacilitiesisanevengreaterchallenge. Allmajortransportationprojectsinthiscountryarefacingsimilarfundingchallenges.Inshort,itisaneweraintransportationfunding. Willthecommunityhaveenoughmoneytopayforotherneedstoo? TheSalemRiverCrossingprojectisalargeandexpensiveproject.WhiletheprojectwilladdresskeytransportationneedsintheSalemKeizerarea,therewillbemanycompetingdemandsforthesamelocalfundsfortransportation,schools, parks,etc.Partofthedecisiontomoveaheadwiththeprojectwillbeforlocalcitizensandelectedofficialstoagreethattheprojectandthecostthatwillbebornebylocalcitizensandroadusersisacceptableandworththetradeoffsagainst otherneeds." HavinglivedinWestSalemfor31years,wefindnosupportforthisprojectamongourlongtimefriendsandneighbors.Ibelieveoppositionwillonlyincreaseaslocalresidentslearnoftheincredibledisruptionthatwilloccur,alongwiththe enormouscostsandhighertaxes,fees,tolls,etc.AstheODOTFAQnotes,fundingthisprojectwilllikelyresultincutstoothercommunityprioritiesintransportation,transit,schools,parks,etc. Therefore,werespectfullysubmitthatofficialsadoptaNOBUILDalternativeandfocusontheincrementalimprovementsnecessarytoreducecongestionthatcanbepaidforwithcurrentresources.

85 40 A Alternative Preference Alt4C,4D,or4E Dalton,Brian MynameisBrianDalton.MyaddressisPostOfficeBox190,Dallas,97338.IhappentobetheMayorofDallas,butIamnotspeakingastheMayorhere,becausetheCouncilhasnotsentmeonamission.ButIcangiveyoumaybeasenseofour communityandthesenseoftheCouncil.IntermsofDallas,infact,inmyStateoftheCityaddressthislastJanuary,Ididpointoutthatthethirdbridgewasprobablyoneofourimportantlongrangeoptionsthatweneededtoconsideralongwith thewatersystem.Ithinkit'squiteimportantforindustryandcustomersofourcommunitytobeabletoaccessInterstate5.AlotofthebusinessesthesedayspredicatetheirlocationbasedonaccesstoInterstate5.Andhowandtimelines,and thatsortofthing.Forus,ofcourse,cominginonHighway22,wegetdumpedrightintoDowntownSalem,andmuchtothechagrinoftruckdrivers,andIassume,Nordstrom'sandwhatnotthathastolistentotrucktraffic,andwhatever.SoI thinkitwouldbeverybeneficialinsellingourindustryareatoprospectiveclients,wehavearailshipyardrightintoDallas,sothat'shelpful,butthetrucktraffichastogothroughSalem.80percentroughly80percentofthetrucksturnnorth,is myunderstanding,whentheyreachtheInterstate.Sothenortherlyrouteforthebridgewouldbeimportantforus.Instudyingthevariousoptions,some theonesthatseemtoanswerthemailareinthe4series,4C,D,orE.Andtheygiveus astraightroutehooking22intotheParkway.Theothersdumpusinatvariousneighborhoodsandsoforth.Ifyouweretonotbeabletoafford4C,D,orE,itwouldprobablybebeneficialtousifyouweretophasethose.Inotherwords,build thebridgefirstasPhase1,andthensecondly,atsomelaterdateortime,hookHighway22intothebridge.Itappearsthatthatfrommydiscussionswithfolksoutthere,ODOTandwhatnotthatappearsdoableaskindofaphasedoption.

86 41 A Alternative Preference Alt4C,4D,or4E Dalton,Brian AnybridgethatyoubuildhassomebenefittoDallas,becausewehavelotsofcommuters.ManyofourfolkscommutetoDowntownSalem,theCapitol,andthehospital.Andsothatwouldfacilitatetheirtraffic.Butatthesametime,Idon'tthink itreallysolvesyourproblem.Ithinkitmayinfact,exacerbateyourproblem,becausemorepeoplewholiveinDallas,andmorepeoplewillbedumpedintoDowntownSalem.Andwe'regrowing.Dallashasgrowninthelast10years,20percentin itspopulation.Weareupto15,000peoplenow.We'reup20percentinthelast10years,andwehave24homesunderconstructioninDallasrightnow.Sowe'redoingallright.Andoncetherecessionabates,eventually,Idobelievewewillcatch fireagain.Sothatwilldumpmoretrafficintothesituationhere.Isthathelpful?Isthatinformationhelpfultoyou?OfthethreeImentioned,4C,D,andE,apparentlyfrommydiscussionwiththeSalempeople,4Dhasthelessmaybethebest intermsoftheleastimpactonneighborhoodsandthatsortofthingofthosekindsofthings.

87 42 88 43 A A Alternative Preference WaterResources Alt2B Day,John DepartmentofState Lands Other:Iprefer2BbecauseitrelivestrafficonWallaceRdandprovidesanotherbridgeneartheexistingone. Asplansevolveandtheamountanddegreeofimpactsbecomemorerened,theDepartmentmayhaveaddi onalcommentsandrequirements.Someofthealterna vesmaycurrentlyappeartohavesignicantlymoreormoreserious, impactthantheactualstructurewouldcause.Forexample,ifthebridgepiersweretolandonMcLaneIslandandweresignificantlyelevatedabovetheisland,theonlyimpactofsignificancemaybewherethepierislocated. Onpage3363,2.9.4.3,rstparagraphsays,Mi ga oninvolvinggradingandchangestogroundcovercharacteris cswouldbedevelopedtodemonstratenorise'inoodwayeleva ons.DSLdoesnotsupporthardeningandsimplifyingofthe streambanksorremovingvegetationtospeedvelocitiesorconstrictflows. Theworkbridgeswillneedtobeevaluatedfortheeectonoodingpoten al. Bentsandpiersshouldbeengineeredtowithstandsignicantscourwithouttheneedforrepairtoallowasmuchrivermigra onaspossibleandcauseasli lefuturehumandisturbanceaspossible. Thenalselectedalterna vewillneedtoshowavoidanceandminimiza onofimpactstowatersofthestatetothegreatestextentprac cable. Mi ga onwillneedtomeettherequirementsofOAR141085,par cularlytheprincipalobjec vesat1410850680. Unavoidableimpactstoexis ngmi ga onsiteswillrequiremi ga onra ostobedoubled. Thereappearstoberoadstubstonowhere(e.g.247,gure2.314).Thesewouldneedtobeevaluatedundertheavoidandminimizecriteria. Thankyoufortheopportunitytocomment, RussKlassen DepartmentofStateLands 89 44 A Socioeconomics Residentialand businessimpacts DeRochier Ourorganizationcurrentlyowns&occupiesacommercialofficebuildinglocatedattheabovelistedaddress.WewishtoenterthefollowingintotheofficialpublicrecordaspartoftheFinalEnvironmentalImpactStatementfortheSalemRiver Crossingproject: UnderAlternative3,theUnitedWaybuildingat455BlilerAvenuewouldbedisplacedbecauseinstallationoframpsfromSalemParkwaytothenewbridgewouldleaveeliminatethestreetaccesstopropertiesontheeasternendofBliler Avenue(thatis,theUnitedWaybuildingwouldbelandlockedwithnoaccesstothestreetsystem). UnderAlterna ves4C,4Dand4E,theUnitedWaybuildingat455BlilerAvenuewouldbedisplacedduetothewideningofSalemParkway. 90

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A 1 ID# 45

B SubID# A

C Category Traffic

D Subcategory Name Buildalternativesnot Dewoina consistentwithCity plans/policies

F Comment WiththeexceptionofAlternative1,theeightoptionalplanscontemplateincreasingcapacitytomovetrafficthroughSalembylinkingHighway22inWestSalemtotheSalemParkwayinNortheastSalem. TheOregonStateHighwaySystemTrafficFlowMap2010illustrationsthatasignificantportionofthetrafficmovingacrossthebridgesseekdestinationsbeyondSalem. IncreasingcapacityoftheexistingthoroughfarescannotimprovemobilityandsafetynoralleviatecongestionattheCenterandMarionBridges.Thesegoalscanbeattainedbyreducingtrafficvolumeatthesecrossings,byallowingtrafficnot destinedforSalemtobypassSalem.Inanutshell,beltwaysattheedgeofSalem'surbangrowthboundaryaretheonlyviablemeanstoaccomplishthedesiredresults. NoneoftheproposalsdemonstrateanycontemplationofthetransportationsystemplanninggoalsintheCityofSalemComprehensivePlan,ChapterJ.Thepointsthathavebeenmissedare: 1Providingabalanced,multimodaltransportationsystem;Nothingintheplansmovethebalanceofthetransportationsystemtowardnonmotorizedmodesawayfrommotorizedmodes. 2ServingRegionalMobility;RatherthanconcentratingregionaltransitthroughdowntownSalem,considerallowingittobypassSalem. 3Enhancingnonmotorizedtravelmodes;Multilanefreewaysbisettingcommunitiesobstructratherthanenhancenonmotorizedtravelmodes. 4ConnectivityandCirculation(Tothispoint,theadditionalfreewaystructuresandroadsseverWestSalemandCentralSalemfromitsoneofWestSalem'smostvaluableassets,WallaceMarinePark,tothedetrimentofnonmotorizedmodesof travelacrosstheriver.) 5LandUseandDevelopmentPatterns.EnvironmentalimpactofahightrafficfreewayattheheartoftowncanonlyhamperanddiscouragehigherdensityresidentialactivityattheheartofSalem...whichisthebasisformovingtowardnon motorizedtravelmodes. 6SystemEfficiency;Demandmanagementefforts(projectsincreasingcapacity)aresupposedtofollowenhancementoftransitandnonmotorizedvehicleoptions.Thestatedprojectsmissthispointentirely. 7TransportationSafety; 8PublicSafety;Rapidandsafemovementoffire,medicalandpolicevehicleswillnotbeachievedbyconcentratingmoretrafficinlimitedcorridors,butbydivertingandfacilitatingflowoftrafficaroundthoselimitedcorridors.Noneoftheplans servethisgoal. 9EconomicDevelopment;NoneoftheplansidentifymethodsemployerscanusetobetterfacilitateemployeecommutesorencourageuseofnonmotorizedmodesanddiscourageuseofSingleOccupancyVehicles. 10NeighborhoodLivability;MarineDriveandthebridgeapproachesbringahugeburdenofnoisepollutiontoWestSalemandCentralSalem,exacerbateenergywasteintrafficcongestion,disruptthegrowthandredevelopmentforhigher densityofcloseinneighborhoodsanddiscouragetheuseofpublictransit,bikeways,andwalkways.

91

92 TheproposedtransportationprojectsrepresentagiantstepbackwardstowardfulfillingtheCity'sOpenSpace,ParksandRecreationGoalsinsectionKoftheCityofSalemComprehensivePlan.Thepriorityofacquiringanddevelopinglarge urbanparksisstuntedbycreatingafreewaybarrierattheedgeofWallaceMarinePark.ThebridgerelatedfreewaysandMarineDriveconceptdefyOpenSpaceandRiparianRelatedgoalsbylimitingaccessandusesrelatingtotheWillamette Riverandareastreamsforrecreationalandscenicenjoyment. 93 45 94 46 A LandUse B Alternative Preference Nonewbridge; encouragealternate modes Needmoreinfo regardingmeeting goalexception requirements Dewoina ThefocusforresolvingthetransportationsystemcongestionissuesneedstobeonreducingflowthroughdowntownSalemandenhancingurbancharacteristicsandrelatedtransportationsystemselementsthatfacilitatenonmotorizedtravel andnonsingleoccupancyvehicletravel. Includesufficientinformationtosupportlanduseapprovals.TheStateAgencyCoordination(SAC)rulesinOregonAdministrativeRules(OAR)chapter731,division15describehowlanduserequirementsareaddressedintheplanningprocess requiredbytheNationalEnvironmentalProtectionAct(NEPA).OAR7310150075(2)provides:GoalcomplianceandplancompatibilityshallbeanalyzedinconjunctionwiththedevelopmentoftheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementor EnvironmentalAssessment.Theenvironmentalanalysisshallidentifyandaddressrelevantlanduserequirementsinsufficientdetailtosupportsubsequentlandusedecisionsnecessarytoauthorizetheproject.(Emphasisadded)Anyalternatives thatproposetransportationimprovementsonrurallandsoutsidetheurbangrowthboundary(UGB)wouldrequireexceptionstoStatewidePlanningGoals3,11,and14.Specifically,theDEISandLandUseTechnicalReportindicatethatallofthe proposedbuildalternatives,exceptforAlternative2A,wouldrequiregoalexceptionstoGoal3(Agriculture),Goal11(PublicFacilities),andGoal14(Urbanization).AnexceptiontoGoal15(WillametteGreenway)wouldalsoberequiredforthe buildalternatives(seesection6below).Theinformation,analysis,andfindingsprovidedintheLandUseTechnicalReportandtheDEISarenotsufficientlydetailedtosupportapprovalofthegoalexceptionsandothernecessarylanduse approvalsbylocalgovernments,whichmayincludetheCityofSalem,theCityofKeizerandPolkCounty.

DepartmentofLand Conservation& Development(DLCD)

95 47 A LandUse Thresholdsforgoal exceptions DLCD Setthresholdsforconsideringalternativesthatrequireexceptions Theexceptionsprocessrequiresidentifyingcriteriaandsettingthresholdsforevaluatingwhethernonexceptionalternativesareunreasonableintermsofcost,otherimpactsoreffectiveness.Thefindingsneedtojustifyathresholdfor reasonableforeachstandard,withtheunderstandingthatnonexceptionalternativesmaynotperformaswellasalternativesrequiringexceptions,butmaynonethelessbereasonable.TherequirementisinOAR6600120070(6): Todeterminethereasonablenessofalternativestoanexceptionundersections(4)and(5)ofthisrule,cost,operationalfeasibility,economicdislocationandotherrelevantfactorsshallbeaddressed.Thethresholdschosentojudgewhetheran alternativemethodorlocationcannotreasonablyaccommodatetheproposedtransportationneedorfacilitymustbejustifiedintheexception. TheDEISandLandUseReportdonotincludethistypeofanalysis,yetseemtobedrivingtowardaconclusionthatBuildAlternative2Ashouldbedroppedasunreasonable. Theanalysiswouldalsoneedtoevaluateminorrevisionstothealternativethatdoesnotrequireexceptionstogoals3,11,and14(BuildAlternative2A)thatwouldavoidotherundesirableimpactsorimproveperformance.Forexample,there mayberefinementsthatwouldreducecongestiontoareasonablelevel.TheremayberefinementsthatwouldreduceimpactstoMarionSquarePark(seesection4regarding4(f)resourcesbelow).

96 48 97 A Traffic Reviseanalysis DLCD Revisetrafficestimates.TheextenttowhichAlternative2Afailstomeetperformancestandardsisoverestimatedbecausetheanalysisisbasedonanassumptionthattrafficlevelswillcontinuetogrowsteadily.Actualvolumeshavebeen essentiallyflatoverthelasttenyears,reflectingtheincreasedpriceofgasandotherlongtermchangesintravelbehavior,andtrafficlevelsarealreadywellbelowtheestimateintheDEIS.ThetrafficanalysisfortheDEISshouldberevisedto reflectthesechangesintraveltrendsandlowertrafficlevels.

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A 1 ID# 49

B SubID# A

C Category Section4(f)

D Subcategory

E Name DLCD

F Comment Considerimpactsto4(f)resourcesTheDEISseemstosuggestthatAlternative2AshouldbedroppedbecauseofitsimpacttoMarionSquarePark,aresourcecoveredbysection4(f)oftheDepartmentofTransportationActof1966.This conclusionisnotsupportedbyanappropriatebalancingtest,anddoesnotconsiderthepotentialtoreducetheimpactthroughminorrevisionstoAlternative2A.TheDEISdoesnotprovideinformationoranalysistosupportconclusionsabout whether4(f)impactswouldbesignificantornot.AnappendixtotheDraft4(f)EvaluationincludesashortletterfromCityofSalemstaffwhichstatestheCitysconclusionsregardingsignificant4(f)impactsfortheBuildAlternatives,butdoesnot explainhowtheimpactswereevaluatedorwhatthresholdwasusedforconcludingthatsomeimpactsaredeminimisandthusacceptable,whileothersaresignificant.Tojustifyagoalexception,thefindingswouldneedtosetspecificthresholds fordeterminingwhether4(f)impactsareacceptableornot.FHWAhasprovideddetailedguidanceforapplyingsection4(f)todeterminewhetherimpactsareacceptable.1TheFHWAguidancestatesthat4(f)isnotanautomaticfatalflawto eliminateabuildalternativefromconsideration.Analternativecannotbeeliminatedfromfurtherconsiderationwithoutapplyingabalancingtesttothe4(f)impact.1FHWASection4(f)PolicyPaper,March1,2005,OfficeofPlanning, EnvironmentandRealty, ProjectDevelopmentandEnvironmentalReviewFederalHighwayAdministration The4(f)processalsoallows,evenencourages,consideringrefinementsthatcouldreduce4(f)impactstoanacceptablelevel(deminimis).Forexample,considerationshouldbegiventorevisionstoBuildAlternative2Athatwouldreduce4(f)park impactstoacceptablelevels.TheimpacttoMarionSquareParkisaproposedrampfromCommercialStreettoawidenedMarionStreetBridge.Theproposedrampwoulddiagonallycrossacorneroftheparkpropertyandnecessitateremovalof severaltreesinthepark.Itmaybepossibletomakeminorrevisionstothisdesigntotightenthecurvethatwouldgreatlyreducethe4(f)impactwithminimallossoffunctionality.Amoresignificantrevisionmightbetoprovidearampfrom CommercialandFrontStreetsratherthantheproposedramplocationthatimpactsMarionSquarePark.

98 50 A LandUse Alt2Aisareasonable DLCD nongoalexception alternative NonExceptionAlternativeBasedontheinformationintheDEISandtheconsiderationdescribedabove,itappearsthatthereisareasonablealternativethatdoesnotrequireanexceptiontoGoals3,11and14.ThatalternativeisBuild Alternative2A.Thisconclusionisbasedonthefollowing: 1)BuildAlternative2Aismorecosteffectiveandprovidesasubstantialimprovementinperformanceatmuchlowercost.Thelargecostsofotherbuildalternativeslikelyexceedthethresholdforareasonablecost. 2)CompletelymeetingallperformancestandardsisnotanappropriatethresholdbecausethecostsuchanalternativewouldgreatlyexceedfundingthatislikelytobeavailablefortheSalemRiverCrossingproject.Analternativethatsignificantly improvesperformancewouldbereasonable. 3)Itisnotreasonabletousepeakhourcongestionasthesoleperformancemeasurebecausemanyoftheprojectgoalsarealldayornonpeakfactors(freightmobility)oremergencyaccess. 4)Peakhourperformancecanbeeffectivelyaddressedbynonstructuralactions,suchasTransportationDemandManagement(TDM)measuresandtolling. 5)PoliciesintheOregonHighwayPlanallowforalternativemobilitystandards.Theyshouldbeconsideredhere. 6)Negativesimpacts(e.g.,4(f)resource)couldbemitigatedbyminorrevisionsandshouldbebalancedagainstothernegativeimpacts(e.g.,ruralland).

99 51 A LandUse Greenwaygoal exception DLCD ExceptiontoGoal15TheLandUseTechnicalReportnotesthatthebuildalternativesmayrequireanexceptiontoGoal15(WillametteGreenway),andthatmorestudyandanalysisisneededtodeterminewhetheranexceptionisactually needed.AftercarefulstudyofGoal15andtheWillametteGreenwayrequirements,weconcludethatanexceptiontoGoal15isneededforallofthebuildalternativespresentedintheDEIS.ThisincludesBuildAlternative2Atowidentheexisting bridgebecausethatwouldqualifyasanintensificationofuse. TherequirementsrelatedtoanexceptiontoGoal15aregenerallysimilarto,butwithonekeydifferencefrom,therequirementsforthepotentialexceptionstoGoals3,11and14describedabove.ThesimilarityisthattheDEISmustcontain sufficientdetailtosupportsubsequentlandusedecisionsnecessarytoauthorizetheprojectasdescribedinsection1above. ThedifferenceisthatallofthebuildalternativeswouldrequireanexceptiontoGoal15,thustheanalysiswillnotinvolvethereasonablenessthresholdsdescribedinsection2above.InsteadthecriteriaarefoundinOAR6600120070(7)(b): Determinewhetherthenetadverseimpactsassociatedwiththeproposedexceptionsite,withmitigationmeasuresdesignedtoreduceadverseimpacts,aresignificantlymoreadversethanthenetimpactsfromotherlocationswhichwouldalso requireanexception.Aproposedexceptionlocationwouldfailtomeetthisrequirementonlyiftheaffectedlocalgovernmentconcludesthattheimpactsassociatedwithitaresignificantlymoreadversethantheotheridentifiedexceptionsites. (Emphasisadded)

100 52 A LandUse Moreinfoneeded DLCD ConclusionAsupplementisneededtoboththeDEISandLandUseTechnicalReporttomorefullyanalyzethecriteriaforgoalexceptionsandlandusedecisions,withsufficientdetailtosupportlocaldecisions.ThepurposeoftheSACprogramis toensurethatlanduserequirementsareaddressedinatimelywayintheplanningprocesssothatprojectscanmovesmoothlythroughbothNEPAandlanduseapprovals.IssuingasupplementtotheDEISandLandUseTechnicalReportin sufficientdetailpriortotheapprovaloftheFEISwillensurethatlanduseapprovalsdonotdelayorderailtheprojectaftertheNEPAprocessiscomplete. TheDepartmentoftheInteriorhasreviewedtheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementandDraftSection4(f)EvaluationfortheSalemRiverCrossing,MarionandPolkCounties,Oregon.TheDepartmentdoesnothaveanycommentstooffer.

101 53 102 54 103 55 104 56 105 56 106 56 C Alternative Preference IfAlt2AorAlt2Bnot Eisenbeis selected,nextchoice is4Aor4D However,knowingthatweprobablywillbeunabletostopprogressonanadditionalbridge,mynextpreferencewouldbetosupportAlternative4A/4D(HopetoLibertyviaPine/Hickory).Itwouldappeartohavetheleastimpactonresidentson theeastsideoftheriver(includingours),andalsoappearstobethecheapestalternative.Inaddition,therestaurant/clubattheendofPinerecentlyburneddown,providinganopportunitytoacquirethislandforabridgeatthislocation.I don'tseebenefitstohavingthebridgetouchingdownatBroadway,andwouldbeconcernedaboutadditionaltrafficandcongestioninthatareaandthedisruptiontotheneighborhoodsandbusinessesinthatareaifthebridgedidtouchdown onBroadway.ItmakesmoresensetometohaveadirecttouchdownonLiberty. B Alternative Preference Alt2AorAlt2B Eisenbeis Today's(6/15/12)editorialprintedintheStatesmanJournalalsobringsupinterestingpointsrelatedtonotaddingabridgeandtheimpactonbusinessandresidencesifwedoaddabridge.Whatistheultimatecosttobusiness,jobs,residents ontheEastsidetoprovidebetteraccess?Iagreewithmanyofthepointsraised.MyfirstchoicewouldbeAlternative2A&2B. A Socioeconomics Residentialimpacts Eisenbeis Livingrightintheareaoftwooftheproposedbridgeoptions,thisisanenormousdecision,havingapotentiallydevastatingimpactonourneighborhoodanpotentiallypropertyvalues. A A Alternative Preference Alternative Preference Alts4Athrough4E Alts4Athrough4E Doughton Doughton,Ken WeliketheproposalofAlternative4Borother4'sastheyalltheavoidthecongestionofthecenteroftownandWallaceRd.The4'sallhavethebesttrafficflow,avoidingthehightrafficareas.Itwouldalsobegoodtoconsiderthewideningof theexistingbridgestoallowforbetterresponseofemergencyvehicles. Heresourcomments:Weliketheproposalofalternative4borother4'sastheyallavoidthecongestionofthecenteroftownandWallace.The4'sallhavethebesttrafficflow,avoidingtheheavytrafficareas.43alsoallowsforwideningthe existingbridgeswillprovideformoreaccessbyemergencyvehicles. A NocommentonDEIS n/a DOI

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A 1 ID# 57

B SubID# A

C Category Moreinfoneeded

D Subcategory

E Name EPA

F Comment TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyhasreviewedtheSalemRiverCrossingProjectDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement.WearesubmittingcommentsinaccordancewithourresponsibilitiesundertheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct andSection309oftheCleanAirAct.Toaccommodateforecastedtrafficcongestionintheprojectarea,FHWA,ODOTandCityofSalemproposetobuildawidenedorneweastwestcrossingoftheWillametteRiverinSalem.EightBuild alternativesareanalyzed,whicharelocatedatoneofthreebridgecrossinglocations:attheexistingbridges(Alternatives2Aand2B);atHopeAvenuetoTryonAvenue(Alternative3);andatHopeAvenuetoPineandHickoryStreets(Alternatives 4A,4B,4C,4D,4E).Nopreferredalternativeisidentified.Theproposedprojectwouldresultinsubstantialresidentialandbusinessdisplacementsandcouldpotentiallyaffectpark/recreationandhistoricproperties.Theprojectproponentshave engagedresourceagenciesthroughtheOregonCollaborativeEnvironmentalandTransportationAgreementonStreamlining(CETAS)processduringprojectdevelopmenttoincorporateenvironmentalinformationandobtainconcurrenceonthe rangeofalternatives.FHWAandODOTstatethattheyhavedesignedtheBuildAlternativestoavoidandminimizeimpactstohabitat,floodplains,andwetlandstotheextentpossible.Overall,theDraftEISdoesagoodjobofpresentingarangeof alternativesandanalyzingtheiradvantages,disadvantages,andimpacts.Weappreciatethecomparisontables,suchas,Tables3.135and3.211,whichhelptoillustratethesimilaritiesanddifferencesamongalternatives.Weareassigningthe DraftEISaratingofEC2,EnvironmentalConcernsInsufficientInformation.Anexplanationofthisratingisenclosed.Ourspecificconcerns,informationneeds,andrecommendationsareprovidedbelow:

108 58 A NaturalSystems Moreinfoneeded EPA NaturalSystems,Communities,andWaterResources WeappreciatetheinitiativethatFHWAandODOThaveshowninincorporatingtheOregonConservationStrategytoidentifystrategichabitatareaswithintheprojectarea,andevaluatinghowtheprojectwillaffectsomeofthekeyconservation goalsandissues.Thisapproachseemstoprovideamoreholisticassessmentoflocalandregionallysignificantecosystemsandtheirconservationneeds.Wealsoappreciatetheevaluationsregardinginvasivespecies. However,moreclarificationisneededtosupportthedeterminationthattherewouldbegreaternetbenefitstoseveralresources,suchas,waterquality,wetlandhabitats,andinvasivespecies,withtheBuildAlternativesascomparedtotheNo ActionAlternative.Manyofthepracticesproposed(useofBestManagementPractices,stormwatertreatment,etc.)arehelpfulandlikelytobeeffectiveintheshortterm,butthespecificsofhowthosenetbenefitswouldbeachievedinthelong termarenotprovided.ItisalsounclearwhetherornotanyofthewaterqualityimprovementmeasuresdescribedintheDraftEISwouldbeappliedtotheexistingbridgesandroadwaysifoneofthenewbridgeoptionsischosenasthepreferred alternative. Recommendations:IntheFinalEIS,clarifythetypesandlocationsofstormwatertreatmentthatwouldbeassociatedwiththevariousalternatives.IncludeadditionalinformationregardingODOTsNoxiousWeedControlProgramandhowit wouldachievelongtermmaintenanceandcontrolofinvasivespecies. TheDraftEISacknowledgestherewillbeanincreasedamountofimpervioussurfacesthatwillresultfromtheBuildAlternativesandtherelatedimplicationsforreducedgroundwaterrechargeandlowsummerinstreamflows.However,theDraft EISdoesnotdiscussthepotentialuseofLowImpactDevelopmenttechniqueseitherwithinoroutsidetheprojectfootprinttomitigateoroffsetthenewimpervioussurfaces. Recommendation:VisittheGreenHighwayswebsiteathttp://www.greenhighwayspartnership.org/forwaystopotentiallyincreasepermeabilityintheprojectarea.Considerdepavingareastooffsetnewpavementwithinaffected watersheds.

109 59 A Traffic Moreinfoneeded EPA TransportationDemandManagement.Basedonthetransportationanalysis,noonealternativeappearstoprovidethelongtermcongestionreliefthatonemightexpectfromsuchaninfrastructureinvestment.Whiletherearemorehoursof traveldelayassociatedwiththeNoActionAlternative,itseemstoperformbetterthantheBuildAlternativeswithrespecttocongestionatseveralkeyintersections.Energyuse,criteriapollutants,andgreenhousegasemissionsarealllowerwith Alternative4B,whichwouldbothwidentheexistingbridgesandconstructanewbridge.Thisalternativewouldseemtomaximizetheincentivetodrive,which,alongwithconstructionimpacts,couldincreaseenergyuseandemissions,soitis unclearhowtheconclusionsabouttheseenvironmentalresultswerereached.Weappreciatethatthetrafficanalysis(p.2106)assumesanaggressiveexpansionoftransitandalternativemodes(theanalysisassumesthattherewillbean8% reductioninpeakhourtraffic,representinga3to4foldincreaseintransitandnonmotorizeduse).Thisistoensurethattheneedforhighwaycapacityisnotoverstatedandtoillustratetheabilityofalternativetravelmodestoextendthe capacitybearinglifeoftheproposedfacility.TheSKATSMPORTSPtraveldemandmodelprojectionofonlya1to2%peakhourincreaseinalternativetravelmodesarealsoappliedinthedisciplinereportanalysestorepresentaworstcase scenario.Wenotethattheuseofpricingstrategieshasbeenconsideredasameanstoreducepeakperiodtrafficcongestionontheexistingbridges(p.110)andthatthe2031RegionalTransportationSystemPlanrecommendsconsideringtolls forthenewbridge(p.111,2107).Whetherusedasapricingstrategyorasameanstofinancethenewbridge,tollswouldserveasaneffectivemeanstoextendfacilitycapacityrelatedlifeaswellastoincreaseuseofalternativetravelmodes. Werecommendthatseriousconsiderationbegiventoapplyingthiseffectivetransportationdemandmanagementstrategy.Recommendations: IntheFinalEIS,explainhowthe8%lesspeakhourtrafficwillbeachieved. WorkwiththelocaltransitagencytobetteraligntriptraveltimesfororigindestinationpairsacrosstheRiverwiththetimeittakesforanautomobiletomakethetrip.Forexample,theexisting47minutetripinvolvingabustransferas comparedtoa7minutetripviaautomobilecreatesastrongincentivetodriveinordertosavetime(p.314). ProvidemoreinformationandanalysisintheFinalEISregardingthepotentialbenefits,feasibility,andlikelihoodofapplyingtollsasaneffectivetransportationdemandmanagementand/orprojectfinancingstrategy.Considerconductinga studythatwouldillustratethepotentialforusingtollstoreducetraveldemandandtherebyminimizecapacityexpansionsandlongtermenvironmentalimpacts.

110 60 A AirQuality Moreinfoneeded EPA AirQualityduringConstructionTheDEISstates(p.3450)thatcontractorswillcomplywithODOTstandardspecificationsinSection290.ItwouldbehelpfultodiscloseintheNEPAdocumentwhatairpollutioncontrolmeasuresareincludedin thisSection.Listedexamplesincludevehicleequipmentidlingrestrictions,burnrestrictions,dustcontrolmeasures,andpermitting.WewouldliketoseeanexpansionofSection290toincludeafullsuiteofmeasurestominimizeoverall constructionemissionsandexposurefornearbyresidentsandbusinessesaswellasconstructionworkers. Recommendations: SeetheCleanConstructionUSAwebsiteathttp://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/construction/forexamplesofconstructionmitigationmeasuresthatmaynotbeincludedinSection290. Consideradditionalmitigationmeasures,includingameasuretoaddresspreventativemaintenanceofconstructionequipment,useofnewerconstructionvehiclesandequipment,and/orengineretrofitstofurtherstrengthenthestandard specifications. Fordustcontrol,inordertoavoidintroducingadditionaltoxicpollutantstosoil,groundwater,surfacewater,andair,usewaterratherthanchemicalsoroil(p.3450). IhavetwonotesthatI'dliketomake.Ontheoptionthatputsthenewbridgenexttothepedestrianbridge,Iamontheoptionthatputsthecarbridgenexttothepedestrianbridge,Iamhopingthatthecarbridge,thenewcarbridgewould behighenoughthatthepedestrianbridgecouldlookunderit,andthatthenoisewouldgooverthepedestrianbridge,becausethepedestrianbridgeisverypopular.Lotsofpeoplegothere.Iliketheoptionofthebridgegoinginbetweenthe pedestrianbridgeandtheMarionStreetBridgebecauseit'sveryit'soneoftheleastexpensiveoptions,butIamconcernedaboutthepedestrianbridge. TheothercommentIhaveisIdon'tknowthatIthinkit's4B,C,andD.Andtheyhaveit,thatwholepieceelevatedfromwhereitcrossestheriveruntilwhereitactuallyfliesupontoHighway22.DuringtheEnvironmentalImpactStudy,said theyhadtodothatelevatedthewholewaybecauseofthe500yearfloodplain.WishIwouldhavethoughtofthistwoyearsago,butmythoughtis,whetherit'sthe500year,the100year,oreventhe20yearfloodplain,whydon'ttheycrossthe river,dropthegradedowntothecurrentgrade,andifwegetaflood,allright,youcan'tusethatchunkofroad.Thatmightbeonceayear.Mightbeonceevery10years.Butitalsomightsaveahalfabilliondollars.I'dliketohavethemconsider that.Otherthanthat,greatjob. IamahomeownerandanynewbridgethatconnectstoHopeAvewillwipeoutmyhome.MyfirstconcernisaboutreceivingafaircompensationintheeventthatIstilllivetherewhenthishappens.IdidspeaktoanODOTrepresentativeatthe publichearingwhichwashelpful.Iamalsoconcernedaboutmyneighborswhowon'tbedisplacedbyanewbridge.Oneofthemwastoldthathewon'treceivecompensationfordamages.Thatseemswrong.Theypurchasedabrandnewhome inanicequietneighborhoodandnowit'spossiblethatamainroadwillgointheirfrontyard,they'lllosesomeoftheirpropertyandberightnexttoabridgetoboot.Theirpropertyvaluewilldecreasesignificantly.Nottomentionthatselling rightnowwouldn'tnetaprofitsincethehousingmarketisdown.I'malsoconcernedaboutsellingmyhouseinthefutureifaHopeAvealternativeisselected.Itcouldbeyearsbeforetheprojectevenstarts,butourneighborhoodwouldbe markedunsellabletomostbuyers.Iwouldliketoseemorealternativesonthewestside.Itseemsthattheeastsidehasseveraldifferentlocationstoconnectto,butnomatterwhat,thebridgeconnectstoHopeAveonthewestside.

111 61 A Parks/Recreation ImpactstoUnion StreetPedBrunder Alt2B Designofstructures infloodplain Erickson,Scott

112 61 B WaterResources Erickson,Scott

113 62 A Socioeconomics Residentialimpacts Farnsworth

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A 1 ID# 63

B SubID# A

C Category Alterantive Preference

D Subcategory NoBuild

E Name Ferron

F Comment Idonotbelievethereissufficientcongestionnoworforecastinthefuturetosupporttheneedforathirdbridge.Alsoconsiderthehighcost.Ibelievethatmoneycanbetterbeusedonotherprojects. Morehighwaysandbridgesmeanmoresprawlandimpactonourenvironment.Ibelievewiththehighcostoffuelandtransportationthatmorepeoplewanttoliveclosertowheretheywork.Weareseeingmoreefforttorenewour downtownsandoldersectionsoftowns.

115 64 A Alterantive Preference NoBuild;other options Firestone Atsomepoint,morelaneswouldbehelpfulontheexistingbridges.LightedsignstowarnofaccidentsortrafficproblemsareneededonHwy22attheIndependenceJctandWestSalemexitwithdetourinstructions. Thebridgescouldbemanagedmoreefficientlyw/onewconstruction.Duringrushhoursordaytimehours,onlyONElanechangeshouldbeallowedheadingWest.FromFrontSt,trafficwantingtogotoWallaceRdshouldgopassedtheparkto CommercialStandjointrafficfor1block&turnrightontothebridge.ThetrafficflowonthebridgeisrestrictedbytrafficcrossingtoEdgewaterSt.Atrushhour,nocrossingtoEdgewaterjustgotoRosemontandjoinEdgewater. Governmentoffices(largestemployer)shouldhavevariablehourssoemployeesdon'tallleaveworkatthesamehour. NexttimeWheatlandFerryneedstobereplaced,a2lanebridgeshouldbebuilt.Theferryisanicetourattractionbutnotveryreliableforfarmersandb/cofweather. Anychoiceshoulddisruptbusinessandhomesaslittleaspossible. The"expensive"walkingbridgeshouldbeavailableforemergencyvehiclesandtohelpwithcarsduringaccidentsonthemainbridge. ThebridgescouldbeusedliketheGoldenGateBridgewithalternatelanesavailableduringemergencyoraccidents. ThestoplightsonWallace(espatthebridge)couldhelpwhentrafficbacksuponthebridge.ThelightsonWallacecouldstaygreenmuchlongerfrom4:306:30rushhourtogetcarsoffthebridgequicker. Thebiggestproblemfortrafficjamandcausingaccidentsisexcessivelanechangesduringrushhour. ThecityshouldNOTwastemoneyonafootbridgetoMintoIsland!!! Don'tputmoreflowerbedsbetweenlanesoftraffic.Weneedmorelanesnotmoreunkeptflowerbeds.Addturnlanesandhelpbusinessesnotrestrictentrancetobusinesses. Wehavewastedenoughmoneyonbigcurbssopeoplecanwalkacrossthestreetfasterbutareatmoreriskofgettinghitbycommercialvehiclemirrorsbystandingclosertotraffic. Usesomecommonsenseinmakingdecisionsandspendingtaxpayermoney.

116 65 A Alternative Preference Alt2A Fisher,Chuck AndIwouldliketotestifyinfavorofoption2A,Ithink2Agetsusmostoftheoralotoftheproblemssolvedatapricewemaybeabletoafford.AndespeciallywhenIreadtheIreadatleasttheexecutivesummaryofthetome,andfound thatasinthepast,alotoftheproblemisonthebridgeheads.Sooption2A,byprovidingaseparationofthecrossoverontheMarionStreetbridgeandtheonelanegoingnorthonMarineDrive,andtheconnectionmakesalotofsensetome. It'salsoascalethatmakesalotofsensetome,becauseMarineDrivewasneversupposedtobeafourlaneorarterial.ItwasalwayssupposedtobeacollectorstreetwithapromenadeontheRiversidethatwassupposedtobeagentile experienceforthecommunity.Ihelpeddrawthatline15yearsago,soIremember.AndneitherwasWallaceRoad.WallaceRoadneedsalotofimprovements;itdoesn'tneedalotmorelanes,inmyopinion.We'regoingtoaninducedtraffic model,ratherthanmakingthechangesweneedto.Theotherthingthattheotheroptions,inadditiontobeingtooexpensive,aretoodisruptivetoneighborhoods,tobusinesses.Andsoifwereallyneedtomoveforwardbybuildingsomething,I think2Aisthesolution.Imean,mywifeplayssoftballandgoesoverthatbridgearound5:30or6:00,youknow,onceaweekduringthesummer.LastweekIwasatWestSalemHighSchool,andat5:30Iwaitedonelight.Soyouknow,partofme issayingwhatistheproblemwe'retryingtosolve?Wehavegotalotmoreissues,wedon'thaveadequatebusserviceinthesecondlargestcity.Wehaveprobablysomeoftheworstbusservice.Weshouldbefundingthatwithmoneywemight bespendingonabiggerbridge,aswellasfixingpotholes. Iamreallypersuadedthatthenobuildoptionisreallytheintelligentchoice.IstartedmyanalysisoftheinformationrightherewithTable3,Table3.134,whichshowstheOperationalAnalysisofthevariousintersectionsintheaffectedarea. Eachoftheseblackmarksrepresentsanintersectionthatfailsthestandardsofmobilityaccordingtothecriterialaidoutintheanalysis.Ihavecountedthenumberofintersectionsthatfail.Threeofthemareactuallyworsethanthenobuild option.Twoofthemofferreallynosignificantimprovement.Oneofthemofferssomereliefofcongestion,andsomeimprovementofmobility.That'sthe4C,4Eoption,butstillfiveintersectionsfailthere.WhenIlookatthis,itisreallya textbooksituationofthelawsofurbancongestion,andinduceddemandinaction.YoucanseethatIreallydon'tseethatanyoftheseoptionssatisfactorilyaddresstheproblemofmobilityinthestudyarea.Regardingthat4C,4Ealternative, Table3.128goesoverthetraveltimesthroughthestudyarea.Mostofthetraveltimes,theimprovementisonlyafewminutesoverthenobuildalternative.Sowhenmeasuredbythatstandard,itlookstomelikewe'respendinghundredsof millionstosaveminutes,whichmeanswe'respendingmillionstosaveseconds.Andeventhen,Ihavegonehereandlookedatthetraveltimesforthestatusquoandcomparedthemtowhatwehavenow.Mostofthetraveltimesdonot aren'tanybetterthanwhatwehavenow.Someofthemareevenworse.Ithinkthatexposesaflawinthestatementofneedwhenitcomestomobility,becauseifweactuallyaregoingtoclaimthatwehaveaproblemwithtraveltimesright now,Ithinktheevidenceshowsthatthealternativesdon'taddressthatproblemsatisfactorilyenough.Ifitdoesn'tworknow,it'snotgoingtoworkin2031. Ifit'sgoodenoughin2031,thenwedon'thaveaproblemnow.SoIthinkyouaregoingtohavearealproblemjustifyingthestatementofneedthere.Andlastly,Iquestiontheneedforthebridge,becauseinthestudyperiodnow,theoriginal capacitycorridorstudiesreplacedstartedin2008.Thenumberoftripsoverthebridgehasplateauedandevenfallen,andtheoveralltraveltrendshaveevenbeenmoredramaticwiththeVMTtravelpercapitadroppingdramaticallythroughout thestate,andeventhenumberofdriversenteringthedrivingpoolinMarionCountyhasdroppeddramatically.SoIthinktheoveralltrendsaregoingaretrendingawayfromtheneedofsingleoccupancytrips.

117 66 A Alternative Preference NoBuild Fisher,Curt

118 67 A Alternative Preference NoBuild Fisher,Curt

119 68 A Traffic Buildalternatives don'taddressneeds Fisher,Curt IhavespentquiteabitoftimewiththeImpactStatement.Iamverydubiousabouttheclaimsthatanyoftheseprojectswillactuallyincreasemobilityoraccomplishthestatedgoalsfortheproject.ThefirstchartthatIdrewmyattention,that drewmyattentionisachartinchapter3,table3.134,whichshowedtheafternoonoperationalresultsofalltheintersectionsintheaffectedarea.Theintersectionsarewheremuchofthecongestionhappens.It'salsowheremuchofthe crashinghappens.Those,Ithink,arethemostthebestmeasureofmobilitythroughtheaffectedarea.Thenobuildalternative,nineintersectionsfail,12intersectionsfailinalternativeQA,11intersectionsfailinalternative4A,10intersections failinalternative4B,soyouhavethreeoptionsrighttherethatperformmeasurablyworseinthecategoryofmobilitythanthenobuildoptions.Sothenyougotoalternative2B,whereeightoftheintersectionsfail,andalternative3whereseven oftheintersectionsfail.Thattomeislikeapush.Imeantohavetospendhundredsofmillionstoget,youknow,oneortwointersectionsthatperformalittlebetter,thatjustthecostbenefitanalysisjustdoesn'tworkoutformerightthere, soIthinkthoseshouldbeeliminatedaswell.Theonlyalternativethatreallygivesyouameasurableincreaseinmobilitythroughtheintersectionsisalternative4C,4E.There,evenfiveoftheintersectionsfailthemobilitystandards,butit'sthe onlyonethatIseewhereyoucanmakeanargumentthatcongestionisreallymitigatedtosomeextent.Andtheneventhere,whenyougototheanalysisoftraveltimesforthat4C,4Ealternative,throughthemostcommondestinationsthatare inthecentralbusinessdistrict,whichiswheremostoftheemploymentisandwheremostofthecommutertrafficisheadingfromWestSalemintothecentralbusinessdistrict,thetraveltimesarereallyjustafewminutesbetter.Imean4 minutes,3.4minutes,2.1minutes,2minutesforthosetrips.

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A 1 ID# 69

B SubID# A

C Category Traffic

D E Subcategory Name Vehicleusagenot Fisher,Curt increasingasstatedin DEIS

F Comment Imeanwearespending,wearetalkingaboutspendinghundredsofmillionsofdollarstosaveminutes,whichmeanswearereallyspendingmillionstosaveseconds.Andeventhen,thetraveltimesforthealternativesareinmanycasesno better,inmanycasestheyareevenworsethanthetraveltimesweseerightnow.SotheproblemIhavewiththatis,goesbacktothestatementofneedasfarasaddressingtheneedformobility.Ifwehaveaproblemnow,andwehaveaneed nowtoimprovemobilitythroughthisarea,weshouldhaveasolutionthatismeasurablybetterthanthestatusquo.Ifwehaveaproblemnow,in2031weneedtoseethatproblemimprove.Ifit'sgoodenoughfor2031,itshouldbegoodenough now.Ifit'snotgoodenoughnow,it'snotgoingtobegoodenoughin2031,whichleadstotheproblemofaddressingthestatementofneed,andprovingthatthere,infact,isaneedforthis.TheotherthingisthatIthinkthetrendis,toward drivingandsingleoccupancyvehicletripsthroughhereisgoingdown.Thenumberofdriver'slicensesinMarionCountyhasdroppeddramatically,especiallyamongyoungpeople.Thenumberofvehiclemilestraveledoverthestatehasdropped dramatically,andeventhenumberoftripsoverthebridgesincetheoriginalcapacitystudystartedhasleveledoutandevendropped,soIthinktheneedforthisprojectisreallydubious.AsIwassaying,thenumberofyoungdriversin Marion/PolkCounty,thenumberofpeopleenteringthedrivingpoolisdroppingdramatically.Thetrendisforlessyoungpeoplegettingdriver'slicenses,enteringthedrivingpool,andthatreflectsalargernationaltrendtowardslessrelianceon theautomobileasapredominantmodeoftransportation.ThisisanarticlepublishedinBlumberg.It'scalled,"MillenialsDrivingLessandWorriedAbouttheCostofCarOwnership."ThisisaresearchmarketstudydonebyKRCResearchof millennialdrivers,ages18to34,and64percentofthemsaytheywoulddrivelessifalternativeoptionsincludingpublictransportation,carsharing,convenientcarpoolingwereavailableintheirarea.Inthe25to34agegroup,67percentsaythey woulddrivelessifotheroptionswereavailable.

121 70 A Traffic Vehicleusagenot Fisher,Curt increasingasstatedin DEIS Thereare80millionoftheseconsumersouthererightnow.Theyarebiggerthanthebabyboomers.Theyarethelargestmostpowerfulconsumergroupinthehistoryofourcountry.Overwhelminglypollsshowthattheywanttodriveless,they wantmoretransportationoptions,andtheywanttoliveindenser,morewalkable,urbanneighbors,moreofaMainStreettypeofdevelopmentpattern.AndthefutureofdevelopmentinWestSalemlooksliketraditionalsuburbansprawl,andif wespendhundredsofmillionsofdollarstoencouragethosedevelopmentpatterns,wearegoingtobemuchlesslikelytobeabletodeliverthesenewconsumersthelifestylethattheywantto,thattheywanthereinSalem,andtheyaregoing tosimplylookelsewhereforjobs.Theyaregoingtolookelsewhereforplacestoraisetheirfamilyandputdownroots,becausewearenotabletomeettheirneeds,andthisisthegroupthat'sgoingtobethenextgenerationofhomeowners,the nextgenerationoffamilies,thenextgenerationofentrepreneursthatwearegoingtorelyontogrowSalemandmakeitamorelivableplace.WhenIrefertothedropinvehiclemilestraveled,thedropinautomobileusage,themostcommon responseis,well,it'stiedtotherecession.AndI'mlookingatachartherepublishedbythefederalreservebankofSt.Louis.It'sinthecontextofanarticle.Thetitleofthearticleis,"Thiscollapseinautomobileusageiscompletelyunprecedented intheAmericaneconomy."Andwhatitshowsis,whatthechartshowsisthedivergencebetweenGDP,whichstartedtorecoverawhileback,andthedeclineincarusage.Theindicatorsdivergeseveralyearsback,whichstronglysuggeststhat thereisadecouplingbetweenthenumberofvehiclemilestraveledandthestateoftheeconomy.SoIthinkthereisameasurablechangeintransportationpreferencesandthenatureofthetransportationdepartment,thenatureofthe transportationmarket,andI'mveryconcernedthatputtingthesekindofresourcesintoaprojectlikethisisgoingtomakeusmuchlesspreparedtomeetthedemandsofthe21stcentury.

122 71 A Traffic Encouragealternate Fisher,Curt modes AnevidencebasedsolutionforwaystomeetthemobilityneedsacrossthebridgeoracrossourbridgesandacrosstherivercanbeseenjusttothenorthofusinPortland.Theyhaveaccommodatedalargesubstantialincreaseintotalnumberof trafficovertheirbridges,12percentincreaseintrafficoveralltheirbridges,andatthesametime,they'veseenactuallyadecreaseinthenumberofcarstravelingoverthebridges,andallthatextragrowthhasbeenaccommodatedbybicycles, andIthinkthereisalatentdemandforabicycleusageinSalem.Pollsshowthat80percentofSalemresidentswouldbikeandwalkmoreandreplacemoreoftheirtrips,moreoftheirsingleoccupancycartripswithbikingtripsifyouprovided betterbikefacilities.ThisisactuallyastatementofneedintheDEIS.Allthealternativestomelookliketheyareonlyincreasingthebarrierstotravelthroughthecentralbusinessdistrict,throughWestSalem.Becauseoftheadditionallanes added,Ithinkthebarrierswillactuallyincreaseandthesituationwillactuallygetworseforbikesandpedswithalltheseoptions.ThelastconcernthatIhaveiswithregardstosafety.Improvementinsafetyisidentifiedasaneedthroughthis corridorandthroughtheseintersections.IseenoIdon'tseeanywayhowyoucanincreasethecapacityatthelevelthatwearetalkingaboutdoing,andnotseeingcrashesgoup.Theimpactstatementsaysthatcongestioniscausingthe crashesnow,butI'vealwaysbeentaughtthatspeedkills,andifweaddmorelanesandcreatemorecapacity,thespeedswillincrease,crasheswillincrease,andthiswillhappenatatimewhenwehavelessandlessresourcestoevenpayforthe firstresponders,thelawenforcementofficials,thepoliceofficersandthelikethatwearegoingtorelyontorespondtothesecrashes.Thelastthingregardingsafetyisthereisaverystrongcorrelationbetweenpopulationdensityandthe numberoffatalcarcrashes. Youcanseethisinthedatathatwasrecentlypublishedinthecountybycountyhealthstatistics.In,forinstance,Marion/Polkcounties,wehaveafatalityrateof13fatalitiesper100,000inpopulation,whereasMultnomahCountyhas8fatalities per100,000population.Asyoupursueamoresprawling,lowerdensitydevelopment,whichwearelikelytoseeinWestSalemasaresultofthisproject,thenumberoffatalitieswillgoup.Themortalityrateswillgoup.Andthatwilldramatically thatwouldnegativelyaffectthequalityoflifeandthehealth,publichealthoutcomesthatwearelookingfor.Andthistrend,youcansearchthedataandlookthroughthemoreruralcounties.Thefatalitiesjustgoskyhighthelowerdensitythe developmentis.IguessthelastthingthatIwouldcommentonistheenvironmentaljusticesection.Thisisanincrediblythinchapterforaprojectofthisscale.Itessentiallyjustreassertstheassumptionthatthiswillbenefitlowerincome communitiesbyincreasingmobility,butthefactis,it'sgoingtonegativelyimpactthem,becausetheyaregoingtohavelesssafealternativeslikebikingandwalking.Transitwillnottransitservicewillnotimprove,becausetheywillbeaffected bythedecreaseinmobilityinthisproject,justassingleoccupancycartripswill,andtheywillhavelesssafealternativescrossingtheselargerroads,andmorelanesoftraffic,andtheywillbeevenmoredependentoncartripstomeettheir transportationneeds.AndweknowthattheaveragefamilyintheUnitedStatesspendsabout22centsofeverydollarontransportation.Thecostissecondonlytohousing.Ittakesfarmoreoutofthebudget,leavesthemwithlesstospend, save,andinvest,thantaxesorhealthcareoranythingelsebesideshousing.Sotheywillhavelessoptions,whichwillleavethemwithlessmoneyintheirpocketsastheyaremoredependentoncarstogetfrompointAtopointB.Thatisaboutit, Iguess. 1.Thisprojectisnotneeded: Congestionexistfor2hoursaday7daysaweekwhichiscausedbylessthan7%ofSalem'spopulationthatlivesinWestSalemandworksineastSalem.Thisdoesnotpresentacompellingpublicneed. 2.Trafficoverthebridgeshasfallensince2008andwilllikelycontinuetofall.OverallVMTonOregonhighwayshasbeenindeclineandfeweryoungresidentsofMarionandPolkCountiesaregettingnewdriver'slicenses.

123 72 A Traffic Buildalternatives worsensafety conditions Fisher,Curt

124 73 125 73 126 73 127 73 D Traffic Encouragealternate Fisher,Curt modes 4.TheCityofSalemhasnotdemonstratedadequateprogresstowardmeetingitsmultimodalplanningobjectivesincluding:triplingthemodeshareforcyclingby2015anddoublingthemodeshareforwalkingby2015. 5.UntiltheCitymakesthesegoalsapriorityitisprematuretodeclaretherequiredTDMmeasuresinadequate.6.ThewidespreadexpansionoftheroadwaysthroughouttheaffectedareawillmakeSalemamorethreateningandhostile environmentforwalkingandbiking,puttingSalem'smultimodalplanninggoalsevenfurtheroutofreach. C Traffic B Traffic A Traffic Congestionlevelsnot Fisher enoughtojustifynew bridge Vehicleusagenot Fisher,Curt increasingasstatedin DEIS Buildalternatives don'taddressneeds Fisher,Curt

3.TheDEISoperationalmodelsshowtrafficcongestion,delaysandmobilityallgetworsewitheveryalternative.ThetimesavingsovertheNoBuildoptionsareverysmall(35minutesforthemostcommontrips)andarenotworththecost.

128 73 E Socioeconomics Residentialand businessimpacts Fisher,Curt 7.SalemcannotaffordthecostsidentifiedintheSocioeconomicAnalysis: Thebuildoptionswoulddisplacebetween10to75businesses. Thesebusinessesemploy160to540people. Theeconomiclossesfromthebuildoptionswillcosttheregionbetween$19.6millionand$80.9millionperyearinlostsalesandrevenue. Thebuildoptionswillshrinktaxrevenuebetween$109,000to$318,000peryear. Thebuildoptionswillincreasedemandforemergencyservicesduetotheincreaseincrashesandtheinjuriesanddeathsresultingfromthem.

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A 1 ID# 73 130 73 131 73 132 73 133 74

B SubID# F

C Category Traffic

D Subcategory Buildalternatives worsensafety conditions

E Name Fisher,Curt

F Comment 8.Addingupto80,000ADTincapacityovertheriverwillincreasethenumberofcrashes.ImprovingsafetyisidentifiedinthestatementofneedbuttheimpactofthisprojectonsafetyisnotanalyzedintheDEIS.9.TheFHWA'slistof"Proven SafetyCountermeasures"assertsthatlanereductionimprovessafety,notlaneexpansion. 10.TheprojectwillincreasecardependencyinSalem.TheCentersForDiseaseControlandPreventionshowthatcardependencyandautocentricdevelopmentresultingreaterratesofobesity,inactivity,depressionandtrafficfatalities.

Traffic

Buildaltspromotecar Fisher,Curt usage Peoplechoosingto liveclosertowork Residentialand economicimpacts Buildalternatives don'taddressneeds Fisher,Curt

LandUse

11.ResearchonhousingandtransportationmarketsconductedbytheDemandInstitute,theFrontierGroup,theNationalAss.ofRealtors,andtheInternationalAss.ofHomebuilderallindicatethat21stcenturyconsumersprefertolivecloser, driveless,andutilizeactivetransportationoptionsasmuchaspossible. 12.ThisprojectwillmakeSalemanunappealingplacetoliveandcrippleoureconomicprosperityforgenerationstocome. NoneoftheoptionspresentedintheDEISsatisfactorilyaddressthestatementofneed.Chapter1.Need:TheDEISfailstoestablishtheneedforthisproject.Itisbasedontheflawedprojectionsthatfailtoconsidercurrenttrendsin transportationmarket.DEISshowsthatnoneofthealternativeswillreducecongestionorimproveoperationsafetyormobilityforallusers."NeedStatement#1:Basedonavailabledata,theexistingrivercrossingfacilitiesandlocalbridge systeminSalemareinadequatetoimprovetrafficoperationsinthestudyareaovertheNoBuildAlternativeconditions. PleaseincludethefollowingcommentsinthepublicrecordfortheSalemRiverCrossing. NoneoftheoptionspresentedintheDEISsatisfactorilyaddressthestatementofneed.Chapter1.Need:TheDEISfailstoestablishtheneedforthis project.Itisbasedonflawedprojectionsthatfailtoconsidercurrenttrendsintransportationmarket.DEISshowsthatnoneofthealternativeswillreducecongestionorimproveoperationalsafetyormobilityforallusers. NeedStatement#1.Basedonavailabledata,theexistingrivercrossingfacilitiesandlocalbridgesysteminSalemareinadequateforcurrentandfuturetrafficdemand,resultinginaneedtoimprovetrafficoperationsinthestudyareaoverthe NoBuildAlternativeconditions.Averagedailytrips(ADT)overthebridgeshavefallensince2008.The2008CorridorCapacityStudyprojected106,000ADTby2015.Thisshowsthattheforecastingmodelusedtopredictfuturedemandis flawed.PercapitaVehicleMilesTraveledonOregonhighwayshasfallendramaticallysince2006:VMThascontinuedtodropevenhasGOPhasgrowandtheeconomyhasaddedjobs:VehiclemilestraveleddivergedfromGOPin1996:The numbersofnewdriverslicensesinMarionCountyhasfalleninrecentyearswhichindicatesthattrendstowardlessdrivingarelikelytopersist.Allthisevidenceshowsthattransportationmarketsaredemandingmorechoicesandflexibility,This projectdoesnotprovidethat.Operationalanalysisshowthatnoneofthealternativesoffermobilityimprovementsovercurrentconditions:Allalternativesshowworsetrafficconditionsandmoreintersectionsthatfailtomeetthemobility standard,Only(4C/4E)showsanymobilityimprovementoverthenobuild,Eventhe4C/Ealternativeshowsminimalreductionintraveltimes:Themostcommontripsoverthebridgesaretoandfromthecentralbusinessdistrict.Thelongest traveltimesundertheNoBuildarenomorethan13minutes.Thisprojectwouldwastemillionstosaveseconds.

I A

Socioeconomics Purpose&Need

Fisher,Curt Fisher,Curt

134 75 135 75 B Traffic Analysisflawed Fisher,Curt A Traffic Buildalternatives don'taddressneeds Fisher,Curt

136 75 C Traffic Buildalternatives don'taddresssafety needs Fisher,Curt NeedStatement#2.Basedonavailabledata,theexistingrivercrossingfacilitiesandlocalbridgeconnectionsinSalemareinadequateforcurrentandfutureusers(vehicles,freight,bicycles,andpedestrians)withregardtosafetyconditions, resultinginaneedtoimprovetrafficsafetyforailtheseusers.Morelanesareassociatedwithhigherspeedsandmorecrashes.Fasterspeedswillmeanthosecrasheswillcausemorepropertydamageandwillmorelikelyresultininjuryordeath. TheprojectwillinducemoretrafficonFrontSt.,CommercialSt.,LibertySt.ontheeastsideandonWallaceRoad,andMarineDr.onthewestside.Thiswillresultinworseningsafetyconditionsforbikesandpedestrians.Increasedcongestionat intersectionswillinducemorecrashesintheprojectareaforallusers.Morethreateningconditionsforbikesandpedestrianswilldiscouragewalkingandbikingandmakeitmoredifficultforthecitytoachieveitsmultimodaltransportation objectives.MorethreateningconditionsforbikesandpedswillincentivizemoreSOVtrips.IncreasedcardependencywillincreasetransportationcostsforallSalemresidents. NeedStatement#3.Basedonavailabledata,theexistingrivercrossingfacilitiesandlocalbridgesysteminSalemareinadequateforcurrentandfuturefreightvehiclecapacity,resultinginaneedtoimprovefreightmobilityintheareaofthe CenterStreetandMarionStreetBridges.Freighttripsareonly4.5%oftripsoverthebridges.Freightwillencounterlongerdelaysthroughtheareaduetotheincreasednumberofintersectionthatfailtomeetthemobilitystandard.Single OccupancyVehicle(SOV)tripsarethelargestshareoftripsoverthebridgesandareprimarilyresponsibleforthecongestion.Theprojectwillalternatemodeslessattractive,lesssafeandinducemoreSOVtripsandcausemorecongestion.Need Statement#4.Congestionlevelsontheexistingrivercrossingfacilitiesresultinunreliablepublictransportationservice,therebynecessitatinganimprovementintransittraveltimeandreliabilityfromtoWestSalem.Theprojectdoesnotinclude anyimprovementsfortransit.TheprojecttreatsbusesthesameasanSOV.OperationalanalysisinCh.3showsthatmobilitydecreasesunderalloptionresultinginlessreliabletransitservice.LessreliabletransitservicewillinducemoreSOV trips.NeedStatement#5.TheexistingrivercrossingoptionsinSalemareinadequatetoaccommodateemergencyresponsevehiclesintheeventofrestrictedaccesstoand/orclosureoftheexistingbridgesbecauseofanemergencyorother incident,resultingintheneedtoprovideimprovedcrossingsoranadditionalcrossingincasetheCenterStreetandMarionStreetBridgesareclosedorlimitedbecauseofanincident.TheUnionSt.Bridgecanaccommodateemergencyvehicles iftheexistingbridgesareclosedorblocked.Iftheforecastingmodelsareaccurate,thenewbridgewilllikelybecomejustascongestedastheexistingbridges.

137 75 D Traffic Buildaltspromotecar Fisher,Curt usage

138 75 E Traffic Buildalternatives don'tpromote alternatemodesin accordancewithState policies Chapter2:AlternativesTheTransportationDemandManagementAlternativewasdismissedwithoutadequatejustification.(DEIS2.2.6.13)Thesectionprovidesnosupportingevidencetojustifydismissingthisoption.Thesectionstatesthatit doesn'taddresstheproblemofcongestionattheintersectionsnearthebridgeheads.TheforecastmodelshowsthatonlyAlt.4C/EshowsimprovementovertheNoBuildregardingmobilitythroughtheintersections.Ifthisstandardisapplied fairlyandconsistently,allalternativesthatfailtoimprovemobilitystandardsthroughtheintersectionsshouldalsobeeliminated.FailingtoincludethisalternativeviolatesOregonStatePlanningGoal12whichstatesthatatransportationplan shallconsiderallmodesoftransportationincludingmasstransit,bicycleandpedestrianmodes.ProceedingwithanybuildoptionbeforeimplementingthisalternativeviolatestheSalemTransportationSystemPlanpolicy2.5(2)(b)whichrequires TransportationDemandManagementmeasurestobeimplementedtoalleviatecongestion.InChapter1,theDEISstatesthatthebicyclefacilitiesoverthebridgesareinadequate. Thereforethesefacilitiesarerequiredtobeimprovedbeforeanyadditionalautomobilecapacitycanbeadded.Theconnectionstotheexistingbridgesneedtobeimprovedbeforeanyadditionalcapacitycanbeadded.Trafficvolumeson WallaceRd.,FrontSt.CommercialSt.andLibertySt.restrictaccesstotheUnionSt.bike/ped.Bridge.Untilbikesandpedestriansareallowedcomfortable,safeandconvenientaccesstothisfacilitythereisnobasistoconcludethattrafficoverthe bridgescannotbemitigatedwiththisoption.StatePlanningGoal12requiresthisoptionbeimplementedinordertodecreaserelianceontheSOVasthedominanttravelmodesovertheexistingbridges.TheCityofSalemhasnotshown adequateprogresstowardtheplanninggoalssetforthintheTSPasofJune12,2012whichincludetriplingthebikemodeshareby2015anddoublingthewalkmodeshareby2015.The2008CorridorCapacitystudyassumesthesegoalswillbe met.Giventhefactthattrafficcountsoverthebridgeshavefallenwithoutshowingprogresstowardthesegoals,itislikelywiththerequiredimprovementstothebike/ped.Network,thisprojectwouldbeunnecessary.Alternative2A:This alternativewouldremovethebike/ped.facilitiesontheexistingbridges.Ch.1indentifiedthesefacilitiesasinadequate.Thereforeeliminatingthemwouldreducebike/ped.accessacrossthebridgesandnotmeetthisneed.Studiesshowthat addingvehicularcapacitydoesnotreducecongestionandonlyencouragesmoreSOVuse.EncouragingmoreSOVuseviolatesstateandlocaltransportationplanningobjectives.Thisalternativedoesnotmeettheneedtoimprovesafety. Additionallanesareassociatedwithhigherspeedsandmorecrashes.LanereductionisaFHWA"ProvenSafetyCountermeasure".WiththisalternativemoreintersectionsfailtomeetthemobilitystandardthantheNoBuildAlternative. ExpandingWallaceRd.toeightlaneswillmakecrossingWallaceRd.morehostileforbikeandpedestrians.Alternative2B:8intersectionswillfailtomeetthemobilitystandardinthePMtravelperiodcomparedto9withtheNoBuild.This marginalimprovementisnotworththecost.Gradeseparationofroadwaysdowntownwillinducemoreblight.MoregradeseparatedroadwaysareinconsistentwiththeurbancharacterofdowntownSalem.Thegradeseparatedroadwaysare inconsistentwiththeVision2020Plan.ExpandingWallaceRd.tosevenlaneswillmakecrossingWallaceRd.morehostileforbikeandpedestrians.ConstructionofMarineDr.willcreateanotherbarrierforbiketravelbetweentheUnionSt. bridgeandtheRoth'sshoppingcenterandKaiserPermanentewhereourpediatricianislocated.ImprovedaccesstotheeastsideoftheUnionSt.Bridgewouldbenegatedbuypooraccessandworsebike/ped.circulationtothewest.

139

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B SubID# F

C Category Traffic

D Subcategory Name Buildalternativesare notcosteffective

F Comment PotentialforlanereductiononS.CommercialSt.fromCenterSt.toFerrySt.isencouraging.Alternative3:7intersectionswillfailtomeetthemobilitystandardinthePMtravelperiodcomparedto9withtheNoBuild.Thismarginal improvementisnotworththecost.GradeseparatedroadwaysinNorthSalemwillinducemoreblight.GradeseparatedroadwayswilldestroythecharacteroftheGrandHighlandNeighborhood.InducingmoretrafficonSalemParkwayand wideningCherryAve.willeliminatetheonlytolerablebikeroutebetweenSalemandKeizer.Doesnotaddresstheneedtoimprovesafetyforbikesandpedestrians.Doesnotaddresstheinadequaciesofthecurrentbridgesindentifiedinthe statementofneed.Alternative4ATheleastoffensivealternative.11intersectionswillfailtomeetthemobilitystandardinthePMtravelperiodcomparedto9withtheNoBuild.Thisoptiondoesnotmeettheneedtoimprovemobility.The Pine/HickoryCoupletwillinduceblight,reducepropertyvalues,andcausethetaxbasetofurthercontract.ThePine/HickoryCoupletwillhurtthecirculationoflocaltraffic.ThePine/HickoryCoupletwilldeterbikeandpedestrianactivity.Does notaddresstheneedtoimprovesafetyforbikesandpedestrians.Doesnotaddresstheinadequaciesofthecurrentbridgesindentifiedinthestatementofneed.Alternative4B11intersectionswillfailtomeetthemobilitystandardinthePM travelperiodcomparedto9withtheNoBuild.Thisoptiondoesnotmeettheneedtoimprovemobility.Bike/ped.accesstotheUnionSt.bridgewouldworsenwithwideningCommercialSt.Allothercommentsregarding2Aapply.

141 75 G Traffic Encouragealternate Fisher,Curt modes TransportationDemandManagement:ThisprojectisadirectconsequenceoftheCityofSalem'sfailuretoachieveismultimodalplanninggoals.TheSKATStraveldemandmodelreliesonincorrectassumption(2%)regardingalternativemode sharethatcontradictotherdatapresentedinChapter3.Chapter3presentsadatasetthatisradicallydifferent:Thisdatadoesnotevenaddressbikeandwalkmodeshares.ThecurrentSalemTSPestimatesthesemodestobe7%ofalltrips (1,5%bikeand5,5%ped,)ThecurrentSalemTSPsetsthepolicygoaloftriplingthebikemodeshareto4,5%anddoublethewalkmodeshareto11%by2015,TheseplanninggoalsarelegallybindingunderOregonStatelaw,Wecannotingood faithassumethattheCityofSalemwillfailtomeettheplanninggoalssetbyCityCouncil.ThedecreaseinbridgetrafficoverthepastfouryearsprovidesevidencethatTransportationDemandManagementmeasureshavebeeneffectivein reducingtrafficontheexistingbridges.Portlandhasshownthatmultimodalsolutionsareeffectiveformanagingtrafficdemandovertheirbridges:PBOTbikecoordinatorRogerGellerexplains:InthecaseoftheHawthorneBridge,thenegative effectsofcongestionhavebeenkeptatbay.Because,whilethenumberofvehiclesincreased20%between1991and2008,thatincreasehasbeenalmostwhollyinbicycletraffic.Hadtheincreasebeenasitmightbeinmostplacesautomobiles, thentheintersectionsateitherendsofthebridgewouldlikelyhavefailedintheirabilitytoeffectivelyandefficientlymovetraffic.Theengineeringsolutiontothistypeofcongestionwouldhavebeentowidentheintersections,addmoretravel lanestothebridge,addmoregreentimetothemovementsontothebridge.Inreality,becausetherearescantfundsforsuchimprovements,nothingwouldhavebeendoneandthecostswouldhavebeenthoseofincreasedcongestion. However,becausetheincreaseddemandformobilityhasbeenbornealmostexclusivelybythebicycle,automotivetrafficflowsinthisareathesametodayasitdidin1991.Itisforthisreason,inpart,thatPortland'sawardwinningtraffic engineer,RobBurchfield,statesthat:"Bicyclinginfrastructureisrelativelyeasytoimplementandlowcostcomparedtoothermodes.Itisbyfarthemostcosteffectivewaytoprovideforpersonalmobilityinanurbantransportationsystem. htfp:llbikeporlland.orgI2010104123Ihowbiketraffichassavedourcitytimeandmoney32426TheSalemTransportationSystemPlan,theSalemComprehensivePlan,andOregonTransportationGoal12requirethemeasuresintheAlternate ModesStudytobeimplementedbeforeadditionalSOVcapacitycanbeadded.TheAlternateModesStudyismorereflectiveof21stCenturymarkettrendintransportationtowardmorebiking,walking,andtransit.

142 75 H LandUse Buildalternatives encourage developmentthatis atoddswithCity policies Fisher,Curt Chapter3.2,LandUse:Increasedcongestionoverthebridgesisaresultofsprawling,poorlyplanned,autocentricdevelopmentpatterns.Salemisdominatedbysprawlingstripcommercialdevelopmentandsegregatedzoningthatfuelsthe demandforautomobileuseanddiscouragesalternativetransportationmodes.Thisprojectisinconsistentwithanumberofstatewideandregionalplanninginitiativestoprovidemorediversehousingandtransportationoptionsthatwould reduceautodependency.TheprojectisinconsistentwiththeSalemVision2020ActionPlan:TheprojectwillhinderthedevelopmentofnewdowntownhousingbyinducingmoretrafficthroughtheCentralBusinessDistrictandmaking downtownlesslivableandlessattractiveasadestinationforshoppingandotherbusinessactivity.TheprojectprioritiesWestSalemsprawloverresponsiblegrowthdowntown.ByinducingmoretrafficonMarineDr.,WallaceRoad,Commercial, andLibertySt.itwillincreasethebarriersbetweeneastandWestSalem,especiallyforbicyclesandpedestrians.Atrolley,shuttle,orpeoplemoverhasbeenrecommendedaspartoftheVision2020Planandshouldbeimplementedasa TransportationDemandManagementmeasurebeforeanyroadwideningtakesplace.ThisisrequiredbytheStreetSystemElementintheTransportationSystemPlan.Inducingmoretrafficwillmakeitmoredifficultforthecitytoimprove bicyclefacilities,reducetheexcessivelanesdowntown,restoretwowaytraffictothestreetgrid,andmakedowntownalessautoorientedenvironment.Thewidespreaduseofelevatedroadwayswillinducemoreblightinthedowntownarea. ThenorthernalternativesprioritizetraveltoKeizerStation,Woodburn,BridgeportVillageandPortlandandhurtdowntownmerchants. Theprojectisinconsistentwiththemultimodalgoals,policiesandobjectivesoftheSalemTransportationSystemPlan.Salem'sgoalsfortheTSPincludetriplingthenumberoftripbybikeanddoublingthenumberofwalkingtripsby2015.The wide,elevatedroadwayswillinducemoreSOVtrips,driveuptrafficvolumesandmakeSalemamorehostileenvironmentforbikingandwalking.TheprojectisinconsistentwithTSPpolicy1.1,policy2.1,policy2.2,thataddressmultimodalstreet design.Allthebuildalternativesignificantlycompromisethesafetyandconnectivityforbikesandpeds,throughtheaffectedarea.SalemhasnotimplementedtherequiredTOM(TSPpolicy2.5.2.e.)measuresthatarerequiredbythestreet systemelementbeforeexistingroadscanbewidened.TheprojectisinconsistentwiththetransportationplanningobjectivesinsectionJ.oftheSalemComprehensivePlanincluding:MultimodalTransportation(4.):Theprojectlackssufficient accommodationsforbikesandpeds.Circulationandconnectivity(5.).Theprojectwillcompromisecirculationandconnectivityforbikes,pedsandlocalvehiculartrafficbyconcentratingandprioritizingthroughtrips.

143 75 I Traffic Buildalternativesat Fisher,Curt oddswithCitypolicies

144 75 145 75 146 75 L LandUse Buildalternatives encourage developmentthatis atoddswithCity policies Fisher,Curt NeighborhoodLivability(19):Theelevatedroadwayswilldepressrealestatevalueseverywherethatisinsightoftheproject.Itwillforeverdestroyourmostvaluableassetourwaterfront.ItwilldestroySalem'salreadyfragilerevenuestreams inducemoreblight,andsetthestageforalongtermeconomicdecline.ThePlanstatesthatinfillshallbethefirstpriorityfornewdevelopment.Thisprojectwillsubsidizemoreleapfrogdevelopmentsandsprawl.CommutePatterns:According tothefigurescitiedintheDEIS.81%ofthe10600employeesinWestSalemcrosstherivertogettotheirjobs.Thisindicatethatcongestionatthepeaktravelperiodsarebeingcausedbyapproximately8000residentsorapproximately6.6%of thetotalpopulation.Itisinconceivablethatweshouldbeconsideringaprojectthatcostssomuchandbenefitssofew.Salemenoughunproductivelandcoveredwithunneededparkinglotsthatcouldbedevelopedintohealthy,smartgrowth neighborhoodsthatwouldbeconsistentwithSalem'splanninggoals.Celebration,Floridawasbuiltwithaninitialinfrastructureinvestmentof$100millionandattractedprivatesectorinvestmentof$2.5billion.Celebrationwouldtakeupno morespacethananynumberofSalem'sunderdeveloped,autoorientedlots:Montpelier,VThousesapopulationof7000(similartothenumberofWestSalemcommuters)aswellasalltheVermontstategovernmentfacilities,withasimilar footprint:TheseexampleshowthatSalemcanaccommodatenewgrowthinaresponsiblewaythatgeneratehealthyeconomicactivityandrevenueThisprojectwillcreatemillionsineconomiclosses,revenuelosses,andimposehighertaxesand feesonSalemresidents.Salem'strafficproblemsareadirectresultofirresponsiblelandusedecisionsandafailuretoexecuteitsplanninggoals.MarketresearchfromtheNationalAssociationofRealtors,theInternationalHomebuilder Association,theFrontierGroup,andtheDemandInstituteallshowthat2151Centuryconsumerwanttolivecloser,walkmoreanddriveless.Thisprojectisincompatiblewiththesemarketconditions. K Traffic Safety Fisher,Curt TransportationSafety(14):TheintersectionsofCommercialandMarionStreetsandLibertyandCenterstreetsaretwoofthemostdangerousintersectionsinSalem.FHWArecommendsstreetsoperatingwithtrafficvolumesbetween15,000 and20,000ADTbeevaluatedforlanereductiontoimprovesafety.Thesestreetsfitthiscriteria. J Traffic Buildalternativesat Fisher,Curt oddswithCitypolicies DecreasedRelianceontheSOV(11):TheprojectwillgreatlyexpandtheuseoftheSOVandincreasedependenceontheSOVasthedominanttravelmodes.TheCityofSalemshoulddemonstrategreatercommitmenttomultimodal transportationbeforetheyareallowedtosubsidizemoreSOVtrips.SystemEfficiency:(12,13):TheCityofSalemneedstoaddresstheunsafeconnectionstotheUnionSt.Bridgebeforeaddingmorevehiclecapacity.

147 75 M Traffic Buildalternativesat Fisher,Curt oddswithCitypolicies AlternateModes:Thissectionfalselyassertsthatbikeped.facilitieswillnotimprovewiththeNoBuildoption.TheCityofSalemisupdatingtheTSPtoimproveconnectivitytotheexistingbridges.Varioustransportationpoliciesrequirethese improvementstobeimplementedandtheresultsevaluatedforeffectivenessbeforeadditionalvehicularcapacitycanbeadded.Salemhasfailedtoachieveitsmultimodalobjectiveandremainsacardependantcity:ThisprojectwillmakeSalem moreautodependant.

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B SubID# N

C Category Socioeconomics

D Subcategory Economicimpacts

E Name Fisher,Curt

F Comment EnvironmentalJustice:Increasedautodependencywillhaveadisproportionateeffectonlowerincomepopulations.AccordingtoAAAtheannualcosttoownandoperateacarisover$8000peryear.Theprojectwillinducemoreautooriented developmentpatternswhichwillleavefeweroptionsforlowerincomeresidentstoavoidthesecosts.AutoorienteddevelopmentinducedbytheprojectwillmeanthecostsofcarownershipwillcontinuetotaxtheincomeofSalemresidents, draintheirdiscretionarypurchasingpowerandcrippleoureconomy.AccordingAAA,crashescosttheaveragedrivermorethan$1000peryearinexternalizedcosts.Adding40,00080,000moreADTthroughthecitywillinducemorecrashesand causethesecoststorise.Lowerincomeresidentsarelesslikelytoowncarswithmodernsafetyfeaturessotheywillbeatgreaterriskforinjuryordeathcausedbytheworseningsafetyconditionsassociatedwiththisproject.

149 75 150 75 P Cost/Funding Buildalternativesnot Fisher,Curt financiallyfeasible Thebuildoptionswillincreasedemandforemergencyservicesduetotheincreaseincrashesandtheinjuriesanddeathsresultingfromthem.Conclusion:Thisprojectisaperfectlyengineeredweaponofmassdestructionaimeddirectlyatour cityduringatimewhenitismostfragile.Ourcityissimplynotresilientenoughtosustaintheeconomiclosses,thedeterioratingsafetyconditions,northepunitiveincreasesintaxesandfeesthatwillberequiredtopayforit.Thisisaneconomic, humanrightsandlivabilitydisasterthatisadirectconsequenceoftheCityofSalem'sfailuretofollowitsownplansandpoliciesontransportationandgrowthmanagement.Thesepolicieswouldberewardedbyanemergingtransportation marketthatisdemandingmoremultimodaloptionsnotmorecardependencyIfSalemwouldsimplyputitseffortintoimplementingitsmultimodalplanninggoals,thisprojectwouldbeunnecessaryandtheframeworkwouldbeinplacefor sustainedeconomicgrowth,longtermprosperityandsheditswellearnedreputationasacardependentEisenhowererabackwater. O Alternative Preference NoBuild Fisher,Curt SocioeconomicAnalysis:Thebuildoptionswoulddisplacebetween10to75businesses.Thesebusinessesemploy160to540people.Theeconomiclossesfromthebuildoptionswillcosttheregionbetween$19.6millionand$80.9millionper yearinlostsalesandrevenue.Thebuildoptionswillshrinktaxrevenuebetween$109,000to$318,000.

151 76 152 77 A Traffic Moreinfoneeded Ford,Lowell IamheretospeakinfavorofAlternative3.Ibelievethatittakescareofthelongtermproblemandtrafficissuesfarbetterthantheotheralternatives,andithastheleastimpactonindividualsandfamilies.Ourfamily,2450WallaceRoadina numberofthealternativesshownwouldsplitourfarmintwo,andsotherewouldbehavetobeoneareaforresidential,orIdon'tknowhowwewouldthengettotheother85acresdownbelow.AndIthinkthatIamveryconcerned, obviously,aboutthat,andhowitimpactsourfamily.IntheplanitshowsMarineDrivegoingrightattherightnearthefloodlevelarea,whichisliterallysplitsourfarmintwo.SoIamquiteconcernedaboutthat,foritsimpactbothonfamily andtheabilitytooperateandincomeforafarm.Andsothat'swhatIamheretotalkabout.MR.BEDNARZ:Haveyoutalkedtothepeopleoutthereabouttheroadthatcomesupandbisectsyourproperty?LOWELLFORD:Ihaveearlier,not today.Ilistenedtothepresentation,sawwherenothinghadchangedonthat.AtonepointintimetheyhadIhadseeninplanningtheroadgoingtoRiverBendRoad,andthengoinguptowherethelightis,andthenbeingdispersedthere.The plansthatIseenowinallcasescontinuetocutourfarminhalf,andgodowntoandcomeinatBrushCollegeRoad.MR.BEDNARZ:Youmightwanttotalktosomebodyouttherewithmoredetail,becausesomeofthoseroadsweremoreofa viaduct,theywereelevated.LOWELLFORD:Theydonotshowitasaviaductinourplace.Theyshowitasafill,orno,theviaductswereinblue,andthefillorregularroadwasingray,andallweregray. A Alternative Preference Alt3 Fleming IamallforimprovingSalem,itismyhomeandmykidsaregrowingintothereownfamiliesandmakingthistherehomealso,butatthistimewithallthecutbacksespeciallytheteachers,wedonotneedtospendmillionsonanotherproject,its timetoberealletsholdbackspendingforacoupleofyearsjustlikeusintheprivatesectors,thespendingsysteminorgovernmentisbrokenletsletitheal

153 78 A Cost/Funding Moreinfoneeded Fortey(WestSalem Neighborhood Association) WestSalemNeighborhoodCommentsonSalemRiverCrossingEnvironmentalImpactStatement(approvedatJune4thMeeting) 1.Inordertoprovideassurancethattheenvironmentalimpactstatementusesthebestavailablescienceinitsdevelopmentandevalua onofalterna ves, weconsideritreasonabletoaskhowrecentslowinginvehiclemilestraveledandthe associatedincreaseinfuelprices,economicslowdown(globally,nationally,statewideandregionally)willaffectpredictionsofcongestion.Further,werequestverificationthatthetraveldemandmodelandsubsequentanalysisofoutputsis sufficientlyrigoroustoallowconsiderationofeconomicandlanduseeffectsontraveldemandincludingtheconsiderationoftheimpactsofinducedtravel(additionaldemandcreatedbyprovidingnewcapacity),apertinentpointgiventhecross sectionalsizeofthebuildalternatives.2.TheBridgeheadengineeringstudypointedoutthatoperationalimprovementsmadetotheendsofthebridgecouldbeexpectedtoyieldsubstantialbenefits.Whilesomeofthoserecommendedactions havebeencompletedthethrustoftheapproachtoevaluatelowcostoperationalimprovementsseemstohavebeenlostinthepresentstudyeventhoughthoseimprovementsseemstooffersubstantialbenefitsanddirectlyaddressthe project'spurposeandneed.WearethusconcernedthatthisEIShasnotevaluatedareasonablerangeofalternatives,asnumerousimprovementstointersectionshaveapparentlynotbeenexplored.Theseotheralternativeswould(especially giventhatnotallcongestionthresholdsaremetinbuildoptions)ensureconsistencyoftreatmentstoaddressthepurposeandneedand,giventhemassivefootprintofseveralintersections,reducenegativeimpacts.Forexample.nowhereinthe studyareroundaboutsmentionedalthoughtheyhavesignificantsafetybenefits,amarkedpurposeoftheaction.Similarly,gradeseparationsofhighvolumemovements(suchasleftturns)orseparatingthroughmovementsbygradehavenot beenexplored.3.Traveldemandisinsufficientlyspecifiedmakingtheanalysisofalternativetreatmentdifficult.Forexample,withoutananalysisoftriptypesitisnotpossibletodetermineiftripscouldbedeferredtoothertimesofthedayor howotheralternativescouldaddresstrippatterns.Bytreatingalltravelasoneuniformtypeafullrangeofalternativeshasnotbeenstudied.

154 78 B Traffic Moreinfoneeded Fortey(WestSalem Neighborhood Association)

4.Theremovalofthediscussionoftollsassimplyameansoffinancebeliesitsimpactinalternativedevelopmentandanalysisofimpacts.Forexample,timeofdaypricingmaybeaneffectivemeansofshiftingtravelandreducingthesizeof intersections.Pricingbycordon,distance,mode,orothermeanscouldaffectdemandandtheconsequentsizeofalternativesyethasnotapparentlybeenexplored.Similarlythemeansoftollingandthedistributionoftollrevenuescouldalso impactalternativedevelopment;forexample,weretollrevenuesdevotedtotransitwithinthecorridortheremaybelargemodalshiftspossible.Weconsideritnecessarytoevaluatewaysoftollingandtollingrevenuedistributionasalternatives thataffectthetraveldemandoftheproject. 5.Whilesafetyisidentifiedasaprimaryreasonfortheprojectthesafetyanalysisisallqualitativeandthusdoesnotusebestavailablescience.Itishardtodiscernthedifferencesamongthealternativesonsafetyperformance.Thenegative consequencesseemmostpronouncedattheintersectionsyetevenwiththelargeincreaseinfootprintsandvolumesthereislittleanalysisofdifferences;moreover,wecontinuetomaintainthatalternativeintersectionformsneedtobe analyzedasreasonablealternativestoreducethephysicalfootprint,aidcrossingsforpedestriansandbicyclists,improvelevelofservice,andimprovesafety.

155 78 C Traffic Moreinfoneeded Fortey(WestSalem Neighborhood Association)

156 78 D Traffic Moreinfoneeded Fortey(WestSalem Neighborhood Association) 6.ItisnotcleartowhatextentanaggressiveTransportationSystemManagement/TransportationDemandManagementalternativewasevaluated.Forexample,thepresenceofalargeStateworkforceofferstheopportunitytoexplore whetherstaggeredstartandstoptimesandparkingstrategiesmightmateriallyaffectcongestionlevels.ActivetravelmanagementtoproviderealtimespeedmanagementmayimproveflowandsafetyonHighway22andimprovedsignal equipmentandcoordinationandtheusepredictivetrafficflowmodelingalongWallaceRoadmayfurtherimprovepeakhourflows.Again,thesemaynotbesufficientalonebutmayactinconcertwithotheralternativestoreducethesizeand thusphysicalimpactofbuildalternativesandneedtobeexploredinthedocument. 7.Thevisualimpactsarenotsufficientlyrenderedtoallowthefullunderstandingofthetotalityoftheimpactsofthesize,context,andscaleofthephysicalfeatureagainsttheexistingbuiltandnaturallandscapes.Thevisualimpactsshouldbe moreprominentlydiscussedinlightofStatewidePlanningGoal15fortheWillametteRiverGreenwaycallingforthepreservationofscenicresourcesandtheEdgewaterplanwhichcallsforthedevelopmentofapedestrianorienteddistrict(asa pointedexample,Figure3.86misstatesthelocationanddoesnotsufficientlyidentifythelinearimpactoftheelevatedstructureoftheremainderofthedistrict). 8.Bicycleandpedestrianimpactsareinsufficientlydescribedtoallowananalysisofimpactsandpotentialmitigations.Thetextconcentratesontheprovisiononthebridgeitselfbutminimizestheimportanceoftheconnectionstotherestofthe network,i.e.howwouldbicyclistsandpedestrianscrosstheintersections(distance,conflicts,presenceofmedians,etc)andmakeitsafelytokeyoriginsanddestinations.

157 78 E Visual Moreinfoneeded Fortey(WestSalem Neighborhood Association)

158 78 F Traffic Morebike/ped analysisneeded Fortey(WestSalem Neighborhood Association)

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D Subcategory Residentialimpacts

E Name Fortey(WestSalem Neighborhood Association)

F Comment 9.ImpactstoPioneerVillagerangefroma10%to20%lossofunits,whichweconsidersubstantive;furthertheanalysisminimizesthedifficultyoffindingcomparablehousinggiventhedemandsinSalemforlowcosthousingandtheimportant lossofconnectivityresidentswouldfeelinbeingmovedoutfromthePioneerVillagecommunity.10.WeareconcernedthattheimpacttotheShekinaFellowshipIglesiacouldbeconsideredalargeanddisproportionateimpact.Indeedthe documentmakesaconvincingcaseforitsimportancetothecommunityandthesignificantconsequencetocommunitycohesionshouldthebuildingbephysicallyremoved;however,theconclusionthattheimpactisnotsignificantdoesnot appearsupported.Thisdeservesfurtheranalysisconsideringtheimpacttothecommunity,thegreatdifficultyinrecreatingareplacement,andtheapparentdisproportionateimpactresulting. 11.Thedocumentshouldpresentacosteffectivenessanalysis.Despitesignificantcosts,intersectionlevelofserviceforseveralalternativesisonlymarginallyimprovedandinseveralcasesworsethaninthenobuildcase.Thephysicallocation ofthenewcrossingsmayreducesometraveltimesbutthecostfortheseimprovementsseemsexcessiveforthebenefitsreceivedandthepoorperformanceatmanyoftheintersectionspoints,again,totheneedtoevaluatealternative intersectiondesignandoperations. IamJohnGear,IhaveanofficeinSalemintheSecurityBuildingonHighStreet.AndI'minterestedinIhavebeeninterestedinthisprojectsinceImovedtoSaleminJanuary2007.Myfundamentalcommentisthatthisisjustaterribly misguidedidea,becauseitisbasedontravelandtripandloadassumptionsaboutthefuturethatarenolongervalid.Thefutureisnotgoingtobelikethepastintermsofhowpeoplegetaround,howmuchpeoplegetaround.Weknowweare reachingresourceandeconomiclimits,andthatmodelthatdoesn'tevenrecognizethatgaspricesarecurrently$4agallon,andinthenextfewyearswillperpetuallyratchetup.Althoughgaspriceswillfluctuatewiththeeconomicvolatility causedbytherecessions,causedbyincreasingenergyprices,weknowthefundamentalfactiswe'reoutofcheapenergy.Energyisgoingtogetcontinuallymoreexpensive,notless,andthatisgoingtohaveasignificantimpactonoureconomy, whichisbasedoncheapenergy.Wehavealreadyseentherecessionsthatarecausedbyhighcostenergy.Andusingtripmodelsandmathematicalmodelsthatareembeddedinthatdocumentareallbasedonanassumedcheapenergyfuture thatnolongerisobtainable.Soit'sfundamentallyfoolishinbuildingthisproject,amultihundredmilliondollarprojecttoday,givenwhatwealreadycanseeaboutthefutureisessentiallylikepaintingyourwindshieldblackandhittingthegas andsaying,well,youknow,theroadwasgoingstraightwhenIlastlooked.Iwilljustkeepgoingstraight,andgoasfastasIcan.Theotherthingthatyouallneedtocarryinmindisit'sfundamentallydishonesttopresentassumedcongestion changesforeachmodewithoutpresentingwhatistheoveralltraveltimethatisbeingconsideredonthatbasis.Ifyouaregoingtorepresentthatyourthisoptioncostsus674aggregatehoursofcongestion,andthisoneisonly131hours,you haveanobligationtosayonwhatbaseoftotaltraveltimethatchangeisbeingoffered.Isthatis674hoursanextra1percent,anextra.01percent,anextra.001.Ifyoudon'trepresentthebasewhenyougiveasupposedlycalculatedchange, youarebeingdishonest.Andyouaresteppingintoadvocacyinsteadofrepresentingdata.

160 78 H Cost/Funding Costbenefitanalysis Fortey(WestSalem Neighborhood Association)

161 79 A Traffic Analysisflawed Gear,John

162 80 A Traffic Analysisflawed Gear,John Oneofthethingsthatisnotinthemodelistherealitythatvehiclemilestraveledisalreadydeclining.Thetripdemandmodelsthatunderlayhighwayprojectsalwaysassumethatthefutureisgoingtobelikethepast,andthatwe'regoingtobe equallyasaffluentinthefuture,andthatwe'regoingtobehaveaswehaveinthepast.Butweknowalready,since2005vehiclemilestraveledaredeclining,notincreasing.Andsowealsoalreadyknowthatoureconomyisbeingstaggered,and thatkidstodaydonotgetacarat16,asIdid,andasmypeersdid.Andthatmoreandmorechildrentodayarechoosingnottodrive,nottobotherwithcarownership,orevenobtainingalicensebecausethefutureisnotgoingtobelikethe past.Andsothiseveryassumptioninthereisbasedonthefuturewillbejustlikethepast;wewillallbeabletoaffordcars,wewillbeabletogasthemupasmuchaswewant,andthatwewillhaveaneconomythatrequiresandrewardsallof thisdriving.Anotherfundamentalflawinthatmodelisthatitdoesn'taddressinduceddemand.WhenyoulookattheexperienceofSouthernCalifornia,asthisgentlemanwastalkingabout,whenyoulookattheexperienceofotherplacesI usedtoliveinClarkCountywheretheybuilt205.And205wasgoingtosolveallthecongestionproblemsofPortland,thecrossrivercongestionissues,becausewegofromonebridge,wewouldhavetwobridges.Wewouldn'thaveanymore trafficdelays.Well,now205isaparkinglot,mostofthetime.BecausetheAmericanresponsetosomebodywhobuildsthemfacilitiesto,quote,savetime,istomovefurtheroutandrelyonthatlesstime.Andthat'scalledinduceddemand.And whereveryouhavetriedtobuildyourwayoutofcongestions,allyoudoisrampupcongestiontoanewhigherlevelatamuchhighercost,whileimpoverishingyourcommunity.Thisisacommunitythatdoesn'tevenprovideweekendbus service,andyetwe'retalkingaboutspendinghundredsofmillionsofdollarsonabridgeforonlythemodeonlythemostprivilegedpeoplecanuse.Thatisfundamentallynotonlyacolossalmistake,butit'saninjustice,anditoughttobe stopped.Andthemoneythatisbeingspentonthisaloneisawaste,anditoughttobestopped.

163 81 A HistoricResources Moreinfoneeded Gehlar 1)PotentialimpactontheSalemDowntownStateStCommercialStHistoricdistrictdoesnotappeartobeincludedintheDEIS.ThisdistrictispartiallywithintheAPEandthecoreofthedistrictwouldbeimpactedbychangesintrafficon CommercialandLibertyStsSouthofCenter. TheDowntownHistoricdistrictiscurrentlyimpactedbythesignificantportionoftrafficroutedthrough,oradjacent,toit.Futureplanningshouldplaceapriorityonroutingthroughtraffictominimizeadverseimpactonlocaltrafficandthe pedestriancentriccharacterofthedowntown. 81 B Traffic Moreinfoneeded Gehlar 2)Salemcontinuestoinvestinimprovingbicycleandpedestrianconnectivity.TheDEISrecognizespotentialimpactonthisconnectivity,Iwishtoemphasizetheimportanceofmaintainingthisconnectivityandcontinuingenhancementofiton thecharacteroftheSalemcentralareaandWestSalem. 3)Alternativemodetransportationisincludeseparatelyasanalternativetobuilding.Pleaseconsidertheimportanceofincorporatingfeaturesthatenhancealternativemodefeaturesinthedesignofnewtransportationfacilitiestominimize impactoftransportationgrowthonAPEandadjacentcommunities. 4)Spendinganequivalentamountonalternativetransportationalongwithchangesinpersonaltransportationchoicesovertheplanningperiodmayreduceoreliminatetheneedforinvestmentinthecurrenttransportationparadigm contemplatedintheDEIS.Allowingsomecongestionmayhelpchangebehaviors,especiallyifaccompaniedbyinvestmentinalternatemodetransportation.IsthisconsideredintheDEIS? 165 81 166 82 167 82 B A Alternative Preference Socioeconomics C LandUse Buildalternatives negativelyimpact URAplans NoBuild Residentialimpacts Gehlar 5)Salem'sDowntownStrategicActionPlancallsfordevelopmentfromUnionStreetnorth.TheSalemRFDTURAplansnearterminvestmentinthisarea,connectionstotheareasouthofMarionStreetarecriticaltothesuccessofthisplan.The impactonthisplanneddevelopmentofincreasedtrafficoradditionaltransportationfacilitiesshouldbefullyconsideredintheDEIS. Forthefollowingreasons,IfavoronlytheNoBuildalternative(Alternative1)ofallthealternativesintheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementfortheSalemRiverCrossingproject. EnvironmentalImpacts.Allofthebuildalternativeswillproduceunacceptableimpactsinsomecombination: 1.Communityformandneighborhoodscale,function,andlivabilityelevatedhighways,ramps,wideroadways,dislocatedanddeadendedneighborhoodstreets,andotherconsequencesofbuildingsuchlargescaleroadwaysthroughexisting neighborhoodswillproducebarrierstoconvenientandpleasanttravelwithinneighborhoods,willvisuallydominatesuchneighborhoods,andincreasetrafficnoise. 2.Publichealth,safetyLargerscaleroadwaysandhigherspeedsresultingfromthebuildalternativeswillproducemoretrafficnoiseandmotorvehiclepollution.Iamalsoveryconcernedaboutpedestriansandbicyclistsnotbeingabletosafely traversethebuildalternatives'proposedlargerandmorecomplexintersectionsandincreasednumberofroadlanesthisisaseriousissueandwouldtakeSalembackwardsintermsofprovidingasafeandconvenientnetworkofbikingand walkingfacilities. 3.NaturalenvironmentMostofthebuildalternativesinvolvebuildinganadditionalspanacrosstheWillametteRivertherewillbebothconstructionandlongtermuseimpactstotheriverineenvironmentassociatedwithanadditionalbridge structurethatIdon'tthinkarejustified.

164

Geniesse Geniesse

168 82 C Traffic Buildaltsworsen safetyconditions Geniesse

169 82 170 D NaturalSystems Impactstoriparian areas Geniesse

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A 1 ID# 82 171 82 172 82

B SubID# E

C Category Socioeconomics

D Subcategory Residentialand businessimpacts ImpactstoUnion StreetPedBrunder Alt2B BuildAltsnotcost effectivewayto addressneeds

E Name Geniesse

F Comment 4.Impactstoexistingbusinessesandresidencesallofthebuildalternativeswilltakeoutorcreatephysicalortrafficimpactsforsomenumberofexistingresidencesorbusinessestheseproposedtakesandimpactsarenotjustifiedinterms ofthecostsandbenefitsofthebridge. 5.ImpactstotheUnionStreetBridgeAlternative2BwillhavethenewbridgespanloomovertheUnionStreetBridge,whichthreatensthisnewjewelinSalem'sbicycleandpedestriannetwork.Perhapsthisdoesn'tmeetthelegaldefinitionof physicalimpacttoahistoricstructurebutitdefinitelywillaffectthepeacefulandinspiringexperienceofwalkingorbikingacrossthebridge. NoDemonstratedNeedforaNewBridge.Thestatedpurposeandneedforanadditionalrivercrossingarenotconvincing.Istilldon'tunderstandwhattheproblemsarethatanadditionalspanwouldsolve,otherthanthatcommuteperiod congestionisforecasttoincreaseoverthenext20years.Itismyunderstanding,afterscanningthroughthevoluminousdocuments,thatmostbridgetrafficislocalratherthanthroughintermsoforiginsanddestinationssothereislittleregional scaleneedforanewbridge. Theanalysisthatestablishedtheneed,moreover,isseveralyearsold,doesnottakeintoaccountadecreasedtrendinvehiclemilestraveledandthedemonstrateddecreasedinterestofyoungergenerationsindriving.Itdoesnotconsiderthat anincreaseincongestioncanoftenbecomeanincentiveforpeopletolookforcommutetravelalternatives,suchascarpooling,transit,biking,andwalking.Giventhedemonstratednegativeeffectsofincreasingtrafficoncommunitylivability, publicsafety,andtheenvironment,thereneedstobeamuchstrongerreasontobuildanewbridgethanthatstatedintheEIS. Forafractionofthecostsoftheproposedbridgealternatives,wecouldputareallyfirstclasstransitsysteminplacethatwouldtakecommuterssafelyandconvenientlytotheirjobsandreducebridgecongestion.Ifyoubuildanewbridge,you immediatelytakeawaytheincentiveforpeopletoinvestintransitorusetransit. Withafractionofthecostofthebridge,wecouldinvestinbicyclingandwalkingfacilitiesthatcouldenticepeopletowalkorbikewhoarenotcomfortabledoingsogivenourcurrentfacilities.Instead,thebuildalternativesallresultinhorrifically immenseandcomplexintersectionsandmanylanedroadsthatcreatesafetyandconvenienceproblemsforbicyclistsandwalkers. CostisNotJustifiedbytheNeed.Intermsofcosttobenefits,the$400$700millioncostcannotinanysensebejustified.TheneedappearstobemostlyalocalissueofWestSalemitestravelingtoworkinthemorningandreturninghomein theevening.Whyshouldtheentirecitypayforthisverylimitedissuewhenthereareviablecommutealternativesavailableorthatcanbemadeavailable?Thismoneycouldbebetterusedtobuildatransitsystemandbike/pedestrianfacilities thatwouldservetheentirecommunity. Concernedabout:EffectsonresidentsTheHopetoTyronbridgeoptionistheonlyonethatdestroysasubstantialpercentageofSalem'salreadylimitedriverfrontresidentialproperty.Thatfactissurelyworthsomeconsideration.

Parks/Recreation

Geniesse

Traffic

Geniesse

173 83 174 84 A Socioeconomics Residentialimpacts Goesch,George A Socioeconomics Residentialimpacts Goesch,George

IsthereacompellingreasontogiveTyronAvenuepreferenceoverPineStreetforthenewBridgelocation?Ifthereissuchareason,builtitthereandforgetthehearings.Ifsuchacompellingreasondoesnotexist,then:WhybuildatTyronand ruinsomuchofSalem'sverylimitedriverfrontresidentialproperty?WhypassupacresofbarelandaroundPine,ANDeasierrelocationfordisplacedownerstolotsaroundtownnotterriblydissimilartotheonestheylose?And,lookingoutfor myownpersonalinterests,wheredoyousupposeImightrebuildmy2741FrontSt.riverfronthome?PS:Lookingatyourphotos,itappearstheproject'sfootprintontheeastsidemightbemuchlongerandmoreintrusivefortheHopetoTyron thanHopetoPine. Ihavespecificconcernsabouttheeffectsofresidents,businesses,andvisitors.ThereisnoinfrastructureontheWestside(gasstations,etc.)tohandlethetrafficoftheParkwayexitingthere. Effectsontrafficconditions:TheproposedbridgelocationcomesnoclosertojoiningHWY22EastandWest. Salem/Keizerwillonlycontinuetogrow,soanewbridgewillbeneeded.Ofthenewbridgeoptions,4Arequirestheleastamountofland,isleastexpensive,impactsthefewestbusinesses.Residents,andstillprovidesthesameamountoftraffic reliefastheotheroptions.ontopofthat,itallowsforfuturedevelopmentifneeded.FromtheinformationIhaveseenitisthebestoptionfromjustaboutanyangle.Ihavenotheardanythingaboutapossiblestartdate:ayear?5years? longer? OnJune7,2012,theGrantNeighborhoodAssociationmetanddiscussedtheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS)fortheSalemRiverCrossingProject.Aftermuchdiscussionandareviewofthepurposedalternativesaspresentedinthe DraftEIS,theneighborhoodassociationconcludedthatthereisanabsenceofaclearobjectivefortheprojectandmultiple,negativesocialpolitical,economic,andenvironmentalimpactstoSalem'sneighborhoodsassociatedwiththeproposed alternatives.Therefore,theGrantNeighborhoodAssociationofficiallyvotedinfavorofthenobuildalternative (Alternative1). Unfortunately,theSalemRiverCrossingProjectlacksacleardirectionandobjective,withtheproposedalternativesrangingwidelyinsize,scale,andprice.Whilesomeofthealternativesfocuson makingtravelforthosealreadyonHwy22faster(e.g.commuters),otheralternativesfocusonmakingtheconnectionbetweenInterstate5andHwy22westboundfaster(e.g.commercialdriversandvisitors).Thisleavesuswonderingwhat exactlyisthegoaloftheproject?WhileweknowtheprojectintendstocrosstheWillametteRiversomewherewithinSalem,wedonotunderstandtheintendeduseofthecrossing.Therefore,untilaclear,substantiatedobjectiveforthisproject isdefined,weareobligatedtosupportthenobuildalternative.

175 85 176 85 177 86 A Alternative Preference B Traffic A Socioeconomics Residentialand businessimpacts Buildalternatives don'taddressneeds Alt4A Graff,Thom Graff,Thom Granberg,Erik

178 87 A Alternative Preference NoBuild(because PurposeandNeed unclear) GrantNeighborhood Association

179 87 B Socioeconomics Residentialand buisnessimpactsin NorthSalem GrantNeighborhood Association

Wealsostronglyopposeallthealternatives(exceptAlternative1)duetotheirunacceptableimpactstoSalem'sneighborhoods.Specifically,ifanyofthealternativesarebuilt,theimpactstothequalityoflifeintheCentralArea(downtown), HighlandandWestSalemneighborhoodswouldbedevastating.For example,underAlternatives2a,2b,4c,4d,and4emuchoftheeastsideofEdgewaterStreetNW,athriving,historiccommercialcenterinWestSalem,wouldbedemolished.Likewise,underAlternatives3,4a,4b,4c,4d,and4e,significant numbersofresidentialandcommercialbuildingsinHighlandandWestSalemwouldbedemolished.Theresultofthesealternativeswouldbeunsightly,elevated,noisyroadwaysthroughhistoric,singlefamilyneighborhoodsandcommercial centers,thedisplacementoflowersocioeconomicresidents,andnegativeenvironmentalimpactsonbothMarionSquareParkandWallaceMarinePark.Wealsostronglyobjecttoanypassthroughefficienciesproposedattheexpenseofthe economyofdowntownSalem.Thedowntownofanycityshouldbetheheartofthatcity.Fortunately,downtown Salemhasexperiencedarevitalizationoverthelastdecaderesultinginnewbusinessesandarenewedvibrancy,evenintougheconomictimes.Salemshouldnotadvocatetorushtravelersthroughthedowntownarea;rather,Salemshouldlook forwaystogettravelerstostopandenjoythedowntown beforecontinuingontheirway. Ofcourse,weunderstandthatmanyofthosetravelingthroughdowntowneverydayarecommuters.SincetheDraftEIShasidentifiedthebusiesttraveltimesforcommuterscrossingtheriver,weadvocatethatalternativesotherthanthose alreadyproposedbeexplored.Theseotheralternativesshouldtrulybealternative,suchasworkingwithemployerstostaggerstartandendtimesforworkersandencouragingworkerstocarpool,bus,walkorbiketowork;dedicatingfundsfor masstransit;creatingsafebikepedestrianrightofways;andrelievingtrafficcongestionbyreexaminingthedowntowntrafficgrid,etc.

180 87 C Socioeconomics Residentialand businessimpacts GrantNeighborhood Association

181 87 D Cost/Funding BuildAltsnotcost effectivewayto addressneeds GrantNeighborhood Association Finally,weopposetheproposedalternativesbecausetherearenofundsinplacetofinanceanyconstruction.Becausetheproposedalternativesrangesowidelyinwhateachbuildaimstoaccomplish, thepriceforeachalternativeisconsiderablydifferent.IfSalemcannotaffordtorunbusesonweekends,howcanwesupportanotherrivercrossing?Andifwearefinanciallycapabletosupportanothercrossing,whynotusethosefundsto supportandimproveourcurrentinfrastructure,investinalternativetransportationandraisethequalityoflifeforourresidents?

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A 1 ID# 87

B SubID# E

C Category Alternative Preference

D Subcategory NoBuild

E Name GrantNeighborhood Association

F Comment InlightoftheDraftEISfortheSalemRiverCrossingProject,theGrantNeighborhoodAssociationstronglysupportsthenobuildalternative.Insteadofbuildinganothercrossing,weinsteadurgethetaskforcetoadvocateforaclearandprudent alternativethattrulymeetstheneedsofSalem'sresidents,businesses,andvisitorsnowandinthefuture. Sincerely, SamSkillern CoChair EricBradfield CoChair

183 88 184 89 A Socioeconomics Residentialand businessimpactsin WestSalem Hatton,Daniel A Alternative Preference Alt3 Grieson,Gary

Concernedabout:effectsonthelocalandregionaleconomy;effectsontrafficconditions.Other:Ivoteafter#3.Afterallthishasbeengoingsince1964orbefore.ItstimetospendsomehereinSalem,ORinsteadofinPortland.

185 90 A Alternative Preference Alt2A Hatton,Daniel

MypropertyisonthenorthwestcornerofHopeandMarine.It'sthefirstpropertythere.AndIhavetwocommentsthatIamnotsure,butIwastoldthatthisplanwasdesignedbeforethesubdivisionwasputin,eventhesehousesarenot shownthatarebuilthere.Andthatpossiblyyoucouldgofromtheexit,directlytothisMarineDrivewherethere'snohousesimpacted,andthentoOrchardHeights,thesamething.Youcouldbypassthiswholeneighborhoodbyjustgoing directlyfromthebridgetoOrchardHeights,anddirectlyfromthebridgetothisMarineDrive.AndthatoneoftheengineerssaidtherewasthatIdon'treallyknowwhyhecouldn'torsomethingtodealwithhowyouarecomingoffthis bridge,butIdon'tknow.IsitpossibletogofromthebridgetoMarineDrive,andthentoOrchardHeightsandbypassthiswholelittledivision.EliminatetheHopeAvenueandgoaroundittowhereit'semptyland.Thisisallhousesouthere,and thisisamobilehomeparkthere.Andthere'squiteafewpeoplethatwouldbeaffected,buthereIdon'tevenknowiftheyaregrowinganyag,butthere'snothingthere.Andthere'snothingdirectlyfromOrchardHeightstothebridgethere, also. Andtheothersuggestionissomeonesaidthebridgesalreadythere,andmaybeandthateventuallytheywouldbeexpanded,evenifthiswholeprojectwasdone,thebridge,thiswholeplanthat20yearsorwhatever.Somysuggestionwas, well,whynotexpandthebridgesthatarealreadythere,andseeifthattakesuptheloadthatishappening,seehowthataffectsit.Becausethenifit'snot,ifitdoesn'twork,thengoaheadtothelargerscaleplan.Butmaybeitmightbeenough tohandlethetraffic,andthenitwouldsavequiteabitofmoney.Andtherewasoneotherwell,Iwillstopmytime.SoIcanthinkabouttheotherthings.Letmethinkaboutthis.

186 90 B Socioeconomics Residentialimpactsin Hatton,Daniel WestSalem There'soneotherthing.Oh,Iknow.Theotherproblemiswithmyhousebeingthere,oncethisisapproved,ifit'sapproved,thisonechoice,Ican'tsellmyhousebecausewhoisgoingtowanttobuyahousewithasevenlaneinterchangeoran intersectionwherethehouseisnow?.AndIsaid,well,ifit'sapproved,ifyouaregoingtobuymyhouse,thenbuyit.Andhesaid,well,wedon'thavethemoneytodothat,butIwouldliketosee,well,ifit'sbeenapprovedbecausewhenI boughtmyhouse,therewasjustthethoughtofMarineAvenuewasatwolaneroad.Andtheagentsaidsomethinglike,it'sjustsomesideroadthattheyhavebeentryingtodevelopforever,buthedidn'ttellmeanythingaboutabridgeor anythingelse.Butcertainlyifthisisapproved,Iwouldhavetodisclosethesizeofthisproject,thescopeofthisprojecttoanyprospectivebuyer,whichwould,youknow,turnawayalotofpotentialbuyers.Soifthere'sanypossibilitythatifit's approvedtodothis,thatyouknow,let'sgoaheadandbuymyhouse,then.BecauseotherwiseIwouldbestuckthere.Thisoptioncostsus674aggregatehoursofcongestion,andthisoneisonly131hours,youhaveanobligationtosayonwhat baseoftotaltraveltimethatchangeisbeingoffered.Isthatis674hoursanextra1percent,anextra.01percent,anextra.001.Ifyoudon'trepresentthebasewhenyougiveasupposedlycalculatedchange,youarebeingdishonest.Andyou aresteppingintoadvocacyinsteadofrepresentingdata.

187 91 A Alternative Preference Alt2A Hatton,Daniel Iwaslisteningtothisgentleman'scomments,andIwasgoingtosaysomethinginthatregard,aswell.Iagreewithhim100percentabouttheprojectedmodels,andwhoknows,andwhatit'sbasedon,andspendingnotjusthundredsofmillions; $1billion,itcouldbe,andwithcostoverruns,itcouldbe$2billion.Andmycommentis,whattraffic?Fiveminutesonthebridge?IamfromSouthernCalifornia,andIknowit'sanunfaircomparison,becausethat'sawholeotherworld,butyou couldsitthereanhourandgofivefeet.SothetrafficIhaveseenhere,youcandriveacrossthewholetownin15minutes.Idon'tthinkit'sthatbigadealtogoplan4A,B,andCisgoingtocompletelydevastateSalem.It'sjustahugeproject thatisgoingtoripoutsomuchland,affectsomanypeople,andIdon'tbelievethatthere'sthatmuchtraffic.Ithinkitcouldbeconsideredagain,really,notjustsomemathematicalprojectionslikethegentlemansaid,butrealisticallytrytogeta realassessmentofwhattheproblemis,whatcouldbesolved,andreallythemostpracticalmeans,andatthebestcost.

188 92 A Socioeconomics Residentialimpactsin Hatton,Daniel WestSalem Myfirstcommentisontheplan,the4A,B,C,andDwherecomingoffthebridgeitwillleadtotheHopeStreetexpansion,theHopeAvenueexpansionthatwillcomefromWallaceRoadthatwillcontinuetotheintersectionofHopeandMarine, thereisgoingtobeasevenlaneintersection,andthewholesubdivisionwasnottherewhentheseplanswereoriginallybeingthoughtofsixyearsago.Thesubdivisionisonlythreeyearsold,oralittlethreeorfouryearsold.Andmycomment isthatcomingoffthebridge,youcangotothenorthandconnecttoWallaceRoadoneway,andthenyoucangotothesouthtoconnecttoOrchardHeights,completelybypassingRiverValleySubdivisionandsavinganentireneighborhood,as wellasthemobilehomeparknextto,thatwouldbesouthofthenewHopeextensionstreet.CurrentlyHopeStreetisgoingtogorightintotheRiverValleyneighborhood,andbybypassingit,goingnorthandsouth,connectingdirectlyto OrchardHeightsanddirectlytoRiverRoad,whichconnectstoWallace,youavoidcompletelytheneighborhood.Yousparetheentireneighborhood,andyoucanbypassitthatway,whichIspoketotheengineeroftheproject,EdChamberland, andhestatedthatthatcouldbedone,thatthatispossibletodoitthatway.Sothatisonesuggestion.

189 92 B Alternative Preference Alt2A Hatton,Daniel Thesecondsuggestionisthecurrentbridgesthatarealreadyinexistence,theproposalwastoexpandthemeithernoworatalaterdate,alongwithexpandingthebridge.Oneoftheproposalswouldexpandboththecurrentbridgesandputa newbridgecrossingtheWillametteRiver.Mysuggestionistojustnowexpandthebridges,andseehowthatwhatimpactthathas,toseeifthatsolvestheproblemandmaybenothingfurtherisneeded;andifitis,thengoaheadwiththe largerproject,butthiswouldsavehundredsofmillionsofdollarsbyexpandingthecurrentbridges,whicheventuallyatsomepointwillhavetobeexpandedregardlessofwhatnewbridgesareputin.Sothatisthesecondproposal,toexpand thecurrentbridgestoseehowthatwillcarrytheload,ifthatwillresolvetheproblem,astheywouldalreadyhavetobeexpandedatafuturedateanyway.Andifitdoesn'twork,thengoaheadandbuildanewbridge.

190 93 A Socioeconomics Businessimpacts Hatton,Daniel Thecurrent,withalotoftodaywehearabout2,300jobsbeinglost,theTruittBrothersCanneryjustannouncedthattheyareclosingalotofthebusiness,andhundredsofpeoplewillnotbetravelingtoWestSalem.Ifcurrenttrendscontinue withlossofjobsandbusinesses,theremaynotneedtobeanyexpansionatall.Andbeforespendingalmostabilliondollarstodothis,possiblytakeasmallermeasurethatwouldbeinthe100,200millionrange.I'mnotatallaccuratewiththat number.I'mjustoffthetopofmyhead,Idon'tknow,butIknowit'smuchless. MythirdcommentisthatmypropertyisonthenorthwestcornerofwhatwouldbeHopeexpansionandMarineAvenue.Thisiswhere,ifmostoftheplansareapproved,allthe4A,B,C,andDplans,theywouldhavetobuymyproperty.The intersection,thesevenlaneintersectionatHopeatMarinewouldbeonmyproperty,aseastofthatisfloodplain,andtheydon'twanttousethat.Sothatbeingthecase,theonceit'sapproved,Iwouldnotbeabletosellmyproperty.Iwould havetodisclosethatthereisgoingtobeasevenlaneintersectionontopofthehouse,wheretherightofwaypeoplesaid,"Well,wecan'tstartbuyingyourpropertyuntilwehavefinancing."Sothatwouldleavemeprettymuchatacomplete loss,ifyoucan'tbuytheproperty,yetit'sbeenapproved,soIcan'tsellitbecausenoonewantstobuysomethingthat'sgoingtobetorndownanydaytheapprovalcomes.AndIwouldliketoaskthatifitisapprovedtodothat,thattherebe somewaytogoaheadandbuymypropertysothatI'mnotatacompleteloss.Andletmesay,firstofall,themainissueofthisistraffic.

191 93 B Socioeconomics Residentialimpactsin Hatton,Daniel WestSalem

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A 1 ID# 94

B SubID# A

C Category Cost/Funding

D E Subcategory Name Buildalternativesare Hatton,Daniel notcosteffective

F Comment Dowereallyneedtospendabilliondollars,andcostoverrunscouldbe$2billion,ontraffic,whichhonestlyIdon'tseeanytraffic.Peoplearewaitingfiveminutes,and,youknow,theyareupset,andyouwanttodothiswholeproject.Ireally thinktheyshouldbereevaluatedastowhetherthereisanysignificanttrafficatall,andasfarastheprojectednumbers,youknow,whereareyougettingtheseestimatesandcalculationsoffuturepredictionswhereinrealitypeoplearemaybe evendrivingless,jobsarebeinglost,peoplearecommutingless,whereyoudon'treallyneedanyexpansionoranymassproject.Thebiggestprojectthatyouwanttodothat's$800millionreallyisjustprojectingincrediblenumbersforit'sjust notnecessaryinmyopinionthatyouneedtodothis.Youmightbuildthatandtheremightnotbeanybodyonthere,orontheotherhand,youmightbuildthisandpeoplearegoingtocomebecauseyouarebuildingit,sojustreconsiderthe wholeideaoftoomuchtraffic,whetherthisisjustafairthingornot. MynameisC.T.Holman,ClarenceT.Holman,III.IlivenexttoRiverRoadPark,justsouthofthepark,andI'magainsttheproposedbridgejoiningTryonStreettoWestSalem.Thiswillhaveamajorimpactonmyfamily'slife.Weenjoythepeace andserenityofourproperty,andfeelthiswillbeseverelycompromisedbytheproposedbridge.Theproposedbridgewillnotonlyimpactourquietexistence,butthewildlifethatcurrentlyenjoytheareaaswell.Thenoiseandairpollutionis significant,andwillbedetrimentaltowhatmyfamilyIandthewildlifecurrentlyenjoy.Weareabletoobservegeeseandtheirgoslings,beavers,nestingosprey,anddeerdrinkingfromthebanksoftheWillamette,andfeelthiswillbedrastically changedwiththebuildingandtheuseoftheproposedbridge.Theproposedbridgewillalsostronglydecreaseourpropertyvalue.Iagreethatthetrafficcongestionproblemneedstobeaddressed,andI'minfavorofwideningtheexisting bridge.Thisoptionisnotonlyinanareathathousesabridge,butisalsofarlessexpensive.

193 95 A Socioeconomics Residentialimpactsin Holman,Clarence NorthSalem

194 96 195 97 A Socioeconomics Residentialimpacts Holman,CT Weareopposedtoanybridgebeingbuiltforenvironmental,economicandqualityoflifereasons.Ifanybridgewasbuilt,otherthanenlargingtheexistingbridge,itwouldbedevastatingtoourqualityoflifeandsignificantlylowerourproperty value.Wepurchasedthishomein2004fortheserenityandconnectionwithnaturethatithas.Weenjoyosprey,beaver,fish,eagles,deer,raccoons,ducks,fishandamyriadofbirdsonadailybasisaswellasthenaturalsongsandsoundsthat thesecreaturesmakebecauseofhowquietandpeacefulourhomeandpropertyare.Notonlywoulditbeharmfultotheenvironmentandthecreaturesthatinhabitthisareaandcallithome,itwouldcompletelyalterourenvironmentaswell inanegativeway.Ahugesprawlingbridgewouldbringnoiseandpollutionthatwouldbedetrimentaltoourhealthandpeacefulwayofliving.WefrequentlyvisitWestSalemasLisa'sparentslivethereandsowehaveexperiencedfirsthandthe differentlevelsoftrafficthattakeplaceacrossthebridgeandalongWallaceRoad.Ifwecouldfinanciallysupportit,theonlyoptionthatwefeelmakesanysenseistowidentheexistingbridge.Thefinancialimpactthatanyoftheseprojects wouldissimplytoocostlyaswell. Specificconcerns:effectsonresidents,businessesandvisitors;effectsonpublichealthandsafety/neighborhoodlivability;effectsonthelocalandregionaleconomy;effectsontrafficconditions,; effectsonthenaturalenvironment;effectsonwildlife. IsubmitthesecommentssolelyinmyroleasaprivatecitizenandresidentofWestSalem.IamcommentingonlyonthedraftEnvironmentalimpactStatement,andnotdiscussingfinancingorotherconsiderations.IbelievethatthedraftEISfor theSalemRiverCrossingfundamentallyignoresan environmentalimpactthatwill,overtime,becomeparamountoveranyotherenvironmentalconsideration.RoutingthruwaytothecasinoandcoastthroughSalemwillcreatewhatsomepeoplecallanattractivenuisancethatwili,wereitto becomewidelyused,createfargreaternoiseandairpollution,andgreatertrafficvolumesthatwouldberunning24/7/365includingduringeveningandnighttimehours..Itappearstomethatifyoubuildit,theywillcome."They,inthiscase, isthetrafficfromthesouthernandeasternportionsofthePortlandmetropolitanareathatnowroutesviaHighway18and22tothecasinoandcoast.Inthepast,therehavebeenmanycomplaintsfrommotoristsItakingthatroute,which resultedinseveralproposalstobuildabypassroadnearDundee.ITheresidentsofthatarea,however,unitedvehementlyagainstanyproposaltodothat,usingtheirconcernsaboutincreasedtrafficthroughput,toilingnotonlythenewbypass roadbutalsothecurrentlyexistingroads.Asaresult,theproposalfortheDundeebypassis,toallintentsandpurposes,deadinthewater.Thesolutionhasturnedoutsimplytobeunacceptable.Ihavespokenwithnotonlyresidentsofthat area,butalsowithcommercialtruckerswhouseitfortheirrunstothecasinoandcoast.Theyareawarethat,iftheSalemRiverCrossingbecomesavailable,muchofthecurrenttrafficgoingdownHighways18/22wiiiinsteadroutethrough Salem,becauseeventhoughitmightbeasomewhatlongerdistance,itwouldtakelesstimeandresultinbetterfuelmileage anrunningthe18/22route.Thispotentialhasalreadybeeninthepublicdomain.lenclosewiththesecommentsa clippingfromtheOregonianofJuly19",2010,inwhichpreciselythatpointismadeclearly.KnowingdriverbehaviorasIdo,IbelieveitwouldnottakelongforthisperceptiontobecomewidelysharedinthePortlandmetropolitanarea,andthe endresultwouldbegreatlyincreasedtraffic,noise,airpollutionandsafetyconcerns,andnorealdecreaseinthevehiclecongestionacrossthecurrentlyexistingtwobridges. A NaturalSystems Wildlifeimpacts Holman,CT Ihavespecicconcernsabouteffectsonthewildlife.

196 98 197 98 198 99 A Traffic Bypasswouldinduce Homuth,Don traffictoSalem B NaturalSystems Wildlifeimpacts Holman,CT A Socioeconomics Residentialimpacts Holman,CT

199 100 200 101 A Alternative Preference Alt4B Horrocks A Noise Increasednoise Homuth,Don ItisacuriousbutwellknownatmosphericcharacteristicofmuchofWestSalemthatroadnoiseseemstocarryupwardintotheresidentialareasnearlyunabated.Therearetimeswheneventherailroadwarninghornsseemasthoughtheyare onlyashortdistanceaway,ratherthanseveralmitesacrosstown.Ihavenoticed,inthe19yearsthatmywifeandIhavelivedhere,thatroadnoisealongHighway22acrossthebridgeandwestwardhasincreasednoticeablyaswell,justfromthe "normal"trafficflow. IhavelivedinWestSalemmyentirelifeandhavealwaysdreadedtheuseofthebridgesduringrushhour. AsataxpayerIwouldthoroughlysupportthebuildingofanewbridgebecauseitbenefitsresidentsofourcityandstatewhoaregoingtoandfromwork.Theseresidentsdeservetohavetheirtaxmoneyusedtoimprovetheinfrastructureina mannerthatwouldactuallybenefitthemeachandeveryday. Baseduponmypersonalexperiences,Ithinkthattheadditionalstreet(MarineDrive)andabridgetowardstheSalemParkway(alternative4bismyfavorite)wouldbethebestmethodtodecreasedrivetimesandcongestionforcommuters.

201 102 A Alternative Preference NoBuild;encourage Howell alternatemodes Ibelievethatthereshouldbemorethoughtaboutpublictransit,parkandride,feedershuttlesandlessaboutexpandingroads/bridgesatahugecost.AnditseemsthatoptionsthatcontinuetodumpthetrafficontoWallaceRoadwillnotease congestion.IfyouhavetoexpandbridgeseitherdosobyaddinglanesorbyaddingabridgefartherdowntheriverthatbypassesthecongestedpartofWallaceRoad.Consideringthelengthof"rushhour"inSalemcomparedtoothercities,I wouldsayitisn'tenoughofaproblemtojustifythecostofmostofthe"remedies.Myfirstchoicewouldbedonothing. Ifsomethingmustbedone,Iwouldsuggestwideningtheexistingbridges,restrictingthenewlanestopublictransitandbicycles.ThenimprovethepublictransitsystemwithparkandridelocationsandexpressbusestoandfromtheCapitolmall areaduringheavytraffictimes.Ifpeoplewanttoreducecongestion,theycan. Weneedmorepublictransportation,acitygovernmentthatsupportspublictransportation,publictransportationthatworks,andmorebikelanes. WedonotneedabiggerordifferentorbetterbridgefromSalemtoWestSalem. IvoteNOBUILD!! 104 A Alternative Preference NoBuild;encourage John alternatemodes Concernedabouteffectsonresidents,businesses,andvisitors:athirdbridgeorwideningoftheexistingoneswillatbestencouragemoretraffictofurthercongestdowntown.Bestoption:nobuild.Effectsonhealth:dittotheabove.More trafficcongestionwillnotimprovehealthsafetyorlivability.Effectsontrafficconditions:dittotheabove.Moreandbiggerroadsleadtoworsetrafficconditions.learnfromthedisasterthatisLosAngeles.Effectsonnaturalenvironment:If youdon'trememberLAinthe1960sand70s,doyourhomework.Other:payattentiontothedatashowingthatpercapitaVMTisfalling.Listentothepeople.Wewantmoreandbetterpublictransitoptionsandbikepaths.Saveusour hundredsofmillionsofhardearneddollars.Donotbuildanotherbridge.Donotexpandthecurrentbridges.Instead,encourage,evenrequire,moreresponsibletransportation.Listentotheresidentialrealestatemarket.Peoplewant walkable,bikeableneighborhoods.letlongdistancecommutersandotherbridgecrosserscarpool,and/orgivethemmorerailandbusoptions.

202 103 A Alternative Preference NoBuild;encourage Hudgens alternatemodes

203

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SALEMRIVERCROSSINGDEISCOMMENTS

A 1 ID# 105 205 105 206 105

B SubID# A

C Category Alternative Preference Purpose&Need Socioeconomics

D Subcategory NoBuild

E Name Kaser Comment Iaminfavorofthenobuildalternative(Alternative1)forseveralreasons.

B C

Purposeandneed unclear Residentialand businessimpacts

Kaser Kaser

Thisprojectdoesnotahaveaclearobjective.Whodoesthebuildintendtoserve?Commuters?ThosepassingthroughSalem?Aclearobjectivemustbeestablished.

ThealternativeswillunnecessarydisplaceresidentsandbusinessesinSalem'sneighborhoods.ManyofthealternativesincludethedemolitionoftheeastsideofEdgewaterStreetNW.ThisisathrivingcommercialareaofSalemaswellas historicallysignificantinWestSalem'shistory.ManyofthealternativesincludethedemolitionofanunacceptablenumberofsinglefamilydwellingsintheHighlandneighborhood.ManybusinessesindowntownSalemwouldalsobedemolished anddisplacedinseveralofthealternatives. ManyofthealternativeswouldmakeareasofSalemundesirabletoliveandworkin.Elevated,noisy,andunsightlyroadwaysploughingthroughneighborhoodswillmaketheseareasofthecityincrediblyundesirabletoliveinorlocate businesseswithin.ThissolutionhashappenedinSalembeforewithconstructionoftheHwy22/MissionSt.flyover,onlyatasmallerscale.Asaresult,thisareaofthecityhasbeencutupanddivided,contributingtothedislocationofresidents andbusinesses.Let'slearnfromourpastandnotmakethesamemistakeagain.

207 105 D Traffic Encouragealternate Kaser modes

Thealternativesdonotincludebikepedestrianoptions.Thealternativesareexclusivelyfocusedonaccommodatingmotorizedvehiclesonly.Thereisdemandcitywideforimprovedbikepedestrianrightofways,whichthealternativesfailto takeintoconsideration.Tonottakeintoconsiderationbikepedestrianoptionsisacompleteoversight.Therearenofundsforthisproject.Ifwedohavefundsorintendtoraisefundsforthisproject,whydon'tweputthesefundstowards improvingtheinfrastructurewealreadyhaveandalsoinimprovingourmasstransit,bikepedestrianoptions,andrevisitingthedowntowntrafficgrid?

208 105 E Alternative Preference NoBuild Kaser Finally,whyisouronlychoiceonwhetherornottobuildabridgeandvariationsthereof?Whendidweasacitydecidethatweneededanotherbridgeacrosstheriver?Eventhoughtheinfamousthirdbridgehasbeeninourplanning documentsforprobablythelast50yearsdoesn'tmeanthatweHAVEtobuildit.Letthisprojectnotbemerelyaselffulfillingprophesybasedonplanningpredictionsmadedecadesago.Instead,let'sexploretrulyotheralternativesthanjust buildinganotherbridge. MycommentsarethatIdon'twanttheCitytobuildsomethingjusttobuildsomething.Iknowthishasbeentalkedaboutfor30yearsormore.IgrewupintheSalemarea,andIhaveheardaboutittalkedaboutforever,andIamabout30.I reallyfailtoseeanyEISthattheyhavearticulatedaneedforthebridge.Thisisespeciallyapparentinalternative4A.Thatalternativeseemstogonowhere.ItseemstoserveanareaofNorthwestSalemtogettotheeastsideofSalem.Itdoesn't provideanykindofmovementfromwideningPineStreetontotheParkway,itjustdeadendsintoaresidentialneighborhood.Ireallyfailtoseehowthisalternativewasevenincludedinthisstudy.Anddon'tthinkitmakesthecaseatall.Ifeel severalofthealternativesarelikethat,there'sjustnotaneedarticulatedforthem. IalsobelievethattheEISdoesnotrecognizetheeconomicimpacttodowntownbusinesses,norbusinessesinNorthSalemverywell,andthatneedstobestudiedfurther.Ialsobelievethereneedstobemorestudyofwherepeopleareactually travelingto,andwhothisbridgewouldactuallyserve.IsitpeoplelivinginSalem,orisitpeoplepassingthrough?Thatneedstobestudiedinmoredetail. Therearealsonotverymanyalternativesthatincorporatebicyclistsandpedestriansintothedesign.Ibelievethere'sonealternativethatincludesthosethings.Asotherpeoplehavestated,thoseareveryimportantaswemoveforward.People arenotjustnecessarilyjumpingintheircarsandusingthatastheirmainmodeoftransportation,buttheyarelookingatwalking,biking,whateverelsehappenstocomealonginthenext50years.Andthoseneedtobetakenintoconsideration.

209 106 A Alternative Preference NoBuild Kaser,Erica

210 106 211 107 A Traffic Encouragealternate Kaser,Erica modes B Traffic Encouragealternate Kaser,Erica modes

212 107 B Alternative Preference NoBuild Kaser,Erica Inall,Ithinktheremightnotbeaneedforathirdbridge,orreallytodoanything.Ithinkwecanlookatsmallerfixeswithintowntosolvesomeproblemsthatwehave.Andtheproblemsneedtobearticulatedbetterthantheyare.It'shardto reallyconceptualizewhattheyaretryingtosayintheEISwhentheyarejusttalkingabout,thisishowlongittakessomebodytogofrompointAtopointB.Theyarenottalkingaboutthequalityofthatexperience.Theyaretalkingaboutstraight numbers,andthat'shardformetoconceptualize,Iguess.AndsohereareacoupleofthingsIthinkwecouldlookatthatIdidn'tseeincludedinthis,withanyofthealternatives:Lookingatsmallfixesatintersections,ratherthanlargeprojects. AndthesewouldbespecificallyCommercialLibertyStreetcouplets,theMarionandCommercialStreets,andtheMarionStreetBridgeandWallaceRoad.Allofthoseseemtobethemainveinwherepeoplearehittingforthealternativestobe built,andthoseshouldbestudiedinmoredetail. Thecommissionshouldmakesuretoincludebicycleandpedestrianplanninginanyofthebridgesitconsiders. ThankyouforprovidinguswithinformationpertainingtotheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementfortheSalemrivercrossingproject.LesSchwabTiresstronglysupportstheCity's,andState's,effortstoeasetrafficcongestionandimprove safetyonthecorridorsaffectedbythisproject.However,wedonotbelieveyouhaveadequatelyconsideredthenegativeimpactsonbusinessthattwoofthealternativeswillhave.Weopposealternatives2Aand4Bbecausethesealternatives gotoofarintheirimpactonlocalbusinesses.EachoftheseproposalsinvolveswideningWallaceRoadtosixlanesatitssouthernendandinstallinganimpassablecentermedian.Thiswouldeliminatetheabilityofcommutersandbusinesspeople tomakealeftturneastontowhatusedtobeMarineDriveandwhichnowservesasanimportantpointofentryfornumerousbusinesses,includingours.WeunderstandthatthereisanotherpointofaccessoffofTaggart,howeverthiswouldbe overa20footwideinternaldrivewaythatwasnotbuiltandisnotmaintainedtohandlethetrafficthatwouldbedivertedthere.Inparticular,thesealternativeswillhaveasignificantnegativeimpactonthebusinessofLesSchwabTires.Mostof ourcustomers,includingalmostallofourcommercialbusiness,makealeftturnintoourstorefromWallaceRoadorturnleftwhenleaving.Theinternalaccessdrivewayisnotconstructedtoawidthormannerthatwillhandlelargercommercial vehiclesandlargermotorhomes.BlockingtheseleftturnsfromorontoWallaceRoadwilllikelyresultinthelossofamajorportionofourbusiness..

213 108 214 109 A Socioeconomics Businessimpacts LesSchwabTireCenter A Traffic Bike/pedplanning Kidd

215 110 A Alternative Preference Alt4D LesSchwabTireCenter WesupportAlternative4Dforseveralreasons.First,wedonotbelievetheDraftEISadequatelyaccountsforthelikelysignificantbenefitstobederivedbybothdowntownandWestSalembusinesses,aswellassomeEastSalemneighborhoods, fromimplementationofAlternative40.ThisalternativeaddsanimportantnewmeansofEastWestconnectivity.AddingthisbridgewillgreatlyreducetrafficcongestionintheimportantdowntownbusinessareaandintheWestSalembusiness district.Thiswilllikelyresultinanincreaseinbusinesstrafficbecausewithlesscongestioncustomerswillbemorelikelytofrequentthearea.Additionally,bydivertingfromthedowntownareamuchofthetrafficthattravelsthroughWestSalem toaccess15,thiswillalleviatetheincreasinglynegativeimpactsthrutrafficishavingonsomeeastsideneighborhoods.Second,theproposedextensionofMarineDrivealongthewaterfrontnorthoftheexistingbridgesiscriticaltothesuccess ofanyplanbecauseitwilleffectivelydivertmostofthethroughtrafficaroundWallaceRoadwithconnectionstobothGlenGreekandOrchardHeights.ThiswillgreatlyimprovetheflowoftrafficinvolvingmanyWestSalemneighborhoodswhich willalsoincreasethesafetyofourroadsystemandforpedestriansinthebusinessdistrict.Third,webelievethisalternativehasthelowestamountofimpacttoeithersideoftheriver,includingthatofAlternative1nobuild.Fourth,webelieve thatiffundingweretoremainanissuethatAlternative4Dcouldbeaccomplishedindiscretephases.Again,wesupportAlternative4Dbecauseofitsabilitytoimproveconnectivityfortheregion,improvetrafficflowintheWestSalemand downtownbusinessdistricts,andbecausewebelieveitwillfacilitatebusinessprosperityinthoseareas.ThankyoufortheopportunitytoprovidecommentsontheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement.Pleasecontinuetokeepmeapprisedof alldevelopmentspertainingtothisproject.

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A 1 ID# 111

B SubID# A

C Category Alternative Preference

D Subcategory Alts3or4A4E

E Name LeVeille

F Comment MyfamilyandIhavebeenlivinginWestSalemsince1992.Ihavealsooperatedmybusiness,CapitolMortgageCompany,frommyresidencefor19+years.So,IamfamiliarwiththetrafficpatternsandproblemsinW.Salem.Inrecentyears,W. Salemhasexperiencedrapidgrowthandexpansionparticularlyintheresidentialarea,butalsointhecommercialareaalongWallaceRoadandEdgewaterRoad.Wallaceroadhashadtobearthebruntoftheincreasedtrafficasaresultofthis expansion.Wenowexperiencebackeduptrafficinthemorningsandevenings,becausemostW.SalemresidentscommutetoandfromthecentralpartsofSalemviatheexistingbridges.TherebuildingofWallaceRoadorHighway221inthe mid90'smadeitawider,safer,divided,moreattractiveandwelllightedroadtotravelonwithgoodtrafficlightcontrols.Ofcourse,theexistingbridges,withtheirrecentimprovements,havegreatlyimprovedtrafficingressandegresstoand fromW.Salem/PolkCountyandCityofSalem/MarionCounty.W.SalemisstillsomewhatisolatedfromtherestofSalem,inspiteofthebridges.Currently,thereisnoalternatepermanentaccesstoandfromthemainpartofthecity,iftraffic acrossthebridgesisblockedforanyreason,suchasanaccident,bridgerepairorsomeonejumpingoffthebridge(thisactuallyhappenedafewyearsago).Further,residentslivingeastoftheWillametteRiver,intheCityofSalem,arenotvery familiarwithWestSalem,andseldomvisitjustforcommercialreasonsorevenrecreationalreasons.CityresidentswhoregularlyusetheexistingbridgesforaccesstothecitiesonthecoastandinPolkCounty,usuallybypassW.Saleminthe process.However,theresidentsofW.SalemwhoregularlyusetheexistingbridgetoaccessdowntownSalemandpointssouth,eastandnorthdosomainlyforworkandshopping,aswellastogainaccesstoI5northtoPortlandandsouthto Eugene.AddinganadditionalstrategicallylocatedbridgeacrosstheWillametteRiver,willgreatlyalleviatethemorningandeveningtrafficcongestionofWallaceRoadandwillshortenthecommutetoI5viatheSalemParkway.Another east/westbridgewillalsoenhancetheW.SalemaccesstoandfromtheeasternandnorthernpartsofSalem,includingKeizer,byreducingthecommutetime.Anewbridgewouldprovideaccessandreducethecommutetimesforresidentsliving northofW.Salem.ItwillservetogreatlyalleviatetrafficonthelowerpartsofWallaceRoad,sincedriverswouldbeabletochoosetouseamoreconvenient,newbridgetogetacrosstheriver.So,whichoftheproposedadditionalbridge locationswillbestservebothW.SalemandtheCityofSalem,nowandinthefuture?

217 Afterstudyingthevariousproposedbridgelocationsandconnectingroads,Ihaveconcludedthatthe"HopeStreet"alternativeisthebestchoiceforbothW.SalemandtheCityofSalem.ThebridgelocationschoicessouthofHopeStreetaretoo closetheexistingbridgestoalleviatetheWallaceRoadtrafficcongestion.TheBrushCollegeRoadlocationtothenorthistoofarfromtheexistingbridgesandislessconvenientformostoftheresidentsofW.Salem,whopredominatelylive southeastoftheBrushCollegeRoadchoice.AccessfortheHopeStreetchoicewouldbegreatlyenhancedbyaddingashortextensionofHopeStreetwesttoOrchardHeightsRoadthroughthenorthpartofOrchardHeightsPark.Thiswould significantlyreducethemorningandeveningtrafficthatoccursatOrchardHeightsRoadandWallaceRoad.ItwouldalsosupplyanalternativewaytogettoW.SalemHighSchoolandthenewStraubMidHighSchool,aswellasthenew elementaryschool.AlloftheseschoolsareaccessiblefromOrchardHeightsRoad.Also,addingtheMarineDriveroadrunningeastofWallaceRoadfromHopeStreettotheexistingbridgeswillgiveresidentsanalternativetousingWallaceRoad. Itwillalsoopenupalarge,relativelyunusedareatoresidentialandcommercialuse.ThisMarineDrivewouldprovideanotheraccesstoWallaceMarinePark,totheriverboatlaunchingarea,totheWalkingbridgeandtotheexistingbridges.By usingMarineDrive,residentscouldenjoyabeautifulriversideviewoftheWillamette,whileavoidingtheslowershoppingroutealongWallaceRoad.TheselectionoftheHopeStreetbridgewillalsoservetoenhanceresidentialandcommercial developmentinthenorthernpartsofW.Salem.AsImentionedbefore,residentslivingnorthofBrushCollegeRoadwillhaveashorterandmoredirectcommutetoSalemParkway,NESalem,KeizerandPortland,withoutcongestingthelower partsofWallaceRoadandtheexistingbridges.OnthereturntripfromPortlandtoW.Salem,byusingtheHopeStreetbridge,thetrafficcomingsouthonCommercialStreettotheexistingbridgescouldbeavoidedandrelieved.UsingtheHope StreetbridgealternativewillalsoenhancecommercialtraffictothenortheastcommercialareasalongHickoryandPineStreets.ItwillalsogivethenortheastresidentsaneasieraccesstoW.Salem,otherPolkCountycitieslikeDallas,Monmouth andIndependence,aswellastothecoast.InturnitwillgivewesternPolkcountyresidentsaneasierwaytogettonortheastSalemandtoI5northbound.ThemodifiedHopeStreetbridgeselectionwouldenhancepublicbustransportationfor thecityofSalemandpublicschools,aswellasprovidebetteraccessforfirefightersandthepolice.ExtendingWallaceMarineDrivenorthwardfromHopeStreetwouldservetoimprovetrafficflowonWallaceRoadandgivethenorthern residentsanadditionalaccesstotheHopeStreetBridge.However,ifthisextensionistooexpensiveatthistime,thenitcouldbeaddedonatalatertime.IhopethisexplanationleadstotheselectionoftheModifiedHopeStreetbridgeoption.

218 112 A Alternative Preference Alts3or4A4E LeVeille,Ken MyfamilyandIhavebeenlivinginWestSalemsince1992.1havealsooperatedmybusiness,CapitolMortgageCompany,homemyresidencefor19+years.So,1amfamiliarwiththetrafficpatternsandproblemsinW.Salem.inrecentyears,W. Salemhasexperiencedrapidgrowthandexpansionparticularlyintheresidentialarea,butalsointhecommercialareas,alongWallaceRoadandEdgewaterRoad.Wallaceroadhashadtobearthebruntontheincreasedtrafficasaresultofthis expansion.Wenowexperiencebackeduptrafficinthemorningsandevenings,becausemostW.SalemresidentscommutetoandhomethecentralpartsofSalemviatheexistingbridges.TherebuildingofWallaceRoadorHighway22l,inthe mid90s,madeitawider,safer,divided,moreattractiveandwelllightedroadtotravelonwithgoodtrafficlightcontrols.Ofcourse,theexistingbridges.withtheirrecentimprovements,havegreatlyimprovedtrafficingressandegresstoand fromW.Salem/PolkCountyandtheCityofSalem/MarionCounty.W.SalemisstillsomewhatisolatedhometherestofSalem,inspiteofthebridges.Currently,thereisnopermanentalternativeaccesstoorfromthecityandifthetrafficacross thebridgesisblockedforanyreason,suchasforanaccidentorforsomeonejumpingoffthebridge(thisactuallyhappenedafewyearsback).Further,residentslivingeastoftheWWillametteRiver,intheCityofSalem,arenotveryfamiliarwith W.Salem,andtheyseldomhavereasontovisithere.TheNE,EandSESalemresidentsdoregularlyusetheexistingbridgesforaccesstothecoastandPolkCounty,buttheyusuallybypassWestSalemintheprocess.TheSalemcityresidents regularlyusetheexistingbridgestoaccessPolkcountycitiesandaswellasthecoast,usuallybypassW.Salemintheprocess.Likewise,theresidentsofW.SalemdoregularlyusetheexistingbridgestoaccessdowntownSalemandpointssouth, eastandnorthforworkandshopping,aswellastogainaccesstoI5NorthtoPortlandandSouthtoEugene.AddingastrategicallylocatedadditionalbridgeacrosstheWillametteRiver,willgreatlyalleviatethemorningandeveningtraffic congestiononWallaceRoadandwillshortenthecommuteto15viatheSalemParkway.Anothereast/westbridgewouldalsoenhancetheW.SalemaccesstoandfromtheeasternandnorthernpartsofSalemincludingKeizerbysubstantially reducingthecommutetime.AnewbridgewillalsoimproveaccessandhelpreducethecommutetimeforresidentslivingnorthofW,Salem.

219 ltwillservetoalleviatetrafficonthelowerpartsofWallaceRoad,sincedriverswouldbeabletochooseamoreconvenientwaynewbridgetogetacrosstheriver.So,whichoftheproposedadditionalbridgelocationswillbestservebothW. SalemandtheCityofSalem,nowandinthefuture?Thisisthebigquestion.Afterstudyingthevariousproposedbridgelocationsandconnectingroads,lhaveconcludedthatthe"HopeStreetAlternative"acrosstheWillametteconnectingto HickoryandPineStreet,witheasyaccesstoSalemParkway,isthebestchoiceforbothWestSalemandtheCityofSalem.ThebridgelocationssouthofHopeStreetaretooclosetotheexistingbridgestoalleviatetheWallaceRoadtraffic congestion. TheBrushCollegeRoadlocationtothenorthistoofarnorthoftheexistingbridgesandislessconvenientformostoftheresidentsofWestSalem,whopredominatelylivesoutheastoftheBrushCollegeRoadchoice.TheHopeStreetaccess wouldbegreatlyenhancedbymodifyingtheexistingHopeStreetbridgeplanbyextendingHopeStreetwestthroughthenorthernpartofOrchardHeightParktoOrchardHeightsRoad.ThisrelativelyshortandeasyextensionofHopeRoadto OrchardHeightswouldgothroughtheunusedportionnoOrchardHeightspark.ThiswouldsignificantlyreducethemorningandeveningtrafficthatoccursatOrchardHeightsandWallaceRoad.Also,lwouldguessthatyourplanforHopeStreet andWallaceRoadwouldincludeatrafficcontrolledintersectionwithatrafficlight.Ifnotitshouldbepartofyourplan.TheHopeStreetchoicewouldalsosupplyanalternativewaytogettoWestSalemHighschool,StraubMidHighSchooland thenewelementaryschoolaccessiblehomeOrchardHeightsRoad.Also,addingtheMarineDriveroadeastofWallaceRoad,connectingHopetotheexistingbridges,willgiveresidentsanalternativetousingWallaceRoadanditwillopenupa large,relativelyunusedareatoresidentialandcommercialdevelopment.ltwillprovideanotheraccesstoWallaceMarinePark,totheRiverboatAccessarea,tothewalkingbridgeandtotheexistingbridges.ByaddingMarineDrive,residents wouldenjoythebeautifulviewalongtheWillametteRiver,whileavoidingtheWallaceStreetshoppingtraffic.TheselectionoftheHopeStreetbridgechoicewillservetoenhanceresidentialandcommercialdevelopmentinthenorthernpartsof W.Salem.AsImentionedearlier,theresidentslivingnorthofBrushCollegeRoadwillhaveashortercommutetoSalemParkway,NESalem,KeizerandtoPortland,withoutcongestingthelowerpartsofWallaceRoadandtheexistingbridges.On thereturntripHomePortland,byusingtheHopeStreetbridge,thetrafficcomingsouthonCommercialStreettotheexistingbridgeswillbeavoidedandreduced.UsingtheHopeStreetbridgealternativewillalsoenhancepotentialtraffictothe northeastcommercialareasalongHickoryandPineStreets.ltwillgivethesenortheastSalemresidentsaquickeraccesstogetWestSalem,otherPolkCountycitieslikeDallas,MonmouthandIndependenceandtothecoast.Itwillalsogivethe residentsofwesternPolkCountyaneasierwaytogettoNESalemandI5northbound.ThemodifiedHopeStreetBridgeselectionwouldenhancepublicbustransportationandpublicschools,aswellasprovidebetteraccessforfirefightersand forthepolice.ExtendingWallaceMarineDrivenorthwardasdescribedinthemodifiedHopeStreetplanwouldalsoenhancenorthwestSalemdevelopment,improvetrafficflowonWallaceroadandprovideanotherconnectingroutetotheHope StreetBridge,However,ifthisextensionistooexpensiveatthistime,itcouldbesavedforlatertime.IhopetheaboverationalesupportstheselectionoftheHopeStreetbridgeoption,whichwillbenefitbothW.SalemandtheCityofSalem.

220

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A 1 ID# 113

B SubID# A

C Category Traffic

D Subcategory Moreinfoneeded

E Name Lindley,Melissa

F Comment IworkinWestSalem,andcommutedailyovertheexistingbridges,whichservemyneedsverywell.I'malsoafrequentuseroftheUnionStreetBridge,andIthinkit'sanincredibleassettoourcommunity.TodayIfounditnothelpfultonothave theexistinghoursofdelayascomparedtothefutureassumedhoursofdelay,inordertocomparewhatareallifeexperiencewouldbetodayversustheprojectedexperienceof20yearsfromnow.Toknowwhetherthatwouldbetolerableor notwouldbereallyusefultohaveourcurrenthoursofdelayincomparisontotheprojected.Iwouldprefertohavenobridgeexpansionatthistime.

222 113 B Alternative Preference NoBuild;second choice:2A Lindley,Melissa Ifthereweretobeabridgeexpansion,Iwouldpreferoption2Atowidentheexistingbridges,althoughinthatexpansion,Idoworryaboutthepedestrianandcyclists'safetyontheexpandedWallaceRoad,whichisalreadyaveryunsafeplaceto crossonfootoronbicycle.I'mextremelyopposedtoalternative2B,whichwouldoccludetheviewfromtheUnionStreetBridgeinwhichweinvestedsomuchofourtimeandmoneyasacommunity,andfeelthatweneedtokeeptheaesthetic valueofthatbridgeandtherecreationalvalueofwhichawideadditionalbridgetothesouthwouldimpedeseverely.I'malsoconcernedaboutalternative3and4Aastotheirimpactonbusinessesandresidences,aswellastheenvironment.

223 114 A Alternative Preference Nonewbridge Lindley,Michael Afterlookingatallofthesuggestions,Iwouldvotethatthecityandstatelookinacompletelydifferentdirectionandforgotheideaofbuildinganewbridge.One,Ithinkatanyexpenseit'stoomuch.Two,Ithinkit'soldstyleofthinking,inthat thefutureoftrafficisgoingtobemoreintermodal,lightrail,railtopointsnorth.Thisjustfurtherfostersdependenceonthecar.Three,ifwedowanttoencouragegrowthinSalem,itseemsmorepracticalthatgrowthwouldbenorthintown, whichisflatland.It'salreadyifSalemwastopositionitselfasabedroomcommunitytoPortlandandtosupportcommuting,thenthatwouldbethelogicalplacetoputit.ContinuedgrowthinWestSalemseemsimpracticalbasedonthe terrain,thecostofinfrastructuretosupportnewhousing,etcetera.Iwouldalsorecommendthatifthere,toalleviatecurrenttraffic,thecityconsiderrunningshuttlesregularlyacrossthebridge,createparkandrideorparkinglocationsaround WallaceMarine,andencouragetheuseoftheUnionStreetBridgeasawayforpeopletocommutetostatejobsandotherplacesdowntown. Ihavespecificconcernsabouttheeffectsofresidents,businesses,andvisitors.Idontseewhythecity/statewouldencouragegrowthW.ofSalemimpracticalforlongterm.Potentiallyruinlivabilityofdowntown.Effectsonpublichealthand safety/neighborhoodlivability:Option3putshighspeedtrafficrightoutsideWallaceMarine.Effectsonthelocalandregionaleconomy:BridgesallowvisitorstobypassdowntownSalem,losstobusinesssector.Isuggestbuildingforthefuture lightrailofrailpointsN.notencouragingmorecartraffic.AlsoencouragedevelopmentN.ofSalemwherelandisflatandmorepracticalforlongtermdevelopment. ItraveltoSalemseveraltimesaweek,including,attimes,theallegedmorningandafternooncongestiontimes.Idonotbelieveitnecessarytospend$300to$700millionforabridgethatwillsave35minutesofdrivetime.Iopposethis project. ThisseemslikeahugeexpensethatwillsaveafewminutespertripforasmallpercentageofSalemitespaidforbyallofusforaverylongtime. IsupportAlternative1NoBuild. Pleasespendpublicmoneyonmasstransitandalternativeformsoftransportation:e.g.walking,bicycling,trolleys. Iwouldalsosupportthecreationofsmallercommunitiesorneighborhoodswherepeoplewalkedtoworkandservicesinordertominimizetheneedforcarsandburningoffossilfuels. HelloonbehalfofMarionCountyFarmBureau,Iwouldliketosubmitthefollowingcomments. 1.Anynewbridgelocationsshouldtakeintoaccounttheeaseandaccessibilityofmovingagriculturalequipment. 2.Anynewbridgelocationsshouldconsidertheeaseoftrucktransportation. TheagriculturalindustrygeneratesalargeeconomicimpactinthemidWillametteValley.Accesstotransportationinfrastructurethatisefficientandaccommodatingtolargetrucksandoversizedfarmequipmentiscrucialtotheagindustries economicviability.Movingequipmentandcommoditiesisimportant,asisthetransportationofthesupportmaterialsneededfortheagindustry,suchasfuel,fertilizer,andothermaterialsthatfarmersandtheirvarioussupportindustries require.Duetothecurrentbridgebeinginahighlydevelopeddowntownareaitisdifficultfortruckstomaneuversafelyandefficiently.Largetrucksandotherlargeequipmentarenotdesignedforuseinahighlydevelopedcitycore.Abridge farthernorthwithaccesstotheSalemParkway(asseveraldesignproposalsindicate)wouldbemuchmoreefficientfortrucks.TherewouldstillbetheissueoftrucksinahighlydevelopedareainWestSalemifthetruckwereneedingtotravel fartherwestonHighway22.adirectroutefromtheanewnorthernbridgetohighway22wouldbeneeded. Regards, JohnZielinski MarionCountyFarmBureau, President 228 119 A Alternative Preference Alt4E;secondchoice: Marquardt Alt4C Let'snotbetooshortsightedonthis;wideningcurrentbridgesdonothingtoalleviatetrafficflowontheeastside.WeneedtohavedirectaccesstoSalemParkwaytoavoidcongestioninresidentialareas.WallaceRoadneedstoremainasit whichalreadyhashorribletraffic.Let'splantogetaroundtheseareaswithanexpressway.Currentbridgescanhandletheregularshopping/localcommute.Option4Ewouldbethebestbutismostexpensive.Option4CwouldbeOKtoo.

224 115 A Traffic Encouragealternate Lindley,Michael modes

225 116 226 117 A A Alternative Preference Traffic NoBuild Long

Encouragealternate MacMillan modes

227 118 A Socioeconomics Economicimpactsof MarionCountyFarm farmgoodsfreight Bureau movement

229 120 230 121 A Alternative Preference Alt4E Marquardt Asonewhodrivesthebridgesmosteveryday,Ithinkweneedtolookatthebetteroptionseventhoughtheyaremoreexpensive.Agoalshouldbetofixthisproblemforthefuture,notjustnow.ThereforeIdon'tthinkalternatives2answer thisgoal.Withtheamountoftrafficcomingfromthenorth(Dayton,McMinnville,etc)andwestalltryingtogettoI5,Ithinkoption4Eisthebest.ItrelievesthecongestiononWallaceRoad,hasadirectconnectorfromOR22toSalemParkway andseemsthemostefficientforfutureuse. IamastrongadvocatefortheNoBuildOption.Ihavethreereasonsforthischoice:Thedatasupportingthebuildingofathirdbridgehavechanged,thefinancingofathirdbridgehaschanged,andathirdbridgeandtherelatedhighway constructionwillnegativelyimpactWallaceMarineParkandtheEdgewaterdistrict.Myunderstandingofthedatahasalwaysshownthattherearejustafewhourseverydaywhencongestiononthebridgesdelaystraffic.Ithasalwaysseemed absurdtobuildanewbridgetosolvetheproblemofadelaysduringpeakhours.Beforetherecessionbegan,thenumberofvehicletripsacrossthebridgeswasdeclining,andthattrendhascontinued.Whenviewedintermsofthenegative impactandcostofthismassiveconstructionproject,thedatasimplydoesnotsupportconstructionofanyalternativeto"NoBuild."AtthetimediscussionstartedonbuildingathirdbridgeacrosstheWillamette,yearsago,thefederal governmentwasrealisticallyviewedasamajorsourceoffundingforsuchaproject.However,thatisnolongerthecase,andthereisnoreasontobelievethatthefederalgovernmentwilleverbeasolidsourceofmajorfinancingforthismajor projectinanyofitsforms.Thatmeansthatthemoneywillhavetoberaisedlocally.Meantime,ourpopulationisgenerallynotawealthyone,andmostindividualswillnotwanttopayhighertaxesorfeestosupporttheconstructionofanother bridge(orevenexpandanybridge).Furthermore,theuseofpublicmoneytopayforabridgewhenwehavesomanyotherneedsforourlocaldollarsisnotsmarteconomicsinthelongrun.WallaceMarineParkisreallyaverywonderfulpartof WestSalem.Itisaplacewhereonecangotoenjoyaquietwalkorbikeride,orenjoyanathleticactivity,orjoinwithfriendstoenjoyapicnicortakechildrentoplay.Mostoftheoptionsforbuildinganewbridgecallforaddingaroadrightatthe edgeoftheparkaroadwhichwillsnatchawaythequietnowsoprecioustoparkusers.Thatpresenceofvehicularnoisewillshatterthepeaceonefeelsinusingthepark,andgreatlydiminishthevisualcalmofferedfromthebusyurbanworld nearby. A Alternative Preference Alt4E Marquardt Ibelieve4Ewouldbethebesteventhoughitismoreexpensive.Let'sdothisonceandcontemplatefuturegrowth.ThisplankeepsthetrafficoffofdowntownSalem,throughresidentialareasandkeepsWallaceRoadforlocaluseasmuchas possible.

231 122 A Alternative Preference NoBuild,encourage McCabe,Merrily altmodes

232

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A 1 ID#

B SubID#

C Category

D Subcategory

E Name

F Comment Meanwhile,havingahighwayloomingoverEdgewaterStreetafterremovingthequietstripofparkalongEdgewaterwillbeablightonthatpartoftown,destroyingallthatiswearetryingtogainbymakingtheareafriendlytowalkersand cyclists.Thiswholeprojectwasundertakenatatimewhentheeconomywasboomingandmostpeoplebelievedthatwecouldusemotorvehiclestoaccomplishourtransportationneedsforever.Ourcitypopulationwasincreasing,andthe numberofdriversandtripswasincreasing.Theeconomy,neverperfectinSalemandPolkCounty,wasmuchstrongerthanitisnow.Allofthathaschangednow,andifyoulookatstatistics,itappearsthetrendisawayfromusingtheautomobile toaccomplisheverytransportationneed.Forinstance,youngpeoplearenotsoquicktogetdriver'slicensesandtheirowncars.Peoplearemorewillingtowalk,bicycleandusebusestogetaround,andtheyarereducingthenumberofmotor vehicletripstheymake.Isuggestthatitwouldtakeamuchsmalleramountofpublicdollarstofinanceatrulyuseful,comprehensivebussystemasapracticalwaytoreducetrafficonthebridgessothatthosetrucksandcarswhicharetheonly waytomovepeopleandgoodscouldmovemorefreelyatalltimesoftheday. Concernedabout:effectsontrafficIvotefor4Bor4C.MarineDriveandimportantpartoftakingcongestionofWallaceRd.SafetyconcernsfromwrecksonWallace.Havealternative.Other:Thisconnectiontotheparkwayiswayoverdue.I washappyforacrossingfurthernorthsoBrushCollegeorSenafurtherconnectionto22goingwent.CityofSalem/ODOTtooshortsightedonfutureneed.itseemsliketomanystudies0notmuchacomplished.

233 123 234 124 A Alternative Preference Alt4C,4D,or4E Millegan,JW lamplanningtoconstructaninternationalequinecompetitionvenueonpropertyinPolkCountyonpropertylocatedbetweenHighway22andHighway18.ThisvenuewillprovideamajoreconomicstimulustoPolkandMarionCountiesand surroundingareas.Tofacilitatethemovementoflargehorse trailers,farmequipmentandspectatorsattendingtheeventitisnecessarythatdirectaccesstoHighway22bemaintained.ForthisreasonlurgeyoutoselectAlternative4C,4Dor4EallofwhichprovidedirectaccesstoHighway22.Thecurrent accessisslowandwillbedifficultforlargevehiclestonavigate.Thisalternativewillgreatlyexpeditetrafficflow. Alt4C,4D,or4E Oberst,John Any'thirdbridge'projectthatdoesn'taddresstheinabilityofPolkCo.(andpointswest)residentsandbusinessestoreachI5withoutpassingthroughdowntownSalemwouldbeshortsighted,incomplete,andperhapsevenawasteofeffortand resources.PolkCo.isatadistinctdisadvantageinattractingnewemploymentduetothecurrentroutethroughdowntownandacrossactiverailroadtracks...businessesseethesebarrierstotheeasyflowofgoodsandsimplydon'tconsider locatinghere.ThepreferredroutewouldbefromHighway22,parallelingWallaceroad,thenacrosstheriverwithadirectconnectionto,andalignmentwith,SalemParkway. A Alternative Preference Alt4BorAlt4C Mears,Judith

235 125 A Alternative Preference

236 126 A Traffic Moreinfoneeded Obery 1.TheNoBuildVolumesfor2031appearhigh.TheestimatesforhowmanynewhomesgetbuiltinWestSalemwithoutathirdbridgeiskeytothetrafficprojection.Withoutsimilardelaystootherareasoftown,particularlynorthSalem,it seemshighlyunlikelythatmanymorehomeswillbebuiltinWestSalem.WhiletheremaybelandavailablefornewhomesinWestSalem,thereisasignificantdisincentiveintheformofdelaystobuildnewhomesinWestSalem.Thegrowthin newtripsinWestSalemmustbesensitivetotheabilityforpeopletogettoplacesofemployment.Thetechniquesusedtoestimatefuturevolumesshouldbeexplained.Ifthetraditionalfoursteptransportationdemandmodelwasused,there shouldbeanexplanationofhowthetripgenerationestimatesweremadetobesensitivetothedisincentivesImentionedabove.

237 126 B Traffic Encouragealternate Obery modes 2.TheAlternateModesstudyreferencedintheDEISlikelyunderestimatedthepotentialforincreasesbicycling.StudiesbyPucherandDill,byKoorey,andbyFurthpointtotheabilityofseparatedbikeways(cycletracksandmultiusepaths)to attractmuchgreaternumbersofpeopleonbicycles.DutchorDanishstyledcycletrackscouldbebuiltonWallaceRoad,GlenCreek,OrchardHeights,Center,andMarionStreetsforafractionofthecostofthealternativesconsideredinthisDEIS tosimplymovemoremotorizedtrafficacrosstheriver.

238 126 239 126 240 126 E Traffic Buildaltswould worsenbike/ped conditions Nonewbridge Obery 5.EachoftheBuildAlternativesappeartoworsenconnectivityforbikingandwalking.WhileathirdbridgeacrosstheriverimprovesconnectivitybetweenthenorthernpartsofWestSalemandthenorthernpartsofSalem,thatisnotthe primaryorigindestinationpairformostbicyclistsandpedestriansintheaffectedarea.ThelargeroadsandrampsateitherendofthebridgesignificantlydegradetheconditionsforbikingandwalkinginlargepartsofWestSalemandnorth Salem. AfterreviewingtheDraftEISmyconcernsasacitizenofSalemremainthesame.IstronglyopposethebuildingofathirdbridgeacrosstheWillametteRiverinSalem.Ihaveexpressedmyconcernmultipletimeswithmyneighbors,Salem's mayor,theCityCouncilandrepresentativesoftheSalemRiverCrossingprogram. MyoppositiontobuildinganotherSalemcrossingrestsontwoissuesthatarisewhenconsideringapublicprojectofthissize.Thefirstareaisthatofneed.Althoughmanycommutersmayloudlydecrytheterriblebridgetraffic,'myexperience hasbeenthatthecurrentbridgesservethebulkoftheSalemcommunitysufficiently.Icrossthebridgeseveraltimeseverymonthandhavenotrouble,delays,orissuesofcongestion.WhenIaskotherswhousethebridge,Igenerallyhearthe sameconclusion.Thebridgeissufficientforthebulkofanygivenday.Admittedly,thereisasizableinfluxofcarsduringtheeveningcommute.Tothispoint,IadmitIhavewatcheddowntownstateandhospitalofficesemptyatfiveo'clockand singleridercarsimmediatelylineuptocrossthebridge.Simplysaid,aneasyimprovementwouldbeflextimeforworkerssoastoavoidthefiveo'clockrush.'Masstransit,carpoolandeffectivebicyclefacilitiescouldalsosolvethisproblem.I opposethebuildingofanadditionalbridgeasIseethisasanactofenablingandfurtherencouragingthesingleriderautomobileformoftransitthatisindirectconflictwithrisingoilprices,thenation'scallforenergyindependence,andthe growingglobalconcernsforairqualityandglobalwarming.TheAmericanpracticeofurbangrowthrelyingonautoorientedgrowthpatternslandedussquarelyintothismess.Anotherbridgeisnotthesolution,butonlyalengthycontinuationof thatproblem. Lastly,Iopposethebridgeonthegroundsofsocialjustice.TravelingthegrowingneighborhoodinwestSalem,Imarvelatthebeautifuldevelopments,thelargehomes,andthemeticulouslymaintainedlandscaping.IamhappythatAmerican citizenscanenjoyandaffordsuchluxury.Ionlyassumethatthesenewhousingdevelopmentsarelargelyhometothedriverswhocrossthebridgedailyatrushhourandwhovocallyappealtheirbelievedneedforanotherbridge.Howeverwhen Icontemplatetheuseofpublicdollarstoimprovethedailycommuteforthesefamiliesvs.thegainsthatcouldbeaccomplishedwithsimilarfundsforfamilieslivinginpovertyintheHighlandNeighborhood,childrenatriskintheNorthGate Neighborhood,orseniorcitizensintheSouthCentralNeighborhoodmyheartsimplyaches.Isanextra15minutesinacarthegreatesthardshipSalemcitizensface?Canfolkswhowantabridgeyetstatetheyareunwillingtopayatollreally beconsidered"inneed"ofthisthirdcrossing?Lookingcloselyatourcommunity,Iseeareaswithmuchgreaterneedthanafewbusymilesofroadeachafternoon.TheneighborhoodsmostimpactedbythisprojectwillbeGrantandHighland bothwhoarestrugglingandyetimprovingeachyear.Toraiseanexpansivestructure(includingraisedrampswithconcrete'deadspaces'underneath)isaslapinthefaceoftwourbanneighborhoodsthatholdsuchgreatpotentialforSalem. Iurgeyoutonotbuildthisstructure. D Cost/Funding Costbenefitanalysis Obery 4.Hasacostbenefitanalysisbeencompleted?TheanalysisshouldconsidertheNoBuildoptionandotherlowbuildoptions,aswellasoptionspresentedintheAlternateModesstudyandthecycletrackoptionImentionedabove. C Traffic ItsaSalemspecific issue Obery 3.AlargepercentageofthetrafficontheexistingbridgesiscomingfromWestSalemhomestodestinationsclosetodowntownSalem.Theneedforthethirdbridgeislargelydrivenbyintercitytravelneeds,andthusshould,atmost,be addressedbyacityscaledbridge.Thisdoesn'tappeartobeaproblemthatcallsforastatehighwaysolution.

241 127 A Alternative Preference Obery

242 128 243 A Alternative Preference Alt2A O'Connell,Bonnie Specificconcerns:displacement,noise,interruptionofruralquietliving,expansionofWallaceandotherroadswillincreaseunlivability.Ibelievewideningthe2existingbridges(centerst.&Marion)wouldgiveuswhatweneedwiththeleast costanddisruption.

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A 1 ID# 129

B SubID# A

C Category NaturalSystems

D Subcategory Fishhabitat

E Name ODFW

F Comment TheOregonDepartmentofFishandWildlife(department)hasreviewedtheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement(DEIS)fortheSalemRiverCrossingProject.Thedepartmentoffersthefollowingcomments:TheDEiSidentifiesfourmain alternatives.Thesealternativesinclude:thenobuildalternative(AlternativeI),eitherwideningtheexistingBridge(Alternative2A)orbuildinganewbridgeadjacenttotheexistingbridges(Alternative2B)andfinallytwoalternativesthatwould buildabridgeonanewalignmentroughlyImileNorth(downstream)oftheexistingbridges(Alternatives3and4).TheOEISdoesnotidentifyapreferredalternative.AsaresulttheDEiSlacksspecificsneededtoassessimpactstofishandwildlife populations.ThedepartmentoffersafewgeneralcommentsforthisDElS,andwillcontinuetoworkwithOOOTtoidentifyavoidance,minimization,andmitigationmeasuresastheprojectcontinuestodevelopandthelocalpreferredalternative (LPA)ischosen.Potentialimpactsandconcernsinclude:InwaterworkThisisatopicofextremelyhighimportancetothedepartment.TheWillametteRiverintheprojectareaisrearingandmigrationhabitatforwintersteelheadandSpring Chinook.ThesefishspeciesarelistedasthreatenedundertheEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA).ThepotentialeffectsofinwaterworkcanbeminimizedbyeffectiveworkareaisolationandtiminginwaterworkduringODFW'srecommendedin waterworkwindow.HydroacousticeffectsTheeffectsofpiledrivingonfisharestillbeingstudied.However,thefactthatpiledrivingcanhavelethalandsublethaleffectstofishisknown.Vigilanceinmonitoringpiledrivingandmaintainingall mitigationmeasuresneedstobeassuredwithknowledgeablestaffandtheappropriateequipmentonhandduringthiswork.

244 130 A NaturalSystems Wildlifehabitat ODFW RiparianandwetlandhabitatThebuildalternativestoagreaterorlesserdegreewillimpactriparianandinsomecaseswetlandhabitat.Thesehabitatsprovideasuiteoffunctionstosupportnativefishandwildlifespecies.Thedepartmentwill provideguidanceonoffsettingimpactstothesehabitatsrelativetotheFishandWildlifeMitigationPolicy(OAR635415).FloodplainTheWillametteRiverFloodplainislistedundertheOregonConservationStrategyasConservationOpportunity Area(COA)WV03.ThedepartmentrecommendsrestorationandpreservationofthefloodplaintocontributetothelongtermconservationofOregon'snativefishandwildlifespecies.Thedepartmentisencouragedthatallprojectalternatives willspanthefloodplainonpiers.Thisisagoodwaytominimizeimpactstofishandwildlifehabitat,fluvialprocesses,andwildlifeconnectivity.WildlifehabitatSeveralofthealternativesincludemoreextensiveroadwaydevelopmentonthewest sideoftheWillametteRiver.Muchofthisareaiscurrentlyfarmlandandisrelativelyundeveloped.Thisareaprovideshabitatforseveralwildlifespeciesthatwouldpotentiallybedisplacedifthisareaweredeveloped.FishPassageODOTwill needtosubmitaFishPassagePlantothedepartmentforapprovalforanyofthebuildalternatives.PerOregonAdministrativeRule635412,anyartificialobstructionlocatedinwatersofthestateinwhichnativemigratoryfisharecurrentlyor werehistoricallypresentmustaddressfishpassagerequirements.

245 131 A Alternative Preference Alt2AorAlt2B ODFW BasedupontheassessmentwithintheDEIS,thebuildalternativesadjacenttotheexistingSalembridges(Alternatives2Aand2B)wouldhavetheleastimpacttoriparian,wetland,andinwaterhabitat.Thealternativesadjacenttotheexisting bridgesareinhighlydevelopedareasofdowntownandWestSalem.ThereislessassociatedroadwaydevelopmentandpotentialwildlifedisplacementontheWestsideoftheriverwiththesealternativesthanthenorthernalignments (Alternatives3and4).Therefore,thedepaltmentbelievesthatoftbebuildalternatives,Alternatives2Aand2Bwouldhavetheleastimpacttofishandwildlifespeciesandtheirhabitats.

246 132 A Alternative Preference Nonewbridge OliverPoore IhavestudiedtheBridgePlansplanveryclosely,visitedtheaffectedarea,andattendedotherneighborhoodassociationmeetingsacrosstown.Myconclusionisthatevenifafirmreasonforathirdcrossingcouldbeestablishednow(anditcan't byalongshot)thecityplainoldcan'taffordanotherbridgenomatterwhoHELPSpayforit.Justthefiredept.alonehasbeenhitwiththreesuccessiveyearstocomeofhugebudgetcutswhichwillnodoubtatallincreaseourresponseratefrom averymiserable51/2min,whichdoesn'tmeetthecitiesstandardsnow,andcanonlygetworse.Thecutsaredraconianandpeoplewilldie,noargument!Salemshouldnotconsiderspendingonecentofmoneythatisn'tguaranteedtosave lives,becausethesefiredept.cutsaregoingtocostlives.Everyotherbudgetshouldbecuttoshoreupallemergencyservices.Howcananyonelivewiththemselveswhenthatfirstheartattack,drowning,chokingorbabyfallsanddies,willyour prettybridgeconsoleyou!NO!Howaboutthesecondandthirddeaths!Takecareofbasicsthenlookatextras,andthisbridgeisaninexcusableextra.Thesecondbridgessolvedthesafetyissueforyearstocome,nowrebuildemergency response,feed,andhousepeople,educatethemandthenbuildyourprettybridges.Onlythen. Ifthatisn'tenoughwhenIlookattheplanInoticepeopleyardsarecuttoheckratherthanboughtuptoallowadequateroom,soitseemsyoualreadyknowithastobebuiltonthecheapanyway.Whenyouhavesomemoneythatdoesn't comeoutofthefireorotheremergencybudgettryextendingMarineDriveasisalreadyplannedandapproved,thatcouldrelieveyourwholeproblemrightthereandifnotextendMarineDriveNorthwithoutanewbridge,thisbridgeplanis wayoverplannedandisn'tnecessarynowandistooexpensive.Citizenslivesaremuchmoreimportant! 247 133 A Alternative Preference Nonewbridge Olsen IdonotbelievethatWestSalemneedsadditionalbridge(s).IagreewiththecommentsIreadintheSalemWeekly(whichisactuallyrare)articletitled"Abridgetoofar?"thattheonlytrafficissuesareduringpeaktimesandeventhenarenot badatallifcomparedtoother"cities"thatIhavelivedin.Ihavefeltthesesocalledissuesfirsthandwhendrivingduringpeaktimes(8amand5pmweekdays).Idonotwanttobearthecostinthispooreconomyofanyincreasedtaxesorcosts foranewbridge. Theprojectionsofmotorvehicledemandarenotcredibleandhavebeenshowntobegrosslyinflated.Theprojectplannershavereliedonanelaboratemodeldesignedtopredictthatmotorvehicletrafficwillincreasethatdoesnotadequately factortheimpactsofincreasingfuelprices,tollsontheuseofthebridges,induceddemandresultingfromtheadditionoftheproject,andchangingsocietalhabits.Therecent,modestincreasescostoffuelhavealreadyhadsignificanteffectson VMTinthenationandinthelocalareaandhaveresultedinlessmotorvehicletrafficthanpredictedbythemodel.Giventhattollinglikelywouldbenecessarytopayasignificantportionofthecostsassociatedwithanyofthebuildalternatives, considerationoftheimpactsoftollsondemandisessential.(TheCRCstudieshaveshownsubstantialeffectsoftollsondemand.TheadditionoftollingontheexistingWillametteRiverbridgesalonemaybeadequatetoprovidefordemandswell intothefuture.)Themodeldoesnotaddresstheextenttowhichtheadditionofcapacitywillaffectdemand.Thereisaconsiderablebodyofworkavailabledemonstratingthatmotorvehicletraffictendstoincreaseinresponsetonewcapacity muchofwhichislistedat<http://www.vtpi.org/gentraf.pdf>.Asaresult,thepredictionsofv/cratiosfortheNoBuildalternativearelikelyoverlypessimisticandthoseassociatedwiththebuildalternativesarelikelyoverlyoptimistic.Finally, emergingtrendsareshowingthatoperationofamotorvehicleisanincreasinglyunattractiveoptionforyoungerpeople. Oregonhasmadeacommitmenttoreducinggreenhousegasemissions.Theevaluationoftheeffectofconstructionofathirdbridgeontheseemissionsisflawedandinadequate.Membersoftheprojectteamthemselveshaveacknowledged thatthevolumeoftrafficcrossingtheriverasreflectedinthedemandprojectionsusedinthestudywillnotandcannotmaterializeabsenttheadditionofcapacity.However,theDEISassumesthattheprojectedmotorvehicletrafficvolumeswill bepresentunderallalternatives,includingtheNoBuildalternative,andthen,basedonthoseimpossibletoattainvolumes,assertsthatemissionswillbereducedbyvirtueoftheanticipatedminimalreductionsinVMTandmotorvehicledelay.

248 134 A Traffic Analysisflawed Parrow

249 134 B AirQuality/Climate GHGanalysisneeded Parrow

250

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A 1 ID# 134

B SubID# C

C Category Traffic

D Subcategory Morebike/ped analysisneeded

E Name Parrow

F Comment Theanalysisoftheeffectsonwalkingandbicycling,positiveandnegative,oftheproposedbridgealternativesarewoefullyinadequate.Stateandfederaltransportationpolicesrequirethattransportationplanningincludeconsiderationofthese modesoftransportationequallywithmotorizedmodes.Whiletheprojectteamhasdevotedaninordinateamountoftimeandenergyevaluatingtheimpactsonmotorvehicletrafficofthevariousalternatives,theDEISsimplyassumesthatany andalladditionalpedestrianandbicyclistfacilitiesarebeneficialtothoseuserswithoutconsideringthequalityofthefacilitiesorthetravelroutesofpotentialusers.Itdoesnotincludeanyinformationregardingtriporiginanddestinationfor theseusers.NordoestheDEISaddressthetravelroutesthattheseuserswouldhavetofollowtotakeadvantageofthenewfacilities.Forexample,thereisnoconsiderationordiscussionoftheroutethatacyclistwouldtakefromKeizerto WallaceMarineParkwhich,basedonthedesignsunderconsideration,appearstoinvolveaconsiderableamountofoutofdirectiontravel.Similarly,thereisnoevaluationofthenegativeimpactsonwalkingandbicyclingofroadsdesignedto accommodatehighspeedtrafficthroughneighborhoods.Forexample,thereisnodiscussionoftheimpactsofthemodificationstopedestrianandbicyclisttravelalongtheCommercial/LibertyStreetcouplet. Pastroadplanninganddevelopmentactivitiesillustratethegrossinadequacyoftheapproachthathasbeenusedtodateinaccommodatingpedestriansandbicyclists.Theincorporationofafewsidewalksandbikelanesatrandomlocations withintheprojectisinsufficientinprovidinguseablefacilitiesforpeople.ThescarcityofbicyclistsandpedestriansalongMissionStreet,CommercialStreet,LibertyStreet,andPortlandRoaddemonstratethefailureofroadplannersto incorporatesafe,adequate,andappealingfacilitiesintotheirdesigns.

251 134 D Cost/Funding Newbridge alterantivesarenot financiallyfeasible Parrow Itisunfortunatethatscarcetransportationfundshavebeensquanderedinpreparingplansforgrandiose,expensivefreewaystylebridgesinthemiddleofthecitywhentheneedforthefundsfordevelopmentofasensible,multimodal, sustainabletransportationsystemintheSalemKeizerareaissogreat.Regrettably,theresultsofthismostrecentplanningeffortlikelyaredestinedtooccupyyetmoreshelfspace.TheabsenceofthepromisedfinanceplanintheDEIShintsat thefundingrealityconfrontingtheprojectteamthereisnoreasonableprospectthatthemillionsofdollarsneededtoconstructathirdbridgewillevermaterialize.Thepotentialfederalcontributiontotheprojectisminimal.Whilesomelocal politicianshavebeeneagertotrumpettheperceivedbenefitsofathirdbridge,nonehavesteppedforwardwithproposalstoincreasetaxestoraisethenecessaryfunds.Hopefully,intheirnextattemptatlocaltransportationplanning,the projectteamwilltakeheedofthesuggestionthattheyreceivedearlyintheSalemRiverCrossingProjecttoconsiderwhatthecommunitycanaffordandiswillingtopaywhendesigningprojects.

252 135 A Alternative Preference NoBuildorAlt2A Patterson,Meredith IliveintheHighlandneighborhood.Idon'tfindthebridgeexpansionprojectfavorabletomyneighborhood.Ifeelasthoughanexpansionwilldecreaselivabilityasfarastherewillbemoretraffic.Thecommutehomeformewillbelonger,and otherswholivearoundus.Ifeelasthoughthebenefitsforputtingthebridgethroughtheneighborhooddonottranslatebacktotheneighborhood.Therewillbehomeslost,businessesimpacted,andadditionaltrafficandothernegative impactswillbeputupontheneighborsoverhere,wheretherewillbelittlebenefittothosesamepeople.Withtheproximityoftheproposedentrywaytothebridgetotheschool,toHighlandschool,Ifeelasthoughthatwouldbepotentially moredangerousforstudentstryingtowalktoschool.Justputtingadditionaltrafficinthatarea,Ireallyfeelasthoughwillbedetrimentaltothelivabilityofthearea.Iwouldprefertoseeeitherthecurrentsituationleftaloneoranexpansionof theexistingstructure. Iwouldliketorecommendalternative4D.AlsoalongwiththeseweneedtomaketheSalemParkwayeasilyaccessiblefromsidestreetswithlightsandgoodaccess. IlivedinWillaminaandnorthofRickreallandworkedinSalem,nowIliveandworkhere.WhenIhadtocrossthebridgeImodifiedmytimingandrarelyeverwasinatrafficcrawl.Ithinkalittlemoretrafficcontrolwouldbeamuchbetter(and cheaper)solutioninsteadofanewbridge.Firstoff,IwouldchangetheintersectionrighttotheeastofthebridgeatCommercial.Atpeaktimes,changethetimingofthelightstomakethestoptimecomingoffthebridgealotless.Maybe increasetheofframpcomingEasttotwolaneseachonboththenorthandsouthramps.IwouldmakeanonstoppingrampgoingontothebridgegoingWestinsteadofthelight.Therearealotofalternativesthatwouldbealotmorecost effectiveforaproblemthatonlyhappensafewtimesperday. IwouldliketosaythatIthinkthisplanreallydoesn'tmeetanyneedsforthe21stcentury.Tomethislookslikesomethingthatwasdrawnupbackinthe'50s.Anditseemslikewehavetriedthisplanforthelast50,60years,andthere'sbeen it'sbeentonoavail.Tomeitjustlookslikesit'smorebusinessesbeingknockedover,morehousesbeingknockedover,neighborhoodsbeingslashedupevenmore,whichcreatesmoreissuesforpeoplewhowantacitythatislivablewhereyou don'tneedacar,whereyoucanwalk,bike,andmeetyourdailyneeds.Tome,it'snotworththemoney.Tomethisislikethisislikesayingtoapersonwhoisobese,oh,justputanothernotchonyourbelt.Itwillbefineforawhile,butwhat's goingtohappendowntheroad?Youjustkeepgoingandgoingandgoing.It'slikeifyouaresick,andsay,takethispill,itwillhelpyouout,butwhatiscausingthesickness?Tome,Iwouldliketolookoutandseewhatiscausingthetrafficissues. Whydoweneedmoreroadsforthesecars?Wherearethesepeoplegoingtoandcomingfrom,andwherearetheyliving,andhowcanwechangethewaypeoplelive,andthewayourcityisstructuredsomaybepeopledon'tneedtodrive10, 20,30minutestowork.Ithinkthatwouldbeamuchbetterinvestmentinsteadofbuildingmoreroads,becauseit'snevergoingtostop,inmyopinion,andit'sgoingtobetothedetrimentofthecity.

253 136 254 137 A A Alternative Preference Alternative Preference Putney,Angelaand William Nonewbridge;other Rinehart options Alt4D

255 138 A Alternative Preference Nonewbridge; Roden,Lee encouragesmart growthandaltmodes

256 139 A Alternative Preference Alt4C,4D,or4E Rush Ihavetakenthesurveyandselectedmyfavoritetransportationoptions. IamconcernedabouttheimpactontheHighlandneighborhood.Wehavealotofelderly,handicapped,andchildreninourarea.WealsohaveHighlandElementaryandmanyparentswalktheirchildrentoschool.Thesesamepeople,including someinwheelchairs,traveltoFredMeyertodotheirshopping.Young(andold)peoplewalktoMcDonaldsandJackintheBox. IbelievethebestalternativeistomakeadirectroutefromtheParkwayto22,asmanypeoplearetravelingdirectlythroughSalem;however,itappearsthatcreatesafreewaybetweenthesewalkerstothesouthandFredMeyer,JintheB,and McDonalds.ThatoptiondoesappeartohavetheleastimpactonresidentialneighborhoodsandmayrestoresomeoftheneighborhoodvaluetoLibertyandCommercialroutescurrentlyused.Pleaseconsiderthepedestriansandbicyclerswhen buildingthis. ThisletterisbeingpresentedtosummarizecommentsontheSalemRiverCrossingdraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementfromtheUrbanRenewalAgencyfortheCityofSalem,Oregon(Agency).TheUrbanRenewalAgencyisamunicipal corporationestablishedandregulatedbyORSChapter457.CityofSalemUrbanDevelopmentDepartmentstaffprovideservicestotheAgencythroughanintergovernmentalagreementwiththeCityofSalempursuanttoORSChapter190.The Agencyhaseighturbanrenewalareas(DRAs)withinSalem.Projectsunde11akenintheURAsincludepublicinfrastructure,parks,andtrails,aswellaspublicprivatepartnerships.Theseinvestmentshaverejuvenatedblightedareas,spurned privateinvestment,increasedemploymentandenhancedtheoveralleconomicprosperityofthecommunity.TheRiverfrontDowntownandWestSalemURAswerecreatedtoeliminateblightanddepreciatingpropertyvalues,andenhance opportunitiesforresidentialandcommercialdevelopment.ForbothURAs,actionplanshavebeenadoptedtostrategicallyguidespendingforurbanrenewalprojectsoverthenextseveralyears.RecentprojectsintheRiverfrontDowntownand WestSalemURAsincludetheconstructionorreconstructionoftheSalemConferenceCenter,downtownparkingstructures,conversionoftheUnionStreetRailroadBridgetoadedicatedbicycleandpedestrianWillametteRivercrossing,and streetscapeimprovementsandinfrastructuretosupportprivateredevelopmentonBroadwayStreetinn011hdowntown.ExistingURAinvestmentstotalmorethan$92Minthesetwoareas,withanadditional$28Mplannedoverthenextfive years.OftheeightproposedbridgealternativesatleastthreewoulddirectlyimpacttheRiverfrontDowntownURAlocatedinSalem'svibrant,historicdowntown;andsixoftheeightbuildalternativeswouldaffecttheWestSalemUrbanURA. GivenrecentandplannedAgencyinvestmentinthesetwoURAs,wehaveidentifiedthefollowingpotentialimpactsiftheSalemRiverCrossingbuildalternativesareimplemented.

257 140 A Traffic Alt2Bnegatively impactsDowntown URAplans SalemUrbanRenewal Agency(URA)

258 141 A Traffic Alt2Bnegatively impactsDowntown URAplans SalemURA RiverfrontDowntownURAcurrentactivitiesintheRiverfrontDowntownURAincludeprojectsdesignedtoenhancethecentralbusinesscoreandintegratecommercialandresidentialopportunities.Neartermprojectswillassistinthe implementationoftheCentralSalemMobilityStudyrecommendationstoimproveaccess,circulation,andsafetyinandbetweenthedowntowncoreandnorthdowntown,increasedhousinginnorthdowntown,andgrantsandloanstoreduce vacanciesandattractnewbusinesses.Beginningin2018,over$25Misexpectedtobespenttofundothersimilarprojects.

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A 1 ID# 142

B SubID# A

C Category Traffic

D Subcategory Alt2Bnegatively impactsDowntown URAplans

E Name SalemURA

F Comment RiverfrontDowntownURAPotentialImpactsAlternative2B.ThepotentialimpactsdescribedinthedraftEIStodowntownforAlternative2Bareunderstated,inparticularfornorthdowntown.Alternative2Bcreatessignificantchangestothe circulationandaccessinandbetweencentraldowntownandnorthdowntownandcitywide.AdditionalpotentialimpactsresultingfromAlternative2Binclude:illnorthdowntowntherivercrossingprojectaddsnoise,pollution,andaneast westphysicalbarrierbetweenthehistoricdowntownandnorthdowntown,jeopardizingmorethan$5.6MinURAinvestmentand$50MinprivateinvestmentmadetosupportrecentredevelopmentintheareaofBroadwayandMarketStreets. Thisoptionisnotconducivetoexistingandplannedredevelopmentoftheareaintoamixedusedistrictwithvibrantretail,restaurantsandhousing.Alternative2BwouldcreatenewblightintheareabetweentheWillametteRiverandNorth downtown.Theareabeneathandadjacenttothebridgewouldbeunattractivetocommercialandresidentialdevelopmentinanareaplannedforthishighdensitydevelopment.AneffectivebarrierwouldbecreatedbyAlternative2Bbetween NorthdowntownandthedowntownRiverfrontParkandthedowntowncommercialarea.ThisbarrierisinconsistentwiththeimportantroletheWillametteRiverplaysintheRiverfrontDowntownUrbanRenewalPlan.Planobjectivesinclude improvingpedestrian,vehicle,andvehicleaccesstotheriverfrontandparticipatinginriverfrontdevelopmentinawaythatsupportsmixedusedevelopmentandencouragessafepedestrianmovementalongtheriverfront.

260 143 A Traffic Alt2Bnegatively impactsDowntown URAplans SalemURA Anewbridgeatthislocationcomplicatestheheavilytraveleddowntownstreetsystemtrafficpatterns.Thisoptionredirectsaccessbetweennorthdowntownandcentraldowntown,therebyreducingtheattractivenessofhousingand commercialdevelopmentinNorthdowntownChangesinaccessremoves"driveby"visibility,convenience,andaccessformuchofthecentraldowntowncommercialdistrictAnewvehicularbridgeadjacenttotheUnionStreetRailroadBridge (whichwasrepurposedasapopularbikeandpedestrianlinkbetweenwestandeastSalem)wouldresultinadditionalnoise,airpollution,andasignificantlyalteredviewoftheWillametteRiver.The1912UnionStreetRailroadBridgeislistedon theNationalHistoricRegister.Locatingavehicularbridgenexttothisimportanthistoricassetisinconsistentwithgoodurbanplanningprinciples.Thevehicularbridgewouldalsoeliminatethevisualimpactoftheriverlookingnorthfromthe downtownarea.ThereisasignificantriskthatthemajorityofplannedURAandanticipatedprivateinvestmentsinthisareawillremainonholduntilapreferredbridgealternativeisselected.IfAlternative2Bisrecommendedtomoveforward, plannedinvestmentswillcontinuetoremainonholdorbeeliminatedpendingidentificationoffuturefundingforthebridge.MobilityStudyrecommendationsforimprovedvehicle,bike,pedestrian,andtransitaccessandconnectivityinthis area,includingtoandfromtheUnionStreetRailroadBridge(RailroadBridge),willalsolikelyremainonholdduetothenegativeimpactstotheRiverfront!DowntownURAandthemanyyearsofpublicinvestmentinthisURA.

261 144 A Traffic Alt2Aand4B SalemURA negativelyimpact DowntownURAplans Alternatives2Aand4BcontinuetofunnelregionalandthroughtrafficintodowntownSalem.WideningtheexistingbridgesisnotexpectedtobenefittheRiverfrontDowntownURA.BecauseAlternative2Acauseschangesincirculationand accessforbicyclesandpedestrianstoandfromtheUnionStreetRailroadBridgebikeandpedestriantrail,additionalinvestmentsinthisarearesultingfromtheCentralSalemMobilityStudywilllikelyremainonhold.Impactstothehistoric MarionSquareParkreduceopportunitiestoenhancethisgreenspaceandimproveconnectionsbetweentheparkandtheRailroadBridge.WestSalemURATheWestSalemURAwasestablishedin2001toeliminateblightanddepreciating propertyvaluesandattractjobproducingprivateinvestmentsthatimproveandstabilizepropertyvalues.TheEdgewaterSecondStreetActionPlan(ActionPlan)recommendsfocusingnearterminvestmentinthisareaenvisionedasamixeduse commercialcorridor.TheActionPlanfocusincludesEdgewaterandSecondStreets,betweenRosemontandPattersonStreets.Approximately$5.5Mininfrastructureprojectsareplannedforcompletionoverthenext35fiveyears,startingin 2012,includingreconstructionofSecondStreetNW,utilityundergrounding,sidewalkbulboutsandstreetscapeimprovementsonEdgewaterStreetNW,aswellasimprovementsinWallaceMarinePark.

262 145 A Traffic Alts2A,2B,and4B SalemURA through4Enegatively impactWestSalem URAplans WestSalemURAPotentialImpactsAlternativeslaw.2B.4B.4C.4D.4EMostoftheSalemRiverCrossingbridgealternativesimpacttheWestSalemURA,whichincludesEdgewaterStreetNW,theEdgewaterGreenway,andportionsofWallace MarinePark.Theimpactsresultingfromanewfrontageroad/rampandhighwayaccesstothis"MainStreet"areaofEdgewaterandSecondStreetwillbesignificanttotheWestSalemurbanrenewalplanforthisareaandwilldiminishthe redevelopmentvalueofpropertiesintheaffectedarea.Withoutmitigation,additionaltrafficandnoisefromtheadjacenthighwayprojectwilldiscouragethepedestrianfriendly,mixedusedistrictthatisenvisionedhere.Giventheimpacts, possiblemitigationmeasuresinclude:improveconnectivity,includingstreetscapeenhancements,betweenEdgewaterandSecondStreetNW,andalongSecondStreetNWimproveconnectionsbetweentheUnionStreetRailroadBridgeand theEdgewaterDistrict,includingapossiblegradeseparatedaccessforbicyclesandpedestriansoverorunderWallaceRoadIntegratecreative,visuallyappealingelementsintothedesignofanyphysicalbarriersplacedonEdgewaterStreetasa resultofthebridgeCreateadditionalgreenand/oropenspaceforevents/communitygatheringtooffsetthelossofapproximately3.5acrestotheEdgewaterGreenwayConstructadditionalbicycleandpedestrianpathwaysthatlinktothe currentbicyclecorridorthatextendssouthandwesttoMonmouth

263 146 A Alternative Preference NoBuild Scheppke Ifavorthe"nobuild"optionforthefollowingreasons: TheneedforabridgeisbasedonolddataabouttrafficandgrowthinW.Salem. Salemisapoorcitythatcan'tevenaffordabranchlibrarysystemandswimmingpoolsandotherthingsacityoursizehas.Untilweelectamayorandcitycouncilthathasthecouragetodealwiththechronicrevenueprobleminourcityit's foolishtodreamaboutabigbridgeproject. Peoplethatchoosetoliveinsuburbansprawlshouldaccepttheconsequences. "Nobuild"willnotdestroyandexistinghomesandbusinesses. 264 147 A Alternative Preference NoBuild Scheppke,Jim BasedonwhatIhavelearnedabouttheproject,IwanttosayIaminfavorofthenobuildoption,orprobably2A.Icouldbepersuaded,Isuppose,that2Amightbeagoodoption.OnethingIjustheardisthatthewaittimeprojectionsusedin thereportisbasically2008data,whichIthink,giventhatwehavehadarecession,wehavehadahugeincreaseingasprice,Ireallyquestionwhetherthatdataisanygoodanymore.Theyalsotoldusinthenextroomthattheyestimatethatonly 8percentofthecommutersfromWestSalemtothecoreofthecitywouldusealternativetransportation20yearsfromnow.Ithinkthat'sverylow.Ithinkwecandobetterthanthat.Wecandobetterthan8percentofpeoplechoosingtodo somethingotherthandrivetheircar.TheysaidinthenextroomthebiggestproblemispeoplethatliveinWestSalemandworkinthecore.Ithinkwecansolvethatprobleminadifferentwaythanbuildingmoreroads.Weneedamasstransit solution.IwasjustinBogota,Colombia,wheretheyhavededicatedbuslaneswithexpressbusesthatcomeeveryfiveminutes.Andthattownof8millionpeoplehasnocongestionbecausetheybuiltamasstransitsystemthatpeoplechooseto use.We'redoingtheopposite.Ifwebuildmorebridges,we'refacilitatingpeopledrivingtheircarbythemselves,liketheyhavealwaysdoneit.Weneedtochangepeople'sbehavior,andweneedtobuildinfrastructurethatfacilitatesthat,not infrastructurethatperpetuatesthestatusquo.

265 148 A Cost/Funding Newbridge alterantivesarenot financiallyfeasible Schurr WeattendedanopenhouseatWSHStogetinformationaboutapossiblenewbridgeovertheWillamette.Thereweremanyelegantideaspresented.Ourproblemistheincrediblecostofmostoftheseideas.Withmanypeopleoutofwork, stateworkerstakingfurloughdays,firestationsclosingdown,teachersbeinglaidoff,andthecostoffoodandfuelgoingupandup,abridgejustseemstobealuxurywecannotafford.

266 148 B Alternative Preference NoBuild,encourage Schurr altmodes Wewouldbemoreinterestedinalternativessuchasflexingworkschedules,bettermasstransitwithincentivesforpeopletouseit.(Hundredsofmillionsofdollarsfornewroadsandbridgesare"incentives"forpeopletousemoreprivatenon masstransit.) Weneedtofinallystartthinkingaboutideasthatencourageindividualsandbusinessestousefewerprivate(usuallyoneperson)automobiles.It'sonlywhenmasstransitisbetter,faster,cheaperetc.thatcommuterswillstartusingit.Inshort,no newbridge.

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A 1 ID# 149

B SubID# A

C Category Alternative Preference

D Subcategory Nonewnorthern bridge

E Name Shaw,Herb

F Comment Itupsetsmethatmostofthesealternativesareevenbeingconsidered.Anythingunder4isaridiculouswasteofmoney.Ifyougobacktowhenthebridgeswhenthetwobridgesnowwerebuilt,youtriedtoaddresstheproblemsonHighway 22and201.Andassoonasthosebridgeswerecompleted,youstillhadtheproblem,andnowit'sgottenworse.Andthat'sbeen30yearsago.Soit'sobviousyouaretryingtotie22intothis,and22isn'ttheissue.Yougothroughanymorning andanyevening,and22comingintotowninthemorningisnotstackedup.201isstackedup.WallaceRoadisstackedup,clearuppastmyhouse.IliveacrossfromLindalaneontheeastsideoftheroad.Andtheystackclearuppastmy drivewaysometimes.Youdon'tseeanyofthaton22,so22can'tbeanissue.Andsoleaveitalone,leaveitthewayitis,andgetthetrafficcominginfromthenorth,andgetthemonIdon'tlikeHope.Ithinkthat'sterrible,too,butthat'sbetter thananythingandwhatitshouldbecomingoffof,itshouldbecomingofftheintersectionofBrushCollege,andtyinginandtyingintotheParkwayovertherewhereCommercialandLibertycometogether.Now,oneoftheguystoldmethat's themostexpensive.Iamnotsureitis.Andifyoudoacostanalysisonit,Idon'tthinkso.Besides,you'regoingthroughalotofwell,anyway,Ithinkalltheotheralternates,exceptthesefour3hastodowithHope,too,apparently, someplace.IamjustsayingthatHopeisnotaconnection,notaproperplacetobeconnecting.Youaregoingrightthroughgoingrightthroughsomeresidencesoutthere.It'sundevelopedatBrushCollege.It'sfarmland,there'sagravelpitout there,andthere'sanisland.Ijustthinkwe'rewastingalotoftimeandmoney,andyouarenotgoingtogetanywhere.Youarenotgoingtoaccomplishanythingwithanybridgesdoneinthisarea.That'sallIhavetosay.That'sridiculous.

268 150 269 150 270 150 271 151 A Alternative Preference C Socioeconomics Residentialimpactsin Siler,CaroleLouis WestSalem Alt2A Siler,Craig Effectsontrafficconditions.Thisdefinitelyconcernsme.Itcouldproducenegativeeffectsforthetenantsresidinginourpark.Ithinkproposalbetteralleviatestrafficcongestionatendsofbridge(totownandHallageRd) AsaresidentandbusinessownerlivingandoperatinginWestSalemsince1998,IwouldliketolendmysupporttoproposedAlternative2AoftheSalemRiverCrossingproject.Alternative2Aproposestowidentheexistingbridgescrossingthe WillametteRiverindowntownSalem.HavingReadtheSalemRiverProjectDEIS,IbelieveAlternative2Atobethemostprudentandpracticalalternativeintermsofthefinancialandenvironmentalcostsversustheimprovedtrafficflowbenefits ofsuchanundertaking.Alternative2AprovidesasignificantreductionintrafficcongestionovertheNoBuildAlternative1athalfthedollarcostofthenextleastcostlyalternativeandonefifththecostofthemostexpensivealternative(pageES 7DEIS).Increasedpublichealth&safetyaswellaslowercommutetimeswillbeamongthemoreimportantdirectresultsoflesseningoftrafficcongestionprovidedunderAlternative2A.Thereiscurrentlynomechanisminplacetofundthe SalemRiverCrossingproject.However,Alternative2AistheonlyDEISbuildalternativethatdoesnotconsiderthepossibilityofcollectingatollforbothexistingandproposedbridgecrossingstopayforthefundingoftheproject(page343 DEIS).AtollcrossingwouldlikelyresultinresidentialflightfromtheWestSalemareaandhaveasubstantialimpactonthebusinessesofWestSalem.IknowofnocityinthestateofOregonthatcurrentlycollectsatollforbridgecrossings.I believetherewouldbealackofsupportbythepublicforanybuildalternativethatwouldconsiderfundingbytollcollection. ConcerningSection4(f)oftheDOTActof1966,page(4f)30oftheDEISstatesthatAlternative2AwouldonlyminorimpactsontheattributesandfeaturesofWallaceandMarineParkandRiverfrontPark.Roughly14%ofMarionSquarePark wouldbeimpactedbytheconstructionofAlternative2A.INparticular,aplaygroundstructurewouldbeimpacted.however,thereisampleopenspacedirectlywestofthestructurethatcouldserveforits'relocationwithinthepark.Thereis alsothepossibilityofatemporarylackofaccesstotheUnionStreetRailroadBridgeandbicycletrailduringconstruction.TheDEISaddressestheseissuesonpage4(f)2statingthatSection4(f)concernscanbeoverriddeniftheotheralternatives arenotfinanciallyprudentincomparisontothealternativebeingconsidered.Certainly,Alternative2Aismuchmoreconservativeprojectintermsoffinancialcoststhananyoftheotherbuildalternatives.Alternative2Ahasthelowestimpact ontheenvironment.itspecificallyminimizesthenumberofresidentswhowillbeaffectedbythequalityoflifeissuessuchasincreasednoiseandlowerairqualityincomparisontoalltheotherbuildalternatives.2Aoffersthebestalternativeto maintainingthelivabilityofthecurrentandfutureresidentsofWestSalem,especiallythoseresidingalongandadjacenttoWallaceRoad.Itcausestheleastamountofdisruptiontotheirlives,bothduringandaftertheconstructionpages,by minimizingthescopeoftheproposedproject.Bythesamereasoning,Alternative2AminimizestheeffectontheplanandwildliferesidingaloneandwithinthebanksandwetlandareasoftheWillametteRiverbyminimizingthefootprintofthe project. B Socioeconomics Businessimpacts Siler,CaroleLouis Effectsonthelocalandregionaleconomy.SeveraloftheproposedplanswouldcauseexcessivebusinessdisplacementsPlan2AseemslesslikelytoeffectourownershipofSomersetHeights A Socioeconomics Residentialimpactsin Siler,CaroleLouis WestSalem Ihavespecificconcernsaboutthefollowing:Effectsonresidents,businesses,andvisitors.MyfamilyownsSomersetHeights,1630WallaceRoad,aretirementcommunityofmanufacturedhomes.Imconcernedastotheadverseeffect constructionnearourpropertycouldhaveuponourtenants.Itcouldbringdownthevalueoftheirhomesaswellaspossibledisplacementofsomeoftheresidents.

272 152 A Alternative Preference Alt2A Siler,Craig

273 153 274 154 A Alternative Preference Alt2A Siler,Kay Concernedabout:effectsonresidents,businessesandvisitorsespeciallythemobilehomeparkat1640WallaceRdandits65elderlyfamilies.Effectsonlivability;effectsonlocalandregionaleconomyNOtollsplease!Effectsontraffic conditions:OKfor2Aonlyallotherswaytooexpensive.Effectsonthenaturalenvironmentandnoisepollution.pleasedonotdestroyWallaceParkw/roadways.OtherComingfromalargecity,Idonotbelievethereisabigtrafficproblem there,evenifthereissomeminorcongestionforafewminutes@7:308:00AMandsometimes4:305:15PM. Thelargenumbersofalternativesisdifficulttosaywhichonetoprefer.Ihaveseenthisideatossedaroundforover40yrs..Upuntil10to15yearsagopayingforabridgewaswithinreason.Nowwithmoreregulation,costincreases,andnoreal proofwearegaininganythinginrelationtothemassivedebttooccur.Iam77yrs.andwillneverseeabridge.Mykidswillnotandmygrandkidseither.Decidingwhichalt.tousefirstisnowaytostart.Afterchoosingandthentrytopayforitis nowaytogo.Fed.moneymaynotpayanyormuchwiththefiscaldebts.AutoReg.wouldnotflybecauseofthelargeincreaserequired.Prop.taxwouldonlybepaidbylocalsnottouristsorotherusers.Tollswouldneedtobehigh,thenthe nontollbridgeswouldbeusedtherebyhinderingpayoff.Ifachosensiteisfoundtobeaproblemenvironmentallyorotherwise,afterspendingmillions,anotherwouldneedtobelookedat.Inthemeantimecostswillsuretoincreaseandyou willnevergetitbuilt.Andyoudon'thaveasurewaytofinancethedebacle. Alternatives:BuildMarineDrive CanceltheredooftheGlennCreek/Wallaceinterchange.andhaveG.C.gooverWallace.KeepWallacemoving. MakeFrontStonelanetoleftsidetokeeptrafficmovingleftofftheCent.Stbridgeramp. PutrampsgoingoffandonbothbridgesoverCommercialSt. TrysomeroundaboutstheyworkworldwideandareinallofSunriverOr. MymainpointtomycommentsTRAFFICmustkeepmoving!AndatacostthatisDOABLE.Thecurrentideasarenotevenfinanciallypossible.Ihavefarmed60yearsandknowyoudon'tstartaprojectifyoudon'thaveyourfinancialplanfirst. (IhappentobeonthePolkCo.PlanningComm.for17years.) A Alternative Preference Alt2A Siler,Craig ThoughAlternative2Amaynotbetheperfectsolutiontotheincreasingtrafficcongestionthattheproposedprojecthopestorelieve,Ibelieveittobethebestoverallalternativebeingconsideredatthistime.Ihopethatyouwillgivemy commentsearnestconsiderationandsupportAlternative2AastheprudentandpracticalchoicefortheproposedSalemRiverCrossing.

275 155 A Alternative Preference Nonewbridge;do localsystem modifications Simmons

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A 1 ID# 156

B SubID# A

C Category Alternative Preference

D Subcategory NoBuild

E Name Sjorgen,Karen

F Comment ThefollowingaremycommentsontheabovereferencedDEIS.IstronglyfavortheNoBuildAlternative,forreasonsgivenbelow.Theleastoffensivealternativesare3and4A,inpartbecausetheydestroyneighborhoodsotherthanmyown. ODOTneedstogobacktothedrawingboardandcomeupwithoptionsnorthofallofthese,thatbeginandendonundevelopedland.ImovedheretwentyyearsagofromtheSanFranciscoBayArea,whichisrepletewithbridgesfivegoing fromeasttowestacrosstheBay.DuringthetimeIlivedthere,anotherbridgewasproposedtheSouthernCrossing,attheverysouthendofthebay.Thatbridgewaseventuallydefeated,duetocostandtherealizationthattherealcauseof trafficslowdownwasincreasedhousingdevelopment,notthelackofabridge.DuringthetwentyyearsIhavelivedinWestSalem,farmlandhassteadilybeenconvertedintohousingbothsingleresidenceandmultifamilywithoutadequate considerationtotheincreasedtrafficresultingfromthisdevelopment.Themajorityofjobsarestilleastofthebridge,creatingtrafficbackupsduringcommutehoursonly.WestSalemhasalsograduallydevelopedbusinessesandserviceswhich obviatetheneedtocrossthebridge,suchasmedicalclinics,restaurants,aStarbucks(!),financialservices,pizzaparlors,abranchlibrary,andsoforth.Thelatterisapositivedevelopment.Iconsidertheresidentialdevelopmenttothenorth alongWallaceRoadanegativedevelopment,sinceitwasnotaccompaniedbysupportiveservicesorjobsandsojustcreatesmoretrafficonWallaceRoadinbothdirections.

277 156 B EnvironmentalJustice ImpactstoEJ communities Sjorgen,Karen Iliveinalow/moderateincomeenclaveboundedbyOrchardHeights,WallaceRoad,Taggart,andWallaceMarinePark.Therearefivemediumtolargeapartmentcomplexesinthisarea,aswellasPioneerVillage.PioneerVillageisabeautifully designedandwellmaintainedHUDdevelopmentoffourplexesthatservestheelderlyanddisabled,andisrightnexttoWallaceMarinePark.Thepositivefeaturesofmyneighborhoodare(l)therelativequiet(foranurbanarea)duetothepark ononesideandbusynessesblockingsomeoftheWallaceRoadtrafficnoiseontheother;(2)easyaccesstotheparkandUnionStreetfootbridgetodowntownSalem;and(3)thepedestrianfriendlyaspectoflivinghere.Icanwalktoallofthe servicesIneedwithoutdealingwithmajortraffic.Moreimportantly,socanmyneighborswhodonotownacareitherbecausetheycannotafford?dbnotwantone,oraretooelderlyordisabledtodrive.IwasanenumeratorfortheU.S.Census in2010inmyneighborhood,aswellasin2000fortheareaslightlywestofhere.Ihavelivedatmypresentaddressforovertenyears,andIknowmyneighborhoodwell.AnybridgeoptionthatrequiresbuildingMarineDrive,atanylocation,is goingtodestroythisneighborhood.TableES2ismistakenwhenitsaystherewillbenoimpacton"Communitycharacterandcohesion"withthesealternatives.Howcanknockingdown16housingunits,puttingahighlytraffickedroadnextto therestofPioneerVillage,creatingtrafficnoise,separatinghousingfromthepark,andimpairingpedestrianandbicyclesafetybybringinginagreatdealoftrafficnotnegativelyimpactcommunitycharacterandcohesion?

278 Theactionalternatives(exceptfor3and4A)alldestroythethreeattractivefeaturesofmyneighborhoodthatIdescribedabovewhichcreateasenseofcommunityandcohesionhere.Theimpactswillbeextremelynegative,andTableES2is incorrectinsayingtherewillbenone.Incredibly,TableES2alsostatesthattheactionalternativesdependentuponMarineDrivewillhave"noimpact"withrespecttoEnvironmentalJustice.Thisisincorrect.TheMarineDrivealternativeswill directlytakeoutl6unitsofverynicelowincomeHUDhousinginhabitedbyseniorsand/orthedisabled(oneofwhomisadisabledVietnamvet),aswellasmaketherestofthoseunitslessinhabitableduetonoise,congestionandlessshade.By targetinglowincomeareasfortheworstimpacts,theactionalternativesarenotinaccordancewiththeprinciplesofEnvironmentalJustice.ThisisalsotrueoftheneighborhoodsontheeastVsideoftheriverforthenorthernactionalternatives, whichIamlessfamiliarwith.TableES2isalsoincorrectinstatingthatalternatives2Aand2Bwillnothaveanimpacton"Generalandparticularsocialgroups",i.e.,PioneerVillageresidents.AnyoptionthatrequiresconstructingMarineDriveto reducetrafficonWallaceRoadwillnegativelyimpacttheelderly/disabledpopulationofPioneerVillage,whichisverymucha"socialgroup".(Infact,thisisformanytheironlysocialgroup,duetolimitedmobility).Thus,myfirstreasonfor opposingalltheactionalternativesisthedisproportionatenegativeeffectonlowincome,senioranddisabledpopulations.Itispatentlyunfairtoattempttoincreasetrafficflowattheexpenseofthosewho,byvirtueoftheirlifestyle, contributelesstothattraffic.Itispatentlyunfairtodisplaceand/orreducethequalityoflifeinwellestablishedneighborhoodswherepeoplearelessable,duetohealthandfinances,tomove.Andtheyshouldn'thaveto. 279 156 C Cost/Funding Buildalternativesnot Sjorgen,Karen financiallyresponsible MysecondreasonforopposingalltheactionalternativesisthattheyarefiscallyirresponsibleonthepartoftheCityofSalem.SincelatelastyearIhavebeenattendingWestSalemNeighborhoodAssociationmeetingsatwhichthecitymanager orothercivicleadershavegivenagloomanddoomfinancialforecastfortheCity,basedondecliningpropertytaxrevenues.Thisdeclineisattributabletoreducedpropertyvaluesand"compression",whichlimitstheCityofSalem'sabilitytoraise propertytaxes.Asaresultofdecliningrevenues,theCitycan'tevenaffordtooperateWestSalem'ssecondfirestation,andhasdrasticallycuthoursatWestSalem'sbranchlibrary.TheCitycan'taffordtosharethecostofoperatingourtwo publicpools,andparkmaintenanceisdoneonashoestring,withthehelpofcommunityserviceworkers,volunteers,andinmates.Overall,citystaffhasbeengreatlyreduced,resultinginalossofjobsandtherebyincometaxrevenuetothe state.Thebridgeproposalsexacerbatethecity'sfinancialproblemsinseveralways.First,theyreducepropertytaxrevenuebydestroyingmanybusinessesandresidenceswhichgreatlycontributetothattaxbase.Inmyarea,thesearethriving smallbusinessesandwellkeptupmultifamilyhousingstock.Secondly,theywilltakeawayjobswhichmaintainthehousingstockandstaffthebusinessesonafrequentand/orperiodicbasiseverytypeofjobfromrooferstoplumbersto landscaperstotellersandsoforth.Therewillbealossofrevenuefromtheseindividualswhowillnolongerspendtheirmoneylocally(i.e.,inWestSalem).Thirdly,thepropertyvaluesoftheremaininghousingstockwilldeclineasthearea becomeslessattractivetoliveinduetoincreasedtraffic,morenoise,andreducedaesthetics.Fourth,theremainingsmallbusinesseswilllosebusiness,asmuchofitdependsuponfoottrafficaswellasambiance.Manyofthebusinesseswill choosetorelocate,reducingthequalityoflifeintheaffectedneighborhoodsand(ironically)increasingtrafficaswewillhavetodrivetogettheservicesthosebusinessesprovided.Finally,thebridgewillfinanciallyobligatetheCityinamajor wayfordecades,precludingotherneededservices,regardlessofhowmuchfederal/stateassistanceisprovided.TheCityofSalemwouldbe"crazyinthehead"(asafishermanIworkedforputit)tosignontoaprojectthatimmediatelyreduces thepropertytaxbase,reducespropertyvalues,costsjobs,andinvolvesanenormousfinancialcommitmentatatimewhenthecitycannotprovidebasicservicesataminimallevel.Thisisallsothatcommuterscangettoandfromworkwithout somebackupintraffic.Suchbasicservicesasfireprotection,parks,libraries,andamunicipalcourt/policeforcearefar,morebasicandimportantthanreducingtraveltimetoandfromoutlyingareasinWestSalemorbeyond.TheCitysapproval ofanyoftheactionalternatives,underpresentfiscalconditions,wouldbenotonlyfiscallyirresponsiblebutreprehensible.Mythirdreasonforopposingtheactionalternativesisthattheywillreducetheaestheticqualitiesoftheareasinwhich theyarebuilt,auditoryaswellasvisual.

280 156 D Socioeconomics Residentialimpactin Sjorgen,Karen WestSalem AfterIreadtheDEISExecutiveSummary,Itookthe"bridgewalk"frommyapartmentthroughWallaceMarinePark,overtheUnionStreetBridge,aroundRiverfrontPark,andback.Itriedtoimaginethisnowpopularwalkwithanyofthe proposedchangesthatinvolveconstructingMarineDrive,betheyanadditionalbridgeorwideningtheexistingones(i.e.,allalternativesexcept3and4a).Herearesomeofthenegativechangesthatwilloccur:(a)MarineDrivewillforman effectivebarrierbetweenmyneighborhoodandWallaceMarinePark,forme,myyoungHispanicneighborswhorunovertheretoplaysoccer,thePioneerVillageladywhowalksherlittledoginastrolleronthebarkfootpaths,andother pedestrians.WallaceRoadissuchabarrier;heavilytraffickedstreetsalwaysare.(b)MarineDrivewilltakeouttherowofsizeableDouglasFirandothertreesthatformaneffectivescreenbetweenWallaceMarineParkandPioneerVillage.I'm notsureoftheexactrouteofthedivertedbridgetraffic,butitseemstheauxillaryroadswillalsonegativelyimpactthecreekandnewtreeplantingsjustnorthofGlenCreekalongthecreek,aswellasthenicelydevelopinggroveoftreesnextto theCourthousethatwewalkthroughtoaccessthepedestrianbridge.Evenifthesescenicattributesarenotactuallyremoved,theywillberenderedlessattractivebytheincongruouspresenceofbusy,multilanedroadwaysandtrafficnoise.We wontbeabletohearthebirdsong,andthegroveoftreeswillnotcreateanykindofaforestfeeling. (c)Theactionalternatives,especiallyathirdbridge,willmaketheexistingandplannedpedestrian/bikepathwayslessattractiveandthereforelessused,contrarytocityplanningobjectivesand"smart"development(encouraging walking/bicyclingasopposedtovehicletraffic.AsIwalkacrossUnionStreetbridge,IcanstillheartrafficfromtheMarionStreetbridge,mutedasitis.Putinanotherbridge,andIwontbeabletocarryonaconversationwithsomeoneorhear thebirdsintheadjacentOregonAsh.Widenthebridgeandthetrafficnoisewillbenoticeable.TheactionalternativescompletelydestroythepointofrenovatingtheUnionStreetbridge,whichwastoprovidepedestrians/bikeridersamore pleasant,healthieralternativetothewalkwaysnexttothetrafficlanesontheMarion/CenterStreetbridges.(d)AnewbridgeherewillalsonegativelyimpacttheviewsfromtheUnionStreetbridge,theGilbertHousearea,andevenRiverfront Park.Asitstandsnow,Icanlookbackatthesand barareaofWallaceMarineParkasIwalkacrossthebridgeandthenbytheGilbertHouse.There'salsoarowofyoungmapletreesgrowingupamongstthecottonwoodsandfirsontheGilbertHousesideoftheriverthataddtothenatural aspectoftheriversetting.AllofthesevisualattributeswillbelostifanewbridgeisbuiltbetweentheexistingbridgesandtheUnionStreetbridge.

281 156 E Parks/Recreation Negativeimpactsto UnionStreetPed Bridge Sjorgen,Karen

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E Name Sjorgen,Karen

F Comment (e)Finally,theactionalternatives(except3and4a)willdestroytheintegrityoftheparksysteminthisarea,meanttobeinterconnectingandeasilyaccessibletoadjacentresidents.IhavediscussedWallaceMarineParkatlength,butwidening MarionStreetbridgewillalsotakepartofMarionSquareoutandreduceitsattractiveness.ThisisawelldevelopedurbanparkwithsomesizeableDouglasFir,askateboardfacility,playground,andrestrooms.Itisespeciallyimportantto downtownresidentswhoarelimitedtopedestrian,bicycleandbustravel.Theseparkusersdeservetohavepleasantparkexperience;andwideningthebridgewilldetractfromthat.AthirdbridgewillsimplydestroytheCity'splanstoconnect WallaceMarineParktodown townandincreaseitsusebypedestrians,bymakingtheparkmuchlessofaparkduetoincreasednoiseandthevisualintrusionofahighlytraffickedroadsystem.Frankly,I'mnotsurewhytheseactionalternativeswereevenallowed,dueto theirproximitytoandimpactonSalem'slargerparks.Theyshouldbedefeatedforthisreasonalone.

283 156 G Alternative Preference NoBuild Sjorgen,Karen

Myfourthandfinalreasonforopposingalloftheactionalternatetivesisthattheyarenotneeded,andwillnotsolvemanyofthetrafficproblemswhichtheyaresupposedtosolve.Theyarealsonotthebestsolutionstothe commute/emergencyvehicleaccessproblems,basedonthecriteriaof(l)costeffectiveness;(2)thegreatestgoodforthegreatestnumberofpeople;(3)fairness;and(4)notultimatelyjustcreatingmoretrafficbyallowingmoresprawl,thereby justkickingthecandowntheroad. Iwilltrytoaddressthisgeneralpremiseintheformofspecificissues.(1)BridgeClosure.IwasamongthecommutersstrandedontheeastsideoftheMarionStreetbridgein2005asthepolicetriedtodealwithapotentialsuicidesituation,soI knowhowbackeduptrafficcanget.However,thisonceintwentyyearincidentdoesnotjustifybuildinganotherbridgerightnexttothatoneatanenormouscostwhichwilldestroythelivabilityoftheadjoiningareas.Betteralternativesare: (a)Emergencyfire/medicalsituations.StrengthentheabilityofWestSalemtohandlethesesituationswithoutcrossingtheCenterStreetbridge,i.e.,moremedicalfacilitiesandfireprotectionservices.Tosomedegreethisishappeningwithan increaseinmedicalservicesinWestSalem,andDallasdoeshaveahospital(theambulancesparkedatRoth'scangoinanydirection).ItismyunderstandingthattheUnionStreetbridgewasbuilttoaccommodateemergencyvehiclessuchas ambulancesifneedbe.Inaddition,ingressandegressontheexistingbridgescanbemodifiedtohandletrafficflowifoneormorelanesmustbeshutdowninanemergency.Afterthe2005trafficsnarl,bettercontingencyplansweredeveloped todojustthat.Andalthoughitiswisetoworryaboutcontingencies,theCenterStreetbridge(i.e.,WestSalem'saccesstoSalemHospital)hasneverbeenshutdowninthetwentyyearsIhavelivedhere.AbetteroptionistouseSalem'sportion ofthebridgemoneytooperateWestSalem'ssecondfirestation.(b)Commuters.Iworryfarlessabouttheimpactofbridgeclosureoncommutersthanonfirstresponders,eventhoughIamacommuter.ThisappearstobeprimarilyaMarion Streetbridgeissue,althoughasIstatedpreviouslyithashappenedonlyonceinthetwentyyearsIhavelivedhere.Assuch,abridgeclosurewoulddelaycomingfromratherthangoingtowork,soworktimeisnotlostoneithertheemployeror employeeside.Again,afterthe2005incidenttheCitymodifieditsemergencyresponsesothatfewerbridgelaneswillbeclosedshouldanothercrisisarise.%CTrecentlydidextensiverepavingworkontheMarionStreetsrequiredclosingdown severallanesforextendedperiodsoftime.Asacommuter,Iwasinconveniencedbythis,butitwasnecessaryroadworkandIsurvived.Anotheroption,ifeitherbridgeiscompletelyshutdown,istocreatetwowaytrafficontheremainingbridge (Idon'tknowifthisisfeasible).(c).Options.Consideringwhatcatastrophemightcauseeitherbridgetobecompletelyshutdown,itwouldbeunwisetobuildathirdbridgerightnexttotheexistingtwo,sincethatcatastrophewouldmostlikely impactthethirdbridgealso.Theadditionalbridge,ifeverbuiltatall,shouldbeplacedfurthertothenorthwheredifferentenvironmentalconditionsmightprevailintheeventofanaturaldisaster.(IwasinSanFranciscoduringthe1989 earthquakeandsawthefreewaycollapses).

284 156 H Traffic Emergencyresponse Sjorgen,Karen notjustificationfor newbridge

285 156 I Traffic Alts3and4Aworsen Sjorgen,Karen trafficfromthrough traffic (2)TraveltotheCoast.OnereasongivenfortheactionalternativesisthattheywillreducetraveltimetoHighway22westforthoselivingeastoftheriver.Fornorthernoptions3and4a,thisissimplynottrue,asthosevehicleswill,aftercrossing therivertoHopeAvenue,havetotravelsouthonWallaceRoad,causingmorebackupthere.Fortheothernorthernoptions,MarineDriveiscreatedasabypass;inadditiontoruiningmyneighborhood,thiswillnotsignificantlyreducetravel time.Vehicleswillhavetogoawayfromthecoasttocrosstheriver,thendoublebackaround.Besides,themajorityofvehicletrafficouttothecoastisforrecreationalpurposesandduringnoncommutehours;gettingtherefastisnotapriority, norshoulditbegiventhedrivingconditionsandconfigurationofwesternbyways.Thisisnotavalidreasonfortheactionalternatives,norwilltheysignificantlymeetthis"need".(3)MakingPedestrianandBicycleTravelSafer.Bigprojectssuch asthisonefrequentlytackonbikelanesand75rpedestrianwalkwaystomakethemmorepalatable,allthewhiledestroyingexistingneighborhoodswhicharepedestrian/bikefriendly,aswellasexistingpathways.Manyofthosementionedhere canandshouldbedonewithoutbuildingthebridgeorwideningtheexistingones.Thealternativesthemselveswillotherwisemakepedestrianandbiketravelmoredangerous,inpartbyCreatingmoretraffic.Wideningtheexistingbridgeswill eliminatethefoot/bicyclepathsonbothbridges.ContrarytowhatisstatedintheEIS,thesepathwayshavenotbeenrenderedsuperfluousbytheUnionStreetpedestrianbridge.Theyarestillusedbypedestrianswhowantamoredirectroute todowntownorbicyclistswhowantafasterride.Anypedestrian/bicycleusewhichreplacesvehicleuseistobeencouraged,andgivingpeopleachoicebetweenUnionStreetandthevehiclebridgesmakestravelmoresafebyreducingdensity. Eliminatingthevehiclebridgepathwaysmakesbike/pedestriantravellesssafebycrowdingallusersontotheUnionStreetbridge,especiallyafterRiverfrontevents.AnyoftheactionalternativeswhichinvolveconstructingMarineDrivewill makefoot/biketrafficmuchlesssafeinmyneighborhood,notonlybyincreasingtrafficbutbybringingincommutetraffic.ThesearedriversintentongettingfrompointAtopointB,andtheyareinahurry.Theyarenotwatchingoutformeor anelderly/disabledpersontryingtocrossthestreet.Inaddition,wideningstreetscreatesalesssafesituationforpedestrians,notonlybecausetheytakelongertocrossbutbecauseofdriverexpectationsandattentiveness.Ratherthanbelabor thepoint,comparetheaccidentrateforcrossingWallaceRoadatGlenCreek,GlenCreekitselfbythepostoffice,andtheroadseparatingPioneerVillagefromWallaceMarinePark.Ortryityourselvesduringcommutehours.(Thenowremoved stoplightbythehardwarestorewasputinplacebecausesomeone'smotherwaskilledtryingtocrossWallaceRoadatthatpoint.)Alloftheactionalternativeswillalsomakepedestrian/bicycletravellesssafefurthernorthonWallaceRoad,due tonotonlyincreasedtravelinbothdirectionsbuttheincreaseinvehicle dependentgrowthwhichanadditionalrivercrossingwillencourageinthatarea.Thishasalreadyoccurred,ashaverestrictionsastowherepedestrianscanactuallycrossWallaceRoad.Forallofthesereasonsandmore,theactionalternatives donotmeettheneed"tomakepedestrian/vehicletravelsafer.Theymakebothformsoftravellesssafe,lessavailable,andlesspleasant,thusreducingbothformsoftravelwhichshouldbeencouraged.

286 156 J Traffic Encouragealternate Sjorgen,Karen modes (4)NeedtoImproveTransitTime.Busridersshouldberewardedfortakingmasstransit,butcommutehourbackupsarenotthemajorinconveniencethatbusridersexperience.Routefrequencytimeshaveconsistentlybeenreduced, increasingwaitingtimesatbusstops.IwouldsuggesttakingSalem'sshareofthebridgemoneyanddedicatingittobusservice,asawayofreallyhelpingtransitriders.(5)BridgeCapacity.Thebasicargumentisthatbothbridgesareoperatingat ornearcapacity,andthatthereforeitistimetobuildanadditionalbridgeacrosstheriver.Thereareseverallesscostly,fairer,andmoreintelligentoptionsavailablethatcanbeimplementedinconjunctionwiththeNoActionAlternative.Afew oftheseIhaveproposedbelow.(a)Commuters.Itravelacrossthesebridgesduringallhours,andtheonlytimetheyarebackedupisduringcommutehours.Thus,thebridgesarenot"atcapacity".Amajorityofcommutersworkforthestate, makingiteasyforthecitytoworkwithjustoneentityatreducingpeaktrafficflowsbystaggeringworkhours,makingnonvehiclecommutingmoreattractive,carpooling,andsoforth.InmycaseIwasabletochangemyworkhoursfrom7 3:30p.m.,makingthehomecommutemorereasonable.Commuterscanalsoproactivelyseekalternatives,asIdid,ratherthanallowingneighborhoodstobedestroyedfortheirconvenience.(b)WestSalem.Toreducepeaktravelflows,the CityofSalemneedstodevelopWestSalemmoreintelligently.Hopefully,atthistimeoffiscalcrisistheCityhaslearnedthatitcan'tgrowitswaytowardsprosperity.ContinuingresidentialdevelopmentnorthonWallaceroadwithoutproviding servicesorjobsoutthereispoorplanningandjustfunnelsmorecommutetrafficontothebridges.DevelopingurbancoressuchastheoneIliveinissmartdevelopmentandthewaveofthefuture.Thisprojectisastepbackwardasitwill destroythisarea,fosteringurbandelay.(c)TrafficFlow.Partofthecommutehourbackupsarecausedbyingressandegressproblemsfromthebridges.Ibelievetheseaspectsoftrafficflowarealreadybeingaddressed,astheyshouldbe.

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B SubID# K

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E Name Sjorgen,Karen

F Comment (6)"RadicalAcceptance".AlltrafficproblemsarenotCausedbythelackofanadditionalrivercrossing,norwouldtheybealleviatedbybuildingone.Therearetimesduringtheweekandonweekendswhenthereissimplyalotoftrafficonall majorroadways,duetomanypeopleneedingor.wantingtodothingsatthesametime.Vehicledriversneedtosimplyaccepttrafficaspartoflivinginametropolitanarea,and/oradjusttheirroutineorworkscheduletoavoidtraffic.For commuters,thismayinvolverelocatinginordertoliveonthesamesideoftheriveraswhereoneworks,orfindingworkonthesamesideoftheriveraswhereonelives.MydownstairsneighborworksatRothsacrossthestreet;shechoseto liveherepartlyforthatreason.Thisconcludesmycommentsontheproposedrivercrossing.IhopethattheNoActionAlternativewillbeadopted,forthereasonsIhavestatedaboveorsimplybecausetheCitydoesnothavethefundstomove forward.Twentyyearsago,whenIfirstmovedtoSalem,thecitywantedtoputeithersoftballfieldsoranarboretumoutatMintoBrownpark.Thepublicprotested,andabetterlocationwasfoundforboth.I'mhopingthatwillbethecase withtheseactionalternativesthattheywillbedefeatedandamorenorthernlocationfoundwhichdoesnot,unfairly,destroyexistingneighborhoodsandleadtourbandecay.I'mhopingthatSalemandotherdecisionmakerswilldotheright thing.

288 157 A Socioeconomics Residentialand businessimpactsin WestSalem Residentialand businessimpactsin WestSalem Skog ArewesacrificingourneighborhoodfortheresidentsofWSalem?Welive1blockeastof5thave.Iftheintentionistorelievecommutertime2Bmeetsthatobjective.Ifthevisonincludesfacilitatingcommutetothecoastthanwhynotuse SalemParkwayandpreservethisalreadyfragileneighborhood.Atollcouldoffsetexpense.Includedareducedrateforthedailycommute.IfithastobePineleaveitonthemainthourougfares.ChildrenwalkBroadwaytoHighland Elementary.What'stokeepmotoristsfromaccessingHickoryfromCherryviaLocust?IsthereaplantoopenMapletothecardealership?TothatI'dlikearespponse. Effectsonresidents:wealreadyhavenoicefromtheparkwayandtrain,don'tneedmore.Also,theseoptionstoonearHighlandElementary.EffectsonPublicHealth:noise,airquality,moretrafficschoolofdeafandhighland(schoolswithin schools....JGEMS,etc.).Effectsonlocal/regionaleconomy:Itwouldincreaseneighborhoodblightaslivabilityandpropertyvaluesdecrease.Effectontrafficconditions:Thiswouldcompletelychangeflowofpine,hickory,etc.Wehaveanice littleneighborhoodoverhereletskeepitthatway.Effectsonnaturalenvironment:increasedairpollutionondenslypopulatedneighborhoodandadjacent;12schools.Other:existingsinglefamilypropertyvaluewouldplumett.butnot propertytax. Wequestiontheneedforanotherbridgeatall,butifitmusthappen,preferoptions2Aor2B. Hello,MywifeandImovedintoourhouseinthe"RiverValleyDrive"neighorhoodabout3yearsago.WelovethefactthatourlittleneighorhoodisquiteandabitsecludedoffofthemainstreetofWallaceRoad.Lookingoverthealternatives proposedfornewbridgesImustexpressthatIamVERYagainstanyoftheproposalsthatcomeclosetomyhouseonRiverValleyDr.AnyofthealternativesthatconnectwithHopeAveIwouldNOTliketoseehappen.Your"displacement"of homeswouldbehorriblylarge.NottomentionIcan'timaginetheamountofvalueourhousewoulddrop.IfyoumustdoanyoftheproposedalterativesIwouldbeinfavorofeither1.Nobuild2.2Aor3.2B Theseoptions,Ifeel,wouldbetheleastofanyimpactofdisplacementofhomesandbusinessesintheWestSalemarea.

289 158 A Socioeconomics Smith,Cy&Sandy

290 158 291 159 A B Alternative Preference Socioeconomics Smith,Cy&Sandy NoBuild;second choice:2Aor2B Residentialimpactsin Staehlin WestSalem

292 159 293 160 A Alternative Preference B Cost/Funding Alternative4'snot financiallyfeasible NoBuild Staehlin Stark Besides,thecostinvolvedofanyoftheAlternative"4's"wouldbeWAYWAYtoohigh! Ifollowthenewsconcerningourcommunityclosely.IhavebeenlookingattheoptionsfortheSalemRiverCrossingProjectDraft. IsupporttheoptiontoDONOTBUILDanotherbridgeacrosstheWillametteRiverinSalem. Ithinkweshouldbefocusingourresourcesonmasstransitandlookforwardtowardatimewhenfossilfuelswillbealimitedcommodity. Again,myoptionisDONOTBUILDorNOBUILD. Thankyoufortheopportunitytocommentonthenewbridgelocation.Anyofthe3or4alternativeswillworkgreat.The1and2alternativesareunacceptableastheydonotaddressthecongestionatthebottlenecksonbothsidesofthe currentbridge.Inordertoalleviatethecongestion,thetraffichastobedivertedoffofWallaceRoadanddowntownatsomeotherlocationthanthecurrentbridgesystem.Alternatives3and4diverttrafficatareasoutsidethecurrent bottleneck.

294 161 A Alternative Preference Alt3orAlt4A through4E Stout

295 162 A Parks/Recreation ImpactstoWallace MarinePark Sugahara,Kenji LivingandworkinginWestSalemandusingallthebridgesandparksIhavethefollowingobservations/opinions;ThecreationofaMarineDrivebyWallaceMarinewouldnegativelyimpacttheLivabilityofWestSalem.Thestudyhasindicated anyimpactwouldbedeminims.Itismyopinionthatthisassertionistenableatbest.Theincreaseintrafficwouldrestrictaccesstothepark.Anysonofelevatedstructurewouldbeaneyesore(liketheviaductinSeattle)andwoulddetractfrom thepark.(2Bwouldbedisastrousforthepark).Furthermore,thisdoesnothingtorelievecongestionandwouldinfactincreasecongestionattheWallace/GlenCreekinterfaceandincreasewaittimes.Itwouldalsonegativelyimpactbusinesses suchastheCourthouseAthleticClub,Roth's,theUSPSandtheapartmentsintheareaasitwouldincreasetrafficsignificantlytherebymakingentryandegressmoredifficult.IncreasingthewidthofWallacetoGlaneswouldnegativelyimpact businessesintheareaespeciallywiththeconstructionofmedians.ThedesirabilityofbusinessestolocateinWestSalemwouldbenegativelyimpacted.Theleastobjectionableversionwouldbe4A.Thereasonsbeingisthatitwouldminimize impacttoWallaceMarineParkandwouldhelpreducecongestiononWallaceandatthesametimenotimpactingbusinessesandwouldpreventWallacefrombecomingaGlanemonstrosity.ThiswouldalsoservetotaketrafficoutofWallace inWestSalem.ThosetowardtheOrchardHeightsareawouldlikelychoosethenorthbridgetherebyrelievingcongestionfurthersouth.TheotherpieceisthatitwilldecreasetrafficonCommercialSt.attheUnionSt.intersectionasafternoon trafficinthisareabacksupaspeoplearemostlytryingtotakearighttogoacrossthel\/clarionSt.Bridge.(Thistrafficwillbeshiftedtowardthenorthbridge)Ifthathappensitmaybeviabletoputthatroadonadiet(evenifitisonlya3040% reductionintraffic)andthusmakeiteasiertocrossatthatintersectiontherebyincreasingconnectivitytotheUnionSt.Bridge.2AwoulddonothingtoalleviatecongestiononWallaceRd.astrafficwouldstillmeetattheGlenCreekRd.and Wallaceinterface.Longersignaltimesatthisintersectionwouldleadtobackups.2BwouldhaveasignificantnegativeimpactonWallaceMarineParkasstated aboveandwouldhavenegativeconsequencesforWestSalembusinesses.3Aacceptablebuttooexpensivewhencomparedto4.4BwouldstillnegativelyimpactWallaceMarinParkandwouldhavenegativeconsequencesforWestSalem businesses.4C/4D/4EsubstantialnegativeimpactonWallaceMarinePark.

296 163 A Alternative Preference Alt4E Sutton Pleasedonotconsideroptions1and2.ExpandingthecurrentbridgesdoesNOTHINGforthesurfacetraffic.Thebestoptionofcourseisthemostexpensive(4E)whichwouldremovethethroughtrafficfromsurfacestreets.Thiswouldbethe mostbeneficialforcommuters,travelersandpeoplewholiveonbothsidesoftheriverthatcurrentlyhavetraffic24/7bytheirhomes(ieWallaceRoadandLiberty/Commercial).Thebestoptionofcourseisthemostexpensive(4E)whichwould removethethroughtrafficfromsurfacestreets.Thiswouldbethemostbeneficialforcommuters,travelersandpeoplewholiveonbothsidesoftheriverthatcurrentlyhavetraffic24/7bytheirhomes(ieWallaceRoadandLiberty/Commercial)

297 164 298 165 A A Alternative Preference Alternative Preference Alt4E Sutton Weareinfavorofthelastplanalthoughitisthemostexpensive.Let'splanaheadforfutureuseandminimizetheimpactontheresidentialstreetsandareas.ThereneedstobeabypassthroughresidentialSalemforthetravelerstoPortland crossingtheWillamette.Currentbridges,locationsdonotallowforgoodtrafficflow. It'swisetoaddanotherbridgeinthispost9/11worldtoreducethepotentialimpacttothelivesandlivelihoodsofpeopleinOregon,shouldanyofourexistingbridgeseverbeattacked.Myconcernisheightenedbythefactthatlastyear,Isaw twomiddleeasternlookingmen,onbikesonthebikebridges,whohadstoppedandweretalkingwhilelookingatandpointingtotheundersideofthebridges. Ifanearthquakeoccurredandtookoutabridge,havinganotherexistingbridgetohandletraffic,seemsprudent.

Buildasecondbridge Swanson,Lindy

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A 1 ID# 166 300 167

B SubID# A

C Category Alternative Preference Alternative Preference

D Subcategory Alt3orAlt2A

E Name Swanson,Keith

F Comment Ipreferthe3and2Aalternatives.Threeappearstoallowformuchsmoothertrafficflowthroughthecity.WideningtheoldbridgeswillfacilitateintowngrowthandwillstimulategreatercommercebetweenthetwopartsofSalem.

Alt3orAlt2A

Swanson,Lindy

301 168 A Alternative Preference NonDEISalternative Swint

IpreferAlternative3plus2A,thenorthernmostbridgeandwideningexistingbridges.Anelevatedroadisaliabilityintheeventofanearthquake,evenmoreso,giventhatthiswillbebuiltneartheriverwhereunderlyinggroundisgravel.The groundcouldliquefybridgescouldfallonexistingprimaryarteries.Thenorthernmostbridgeavoidsthispotentialliability. TheSalemMonthlynewspapercommentedre:thereducednumberof20yearold'sdriving.Thisisduetotheeconomy.Theycan'tfindjobs,sotheycan'taffordcars.Assoonastheeconomyrecoversthetrafficflowwillincreaseandthebridges willbethere,justintime,tohandletheneed. Thirdbridge: Iwouldproposeathirdbridgethattooktraffic(southbound)fromCommercialandDivisionStreetovertheWillametteanddepositthetrafficonhighway22goingwest.Thebridgecouldtrafficfromhighway22goingeastanddepositthat trafficattheCommercialandDivisiongoingnorth. Somecharacterizationofthisplanwouldbe: 1.NotraccouldexitontoWallaceroad 2.NotracfromWallaceroadcouldaccessthebridge 3.NotraccouldexittoRosemont 4.NoRosemonttraccouldaccessthebridge TheprimarypurposeofthebridgewouldbetoprovideabypassofthelocaltrafficexitingtoWallaceandRosemont.Trafficthatwasnotlocal(suchaspeoplegoingtoWOU,OceanbeachesortheSpiritMountainCasinowouldnotbetyingup thetrafficintersectionatCommercialandMarionstreet.TherightturntheycurrentlyhavetomakestartsthemonanadvancegameofbumpercarastheyseektomergetotheleftastrafficfromFrontStreetseekstomergerightontheMarion streetbridge.AnincidentalfactormightbethereductionintrafficfinerevenuefromthephotocamerasattheintersectionofCommercialandMarionStreet. OnthewestsideoftheWillamettetheplanwouldnotrequireanysignificantchangeinthecurrenttrafficpatternbecausenobypasstrafficwouldbeimpactingtheWallaceRdtrafficeithernorthorsouthbound.Ontheeastsidetheimpact wouldbelesstrafficatMarionandCommercialandfewercarsseekingtomergeacrossthreelanesoftrafficinashortdistance. ItisforeseeablethatsomeredesigningoftheintersectionofCommercialandDivisionwouldbeneededandfurthernorthalongCommercialtoprovideforbridgebypasslaneONLYlanes.Laneblockingwouldhavetobeinstalledtoprevent mergersinadangerousfashion.ThedesignmechanicalelementsIleavetocivilengineersbecauseIamnotone.WiththatsaidIforeseeabridgeusingspiralrampssimilartothebridgeapproachrampsinAstoria.Ialsoseeabridgehighup similartothenorthboundexitrampsfromI5nearEugeneasonegoesontothebeltline.Thedisturbancedownonthegroundwouldbelimittolargeconcretepillars.InshortnochangeintheMarionStreetBridgeandnochangetothe railroadbridge.Itisnotesthatthegreenwayalonghighway22paralleltoEdgewaterisnotaparkbuthighwayrightwayandthatisavailable. Thislocationwouldtakeadvantageofpriorengineeringstudiesforbedrock,rivertraffic,andenvironmentalstudies. LastofallCommercialstreetinSalemisactuallyFederalhighway99andthiswouldserveasabasisforfederalfunding.

302 169 A Alternative Preference NonDEISalternative Tanksley,Paul IamtoodisabledtoattendbutsaddenedbythefactthatyouhaveapparentlyignoredmyinitialemailthatsuggestedaroutefromI5downMissionSttoaplacewhereafreewaycouldbeplacedinparallelwithMissionalongBushParkand WillametteUniv.propertytoabridge"head"thatwouldcrossovertoMBrownIslandanconnecttoHWY22NearCapitolManor.ThecrossingintoWestSalemsolvesnothingwithrespectthetrafficfromI5tothebeachorthemountains!!Let mesuggestthatgettingemergencyserviceacrosstheriverisunimprovedbytheWestSalem"plan:" Ifthepurposeoftheprojectistoreducecongestionbecauseofgrowth...Didyouconsidertrafficcirclesateachendofthecurrentbridge? IcamefromOlympiawhichhadasimilarproblemwithit'swestsidebridge.Thetrafficcircleswerecontroversialbutdidsolvethetrafficflowproblem. Likehere,theyhadsignificantbackupsduringmorningandafternoonworkrush.Thetrafficcircleseliminatedthebackup. Thiswouldbeamuchcheaperandenvironmentallysoundsolutionthanbuildinganewbridge. Thebestcaseforabridge,inmyopinionisaccess.Ifanearthquakehappened,itwouldbemorelikelythatonebridgemightsurvive.withoutareasonablealternative,theconsequenceoflosingthesolebridgecouldbeterribleinanemergency likeanearthquake. 171 A Alternative Preference Nonewnorthern bridge Tobias,Rick Myhousefallssquarelybetweenthetwoalternativesyouaretalkingabout.AndIhavetotellyou,Iamdirectlyopposedtoboth.Idonotseedestructionofneighborhoodsasabenefittoanyone,andthatiswhatthisrepresentstomy neighborhood.IbelievethatpeopleneedtounderstandthatwhatthisreallyrepresentsisnotabridgetoWestSalem,butwhatthisreallyrepresents,accordingtothedocumentationthatyouhavepreparedandIhaveacopyofathome.This isreallyafreewaytothecoast.Idon'tseethatasbeinganupfrontstatement.It'smentionedintheopeningstatementoftheenvironmentaldocument,andithasbeenrepeatedinanumberofdifferentplaces,butit'snotbroughttothe forefront.Ifthisisafreewaytothecoast,pleasesayso.Ifit'sanythingelse,thenpleasetakeoutanyreferencetothefreewaytothecoast.IntheEnvironmentalImpactStatementtherearefourpointsthatIthinkarewell,threethatarebeing made,andafourthoneisincorrect.IhavephotographsofaBaldEagleinatreeinmybackyard.IbelievethenestisdirectlyinthepathofOption4A.Myneighboralsohaspicturesofmynextdoorneighboronthesouthalsohasphotographs oftheBaldEagleinhistrees.ThereareOspreyintheparkintheimmediatenorthofthisarea.TheyarenotmentionedintheEnvironmentalImpactStatementatall,andIdoknowfromridingmybikeacrosstherailroadbridgethattheytravelall thewaydowntotherailroadbridge,thedeepchannelonthewestsideoftheriver.Thereishabitatbothofthesewerewoundback.There'snomentionintheEnvironmentalImpactStatement.Myneighbor'shouse,2515FrontStreetisthe originalfarmhouseinthatneighborhood.It'sover100yearsold.It'snotintheEnvironmentalImpactStatement.2575FrontStreethasanarchitecturalstylethatisreminiscentofFrankLloydWright.WhenwevisitedtheGordonHousein Silverton,theywereveryinterestedincomingtolookatourhouse.Wehavenotdonethat,butitshouldbedone.

303 170 A Alternative Preference NonDEISalternative Tate

304

305

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A 1 ID# 172

B SubID# A

C Category Purpose&Need

D Subcategory Noneedforanew bridge

E Name Tomczyk

F Comment Salemdoesnotneed,norcanitafford,anewbridgeovertheWillametteinthecityofSalem.Improvementstotheexistingbridgesandthestreetnetworkseastandwestofthebridgeswillmeetthepurposeandneedoftheproject,andwillbe affordablethereforewillbebuiltwithinareasonabletime.Pleaseconsiderthefollowing 1.NeedTheDEISdoesnotestablishthatthereisaneedforanewbridge.Itisacknowledgedthatthereareshorttermbottlenecksattheexistingbridgesduringweekdaypeakhour,rushtimes.[1]Buildinganewbridgeisnotnecessaryto meetthestandardsofthePurposeandNeedstatementintheDEIS.Allofthealternatives,excepttheNoBuildAlternative,willdecreasecongestionlevels,improvepedestrianandbicycleaccess,improvefreightmobility,improvetransittravel time,andaccommodateemergencyvehicleaccessacrosstheriverintheeventthatoneofthebridgesisclosedtemporarily.AllofthebuildalternativescanreasonablyaccommodatetheneedarticulatedintheDEIS. Noneofthealternativesoffersacceptablemobilitylevelsatallcriticalintersectionstestedinthestudy.(DEISTable3.1.33)InfactmanyoftheintersectionswouldoperateatalowercapacitythantheNoBuildalternative.(SeeNoBuildvs. alternatives3,4A,forWallaceRoadandOrchardsHts;alsoLibertySt.andPine,NoBuildvs.4A,4B,4C;LibertySt.andCenterSt.,vs.allalternatives.DEIS3123andES2)ThestudyshowsthatcommutertimebetweenGlenCreekRd.and downtownSalemwillbeshortenedbyapproximately5minuteswiththeadditionofathirdbridgeversusimprovingtheexistingbridgesandapproaches.DEIS3125. ODOTdidstudiesin2008and2009todeterminetheimpactofimprovedtransitandnonmotorizedvehicletravelonfuturetrafficfigures.Thosenumbersareoutofdateandneedtobeupdatedbaseduponrecentlyacknowledgedfuture reductioninvehiclemilestraveled.ItisevidentthatOregoniansaredrivingfewerandfewermiles.Traffichasdeclinedprecipitouslyinthelast10years.The19.7billionmilesOregoniansdrovein2010was1.2billionmileslessthanin2002. (Oregonian,5/7/2012)Drivinghasnotincreasedastheeconomyslowlyimproves.ItcontinuestodeclineandMattGarrett,ODOTdirector,seesthetrendcontinuing.TheDEISdoesnotaccuratelyreflectthedecreaseintheneedformore highwaycapacityinthefuture. TheDEISdoesnotadequatelyjustifytheneedforanewbridgeinSalem.TheDEISdoesnotaccuratelyreflectthedecreaseintheneedformorehighwaycapacityinthefuture.TheDEISdoesnotadequatelyjustifytheneedforanewbridgein Salem.

306 172 B Cost/Funding Tomczyk 2.FundingTheDEISdoesnotindicatehowanewbridgewouldbepaidfor,inspiteofthefactthat7ofthe8alternativesareover$300million.ThefinalEISwillnotbeapproveduntilfundingissecured.(DEISES36,111)Bythattime,the cityandODOTwillhaveselectedapreferredalternative.Fundingshouldbepartandparcelofthedecisionregardingwhichalternativeischosen.Otherwisethecommunitydoesnothavethefactsitneedstomakeareasoneddecision. ConsideringtheenormouslyexpensivealternativesthatareintheDEISitisirresponsibleforthiscommunitytocommittoanalternativethatmayneverbefundedbecausethecostistoohigh.Itwouldbefarbettertoselectimprovementsthat haveahighlikelihoodofbeingconstructedinthenearfutureinordertorelievelegitimatecongestionconsiderations. Withoutadoubt,anewbridgewillbepartiallypaidforbytolling.AllbridgesinSalemwouldbetolled,toavoidtheproblemofthemajorityoftravelersusingthenontolledbridges.(DEIS3216)Tollingwillleadtoreductionsinuse,whichwill mayresultininsufficientfundstopayforthenewbridge.[2]Inaddition,tollinghasadisproportionateimpactonlowincomeresidents,becausetollsareahigherproportionoftheirincome.(DEIS3216) Tollingwouldpayforonlyaportionofthecostofanewbridge.Themajorityofthefundswouldcomefromelsewhere.BothODOTandthefederalgovernmentarescalingbackfundsforlargeconstructionprojects,focusinginsteadonrepairing andmaintainingexistinginfrastructure.Theadditionalmoneywillcomefromlocaloptionssuchasgastaxordevelopmenttaxes.Thiscommunityneedstobeawareofhowanewbridgewillbefinancedbeforecommittingtospendhundredsof millionsofdollars. 307 172 C Traffic Buildaltsnot Tomczyk consistentwithstate policies 3.OregonTransportationCommissionPolicy1GTheOTCwillneedtoreviewandapprovethealternativeselectedandinsurethatitisconsistentwiththepoliciesintheOregonHighwayPlan.However,theDEISdoesnotdiscussOTCpolicy 1G.Policy1Gstates: ItisthepolicyoftheStateofOregontomaintainhighwayperformanceandimprovesafetybyimprovingsystemefficiencyandmanagementbeforeaddingcapacity.ODOTwillworkinpartnershipwithregionalandlocalgovernmentstoaddress highwayperformancesandsafetyneeds. Action1G.1 Usethefollowingprioritiesfordeveloping***projectplanstorespondtohighwayneeds.Implementhigherprioritymeasuresfirstunlesslowerprioritymeasureisclearlymorecosteffectiveorunlessitclearlybettersupportssafety, growthmanagement,orotherlivabilityandeconomicviabilityconsiderations.Plansmustdocumentthefindingswhichsupportusinglowerprioritymeasuresbeforehigherprioritymeasures. 1.Protecttheexistingsystem.Thehighestpriorityistopreservethefunctionalityoftheexistinghighwaysystembymeanssuchasaccessmanagement,localcomprehensiveplans,transportationdemandmanagementimprovedtraffic operations,andalternativemodesoftransportation. 2.Improveefficiencyandcapacityofexistinghighwayfacilities.Thesecondpriorityistomakeminorimprovementstoexistinghighwayfacilitiessuchaswideninghighwayshouldersoraddingauxiliarylanes,providingbetteraccessfor alternativemodes(e.g.bikelands,sidewalks,busshelter)extendingorconnectinglocalstreets,andmakingotheroffsystemimprovements. 3.Addcapacitytotheexistingsystem.Thethirdpriorityistomakemajorroadwayimprovementstoexistinghighwayfacilitiessuchasaddinggeneralpurposelanesandmakingalignmentcorrectionstoaccommodatelegalsizevehicles. 4.Addnewfacilitiestothesystem.Thelowestpriorityistoaddnewtransportationfacilitiessuchasanewhighwayorbypass. 1999OregonHighwayPlan,p.85. ItdoesnotappearthattheNoBuildalternativeadequatelyaddressedtheimpactofimprovingaccessmanagementonWallaceRoad,orotherlocalstreetconnectivityimprovementsasrequiredbythefirsttwoprioritiesabove.Although MarineDriveisintheSalemTSP,itisnotmentionedasoneoftheimprovementsthatareassumedintheNoBuildalternative.DESI228.Inaddition,theNoBuilddoesnotaddresscriticalaccesscontrolonWallaceRoadwhichwouldgreatly increasethroughmovementsalongthatstreet.ImprovementstotheapproachtothepedestrianbridgeinWestSalemshouldalsobeimplementedbeforejumpingtoalowerpriorityinPolicy1G. Alternative2Awouldaddcapacitytotheexistingsystem,thethirdhighestpriorityfortheOTC.TheverylastandlowestpriorityfortheOTCisconstructionofanewbridge.Failuretoaddressthesecriticalprioritiesshowsalackofunderstanding ofODOT'sprocessandresponsibilitytobeagoodstewardofstatetransportationfunds.

308 172 D Traffic Alternativemobility standards Tomczyk 5.MobilityStandardsTheDEIShasnotaddressedtherevisedmobilitystandardsadoptedinDecember2011bytheOTC.ThemobilitystandardsintheDEISarebasedonthecity'sstandardsforcitystreetsandoutmodedstatemobility standardsforthestatehighways.Thestatestandardsareflexibleandmanyurbanareasareacknowledgingthattheclassic,idealstandardscannotbemetthereisnowaytobuildourwayoutofcongestioninmanycommunities.TheOTC's recentlyadoptedflexiblemobilitystandardsallowreviewonacasebycasebasis.Inaddition,thenewpolicyincludesacommitmenttoimprovesystemefficiencyandmanagementbeforeaddingcapacity.Thesepoliciesmustbeaddressed beforeapreferredalternativecanbechosen.(OHPp.73)

309

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A 1 ID# 172

B SubID# E

C Category Traffic

D Subcategory Newbridge alternativesdon't addresscongestion

E Name Tomczyk

F Comment 6.RelocatingCongestionTheDEIStrafficstudiesindicatethatunacceptablecongestiononthecurrentbridgesoccursapproximatelyonehourinthemorningandevening,fivedaysaweek.(DEIS37and310)Thestudiesshowthat buildinganewbridgenorthofdowntowndoesnotcreateasignificantimprovementinmobilityoverwideningandimprovingthecurrentbridges.MostofthepeakhourcommutertrafficisstillgoingtothecenterofSalem.Infact,the Alternatives3andallofthe4screatecongestionproblemsinnorthSalem.TheintersectionofanyofthealternativeswiththeParkwaywillcreatebarrierstowalkersandbikers.

310 172 F Socioeconomics Reidentialand businessimpacts Tomczyk 7.SocialImpactinNorthSalemInadditiontothedetrimenttothetransportationnetworkinnorthSalem,thenorthSalembridgealternativeswilleliminateupto120homesandupto75smallbusinesses.(DEISES29)Thedraft environmentalimpactstatementestimatesthatthelossofthosebusinesseswouldcauseareductionoffrom$201,000to$318,000peryearinpropertytaxes,comparedto$109,000iftheexistingbridgesandtheirapproachesareimproved.It doesnotcalculatethenumberofindividualjobsthatwouldbelost.Relocatedbusinessesreceivereasonablemovingcostsandamaximumof$10,000toattempttoreestablishtheircustomerbase.Maysmallbusinesseswillnotsurvive.(See ODOTpamphletMovingBecauseofHighwayorPublicProjects?)TheDEISalsopointsoutthatthesealternativesandotherswillencourageshopperstouseKeizerStationandareasnorthandwillnegativelyimpactstoresindowntownSalem. TheDEISmustanalyzetherealcostoftheimpactofnewbridgesontheSalemeconomy. Tomczyk 8.Goal3ExceptionAccordingtotheTransportationPlanningRule,OAR660division12,anewhighwaymaynotbebuiltinanExclusiveFarmUseZoneunlessthereisnootheralternativethatcanreasonablyaccommodatetheneedinnon resourceland.Allofthebuildalternativesexcept2Aand2BwouldcrossEFUland.Asnotedabove,therearereasonablealternativesthatdonotcrossEFUland.Therefore,itwillnotbepossibletojustifyagoalexceptionfromPolkCounty.Itis irresponsibletofurtheranyofthealternativesthatwouldrequireagoalexceptionknowingthatitisnotjustifiable. 9.WideningtheExistingBridges,Alternative2AistheOnlyReasonableAlternativeWideningtheexistingbridgesandimprovingthelocalstreetnetworkisthebestalternative. Alternative2AasanalyzedincludestheconstructionofMarineDriveonlytoaGlenCreekRoadextension.Severaloftheotheralternatives(2B,4C,4Dand4E)includeanewMarineDrivetoOrchardHeightsorbeyond.MarineDriveis alreadyintheSalemTSP.BuildingitouttoOrchardHeightsorfurtherwouldreducecongestionattheintersectionsofEdgewater,Taggert,GlenCreekandOrchardHeightswithWallaceRoad,tolevelsconsistentwiththosealternativesthatcost hundredsofmillionsofdollarsmore. Alternative2Ameetsalloftheneedsgoals.AlthoughtheDEISbrieflydismissestheuseoftheexistingpedestrian/bikebridgeforemergencyvehicleuse,itisavalidoptionintheeventthatbothbridgesarerenderedunusable.Thestudy notesthatintheeventofabridgeclosure,whichhappensrarely(3or4timesinthelast5years)emergencyvehiclescouldusethenewlyconstructedpedestrian/bicyclepath.Itisengineeredforuptoa40,800poundfireengine.(DEIS11718) However,thestudydismissesthisoptionbecausetheemergencyvehicletimewouldbe"substantiallygreater"thanifithadanunencumberedalternativebridgefurthernorth.Thereisnoevidenceinthestudytosupportthisstatement.Ifan ambulancefromCapitalManorweretravelingtothehospital,itwouldbeamuchshorterdistance,andmostlikelylesstime,togoacrossatthecloserPedestrianBridgeandontothehospital,thantogoallthewaytonorthSalem,andthen backsouthtothehospital.Summarilydismissingthisoptiondoesnotadequatelyconsidertheadvantagesofimprovingthecurrentbridgesratherthanbuildingexpensivenewonesthatdon'tsolveSalem'scongestionproblems.Firesuppression needscanbemetinWestSalembykeepingthewestSalemfirestationsopen. 2Aistheleastexpensivealternativeandtheonethatcanbecompletedthesoonest(3yearsvs.5years) The4(f)studyindicatesthatAlternative2AwouldnotnegativelyimpacttheprimaryrecreationalareasinWallaceMarinePark.Mostofthepillarsrequiredtowidentheexistingbridgeswouldbeplacedinparkinglotareas,andthelandis alreadyownedbyODOTasrightofway.(DEIS3277) TheimpactonRiverfrontParkfromAlternative2AisprimarilytotheparkinglotoftheGilbertHouse.Thoseimpactscanbeeasilymitigated.Arequiredstormwaterretentionpondcanactuallybeanattractivefeatureratherthana minimallynegativeimpact. 313 MarionSquareParkwouldbeimpactedby2A,inthewayitiscurrentlydesigned.(DEIS3281,3282)However,underthecriteriaofSection4(f),ifnofeasibleandprudentalternativeexists,theFederalHighwayAdministrationcan determine,inconjunctionwithlocalauthorities,thatthe4(f)impactisacceptable.Thelocalcommunityhassomediscretioninthatdecision.Itisclearthatwhenfacedwiththeenormousdifferenceincostbetweenwideningtheexistingbridges andthesocialimpactofconstructinganewoneinnorthSalem,thealternatives3and4sarenotprudentorfeasible.TheFHWAwillconsultwiththecommunitytodetermineiftheimpacttoMarionSquareParkisdeminimisorifitcanbe mitigated. AlternativelyitappearsfromthecurrentdesignthattheeastsidebridgeheadtotheMarionStreetbridgecouldbemovedslightlyeast,takingpartoftheBaptistChurchproperty(notthechurch)andRiteAidParkinglot,sotheextralanes neededtoturnrightonthebridgewouldnotimpactMarionSquarepark.ODOTshouldanalyzethisoption. 314 172 315 172 316 172 317 172 318 172 319 172 320 172 321 O Traffic Moreinfoneeded Tomczyk TheDEISneedstoseriouslyanalyzetheresponsetimeforemergencyuseofthecurrentpedestrian/bicyclebridgeaspartofAlternative2A. N LandUse M Traffic Statepolicicesnot addressed Tomczyk TheanalysisdoesnotaddressOregonTransportationCommissionpolicy1G. Alternative2Ameetsalloftheneedsandgoalsoftheproject,andthereforeaGoal3exceptionfromPolkCountywillnotbejustifiable. L Traffic Updateanalyses Tomczyk K Socioeconomics Moreinfoneeded Tomczyk Additionalinformationisneededastotherealeconomicimpactofclosingbusinessesbecauseofnewbridgeconstruction,andthetotaljobslost. Trafficstudiesareoutofdate. J Traffic Moreinfoneeded Tomczyk I Cost/Funding Moreinfoneeded Tomczyk SummaryTheDEISmusthaveadiscussionoffundingoptionsforthecommunitytomakeareasoned,responsibledecisionregardingalternatives. Additionalstudyisrequiredtodeterminetheimpactof2AincludingthecompletionofMarineDriveandimprovementsinlocalstreetnetworkandaccesscontrolinwestSalem.

311 172 G LandUse Goalexceptions

312 172 H Alternative Preference Alt2A Tomczyk

Alt2Aanongoal Tomczyk exceptionalternative

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SALEMRIVERCROSSINGDEISCOMMENTS

A 1 ID# 172

B SubID# P

C Category Parks/Recreation

D Subcategory Moreinfoneeded

E Name Tomczyk Comment TheDEISneedstolookmorecloselyatpossibleoptionstomitigateorminimizeimpactstoMarionSquarePark. [1]AlltrafficanalyseswerebaseduponAMandPMpeakhours.DEIS37

[2]WhenWashingtoninitiatedtollingonhighway#520,muchofthetrafficdivertedtoI90,leavinga35%40%reductionintheuseofthenewtollway. 322 173 A Alternative Preference Alt2A Tomczyk,Tom Salemdoesnotneed,norcanitafford,anewbridgeovertheWillametteinthecityofSalem.Improvementstotheexistingbridgesandthestreetnetworkseastandwestofthebridgeswillmeetthepurposeandneedoftheproject,andwillbe affordablethereforewillbebuiltwithinareasonabletime.Pleaseconsiderthefollowing 1.NeedTheDEISdoesnotestablishthatthereisaneedforanewbridge.Itisacknowledgedthatthereareshorttermbottlenecksattheexistingbridgesduringweekdaypeakhour,rushtimes.1Buildinganewbridgeisnotnecessarytomeet thestandardsofthePurposeandNeedstatementintheDEIS.Allofthealternatives,excepttheNoBuildAlternative,willdecreasecongestionlevels,improvepedestrianandbicycleaccess,improvefreightmobility,improvetransittraveltime, andaccommodateemergencyvehicleaccessacrosstheriverintheeventthatoneofthebridgesisclosedtemporarily.AllofthebuildalternativescanreasonablyaccommodatetheneedarticulatedintheDEIS.Noneofthealternativesoffers acceptablemobilitylevelsatallcriticalintersectionstestedinthestudy.(DEISTable3.1.33)InfactmanyoftheintersectionswouldoperateatalowercapacitythantheNoBuildalternative.(SeeNoBuildvs.alternatives3,4A,forWallaceRoad andOrchardsHts;alsoLibertySt.andPine,NoBuildvs.4A,4B,4C;LibertySt.andCenterSt.,vs.allalternatives.DEIS3123andES2)ThestudyshowsthatcommutertimebetweenGlenCreekRd.anddowntownSalemwillbeshortenedby approximately5minuteswiththeadditionofathirdbridgeversusimprovingtheexistingbridgesandapproaches.DEIS3125.

323 173 B Traffic Updateanalyses Tomczyk,Tom ODOTdidstudiesin2008and2009todeterminetheimpactofimprovedtransitandnonmotorizedvehicletravelonfuturetrafficfigures.Thosenumbersareoutofdateandneedtobeupdatedbaseduponrecentlyacknowledgedfuture reductioninvehiclemilestraveled.ItisevidentthatOregoniansaredrivingfewerandfewermiles.Traffichasdeclinedprecipitouslyinthelast10years.The19.7billionmilesOregoniansdrovein2010was1.2billionmileslessthanin2002. (Oregonian,517/2012)Drivinghasnotincreasedastheeconomyslowlyimproves.ItcontinuestodeclineandMattGarrett,ODOTdirector,seesthetrendcontinuing.

324 173 C Cost/Funding Moreinfoneeded Tomczyk,Tom 2.FundingTheDEISdoesnotindicatehowanewbridgewouldbepaidfor,inspiteofthefactthat7ofthe8alternativesareover$300million.ThefinalEISIAlltrafficanalyseswerebaseduponAMandPMpeakhours.DEIS37willnotbe approveduntilfundingissecured.(DEISES36,III)Bythattime,thecityandODOTwillhaveselectedapreferredalternative.Fundingshouldbepartandparcelofthedecisionregardingwhichalternativeischosen.Otherwisethecommunity doesnothavethefactsitneedstomakeareasoneddecision.ConsideringtheenormouslyexpensivealternativesthatareintheDEISitisirresponsibleforthiscommunitytocommittoanalternativethatmayneverbefundedbecausethecostis toohigh.Itwouldbefarbettertoselectimprovementsthathaveahighlikelihoodofbeingconstructedinthenearfutureinordertorelievelegitimatecongestionconsiderations.Withoutadoubt,anewbridgewillbepartiallypaidforbytolling. AllbridgesinSalemwouldbetolled,toavoidtheproblemofthemajorityoftravelersusingthenontolledbridges.(DEIS3216)Tollingwillleadtoreductionsinuse,whichwillmayresultininsufficientfundstopayforthenewbridge.2In addition,tollinghasadisproportionateimpactonlowincomeresidents,becausetollsareahigherproportionoftheirincome.(DEIS3216)Tollingwouldpayforonlyaportionofthecostofanewbridge.Themajorityofthefundswouldcome fromelsewhere.BothODOTandthefederalgovernmentarescalingbackfundsforlargeconstructionprojects,focusinginsteadonrepairingandmaintainingexistinginfrastructure.Theadditionalmoneywillcomefromlocaloptionssuchasgas taxordevelopmenttaxes.Thiscommunityneedstobeawareofhowanewbridgewillbefinancedbeforecommittingtospendhundredsofmillionsofdollars.

325 173 D Traffic Statepolicicesnot addressed Tomczyk,Tom 3.OregonTransportationCommissionPolicyIGTheOTCwillneedtoreviewandapprovethealternativeselectedandinsurethatitisconsistentwiththepoliciesintheOregonHighwayPlan.However,theDEISdoesnotdiscussOTCpolicyIG. PolicyIGstates:ItisthepolicyoftheStateofOregontomaintainhighwayperformanceandimprovesafetybyimprovingsystemefficiencyandmanagementbeforeaddingcapacity.ODOTwillworkinpartnershipwithregionalandlocal governmentstoaddresshighwayperformancesandsafetyneeds.ActionIG.lUsethefollowingprioritiesfordeveloping***projectplanstorespondtohighwayneeds.Implementhigherprioritymeasuresfirstunlesslowerprioritymeasureis clearlymorecosteffectiveorunlessitclearlybettersupportssafety,growthmanagement,orotherlivabilityandeconomicviabilityconsiderations.Plansmustdocumentthefindingswhichsupportusinglowerprioritymeasuresbeforehigher prioritymeasures.2WhenWashingtoninitiatedtollingonhighway#520,muchofthetrafficdivertedto190,leavinga35%40%reductionintheuseofthenewtollway.Protecttheexistingsystem.Thehighestpriorityistopreservethe functionalityoftheexistinghighwaysystembymeanssuchasaccessmanagement,localcomprehensiveplans,transportationdemandmanagementimprovedtrafficoperations,andalternativemodesoftransportation.Improveefficiencyand capacityofexistinghighwayfacilities.Thesecondpriorityistomakeminorimprovementstoexistinghighwayfacilitiessuchaswideninghighwayshouldersoraddingauxiliarylanes,providingbetteraccessforalternativemodes(e.g.bikelands, sidewalks,busshelter)extendingorconnectinglocalstreets,andmakingotheroffsystemimprovements.Addcapacitytotheexistingsystem.Thethirdpriorityistomakemajorroadwayimprovementstoexistinghighwayfacilitiessuchasadding generalpurposelanesandmakingalignmentcorrectionstoaccommodatelegalsizevehicles.Addnewfacilitiestothesystem.Thelowestpriorityistoaddnewtransportationfacilitiessuchasanewhighwayorbypass.1999OregonHighwayPlan, p.85.ItdoesnotappearthattheNoBuildalternativeadequatelyaddressedtheimpactofimprovingaccessmanagementonWallaceRoad,orotherlocalstreetconnectivityimprovementsasrequiredbythefirsttwoprioritiesabove.Although MarineDriveisintheSalemTSP,itisnotmentionedasoneoftheimprovementsthatareassumedintheNoBuildalternative.DESI228.Inaddition,theNoBuilddoesnotaddresscriticalaccesscontrolonWallaceRoadwhichwouldgreatly increasethroughmovementsalongthatstreet.ImprovementstotheapproachtothepedestrianbridgeinWestSalemshouldalsobeimplementedbeforejumpingtoalowerpriorityinPolicy1G.Alternative2Awouldaddcapacitytotheexisting system,thethirdhighestpriorityfortheOTC.TheverylastandlowestpriorityfortheOTeisconstructionofanewbridge.FailuretoaddressthesecriticalprioritiesshowsalackofunderstandingofODOT'sprocessandresponsibilitytobeagood stewardofstatetransportationfunds.

326 173 E Traffic Altmobilitystandards Tomczyk,Tom notaddressed MobilityStandardsTheDEIShasnotaddressedtherevisedmobilitystandardsadoptedinDecember2011bytheOTC.ThemobilitystandardsintheDEISarebasedonthecity'sstandardsforcitystreetsandoutmodedstatemobilitystandards forthestatehighways.Thestatestandardsareflexibleandmanyurbanareasareacknowledgingthattheclassic,idealstandardscannotbemetthereisnowaytobuildourwayoutofcongestioninmanycommunities.TheOTC'srecently adoptedflexiblemobilitystandardsallowreviewonacasebycasebasis.Inaddition,thenewpolicyincludesacommitmentto"improvesystemefficiencyandmanagementbeforeaddingcapacity".Thesepoliciesmustbeaddressedbeforea preferredalternativecanbechosen.(OHPp.73) RelocatingCongestionTheDEIStrafficstudiesindicatethatunacceptablecongestiononthecurrentbridgesoccursapproximatelyonehourinthemorningandevening,fivedaysaweek.(DEIS37and310)Thestudiesshowthatbuildinganew bridgenorthofdowntowndoesnotcreateasignificantimprovementinmobilityoverwideningandimprovingthecurrentbridges.MostofthepeakhourcommutertrafficisstillgoingtothecenterofSalem.Infact,theAlternatives3andallof the4screatecongestionproblemsinnorthSalem.TheintersectionofanyofthealternativeswiththeParkwaywillcreatebarrierstowalkersandbikers.

327 173 F Traffic Congestionnot relievedwithnew bridge Tomczyk,Tom

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A 1 ID# 173

B SubID# G

C Category Socioeconomics

D Subcategory Residentialand businessimpactsin NorthSalem

E Name Tomczyk,Tom

F Comment SocialImpactinNorthSalemInadditiontothedetrimenttothetransportationnetworkinnorthSalem,thenorthSalembridgealternativeswilleliminateupto120homesandupto75smallbusinesses.(DEISES29)Thedraftenvironmental impactstatementestimatesthatthelossofthosebusinesseswouldcauseareductionoffrom$201,000to$318,000peryearinpropertytaxes,comparedto$109,000iftheexistingbridgesandtheirapproachesareimproved.Itdoesnot calculatethenumberofindividualjobsthatwouldbelost.Relocatedbusinessesreceivereasonablemovingcostsandamaximumof$10,000toattempttoreestablishtheircustomerbase.Manysmallbusinesseswillnotsurvive.(SeeODOT pamphlet"MovingBecauseofHighwayorPublicProjects?")TheDEISalsopointsoutthatthesealternativesandotherswillencourageshopperstouseKeizerStationandareasnorthandwillnegativelyimpactstoresindowntownSalem.TheDEIS mustanalyzetherealcostoftheimpactofnewbridgesontheSalemeconomy.

329 173 H LandUse Goalexceptions Tomczyk,Tom Goal3ExceptionAccordingtotheTransportationPlanningRule,OAR660division12,anewhighwaymaynotbebuiltinanExclusiveFarmUseZoneunlessthereisnootheralternativethatcanreasonablyaccommodatetheneedinnon resourceland.Allofthebuildalternativesexcept2Aand2BwouldcrossEFUland.Asnotedabove,therearereasonablealternativesthatdonotcrossEFUland.Therefore,itwillnotbepossibletojustifyagoalexceptionfromPolkCounty.Itis irresponsibletofurtheranyofthealternativesthatwouldrequireagoalexceptionknowingthatitisnotjustifiable. 9.WideningtheExistingBridges,Alternative2AistheOnlyReasonableAlternativeWideningtheexistingbridgesandimprovingthelocalstreetnetworkisthebestalternative.Alternative2AasanalyzedincludestheconstructionofMarineDrive onlytoaGlenCreekRoadextension.Severaloftheotheralternatives(2B,4C,4Dand4E)includeanewMarineDrivetoOrchardHeightsorbeyond.MarineDriveisalreadyintheSalemTSP.BuildingitouttoOrchardHeightsorfurtherwould reducecongestionattheintersectionsofEdgewater,Taggert,GlenCreekandOrchardHeightswithWallaceRoad,tolevelsconsistentwiththosealternativesthatcosthundredsofmillionsofdollarsmore.Alternative2Ameetsallofthe"needs" goals.AlthoughtheDEISbrieflydismissestheuseoftheexistingpedestrianbikebridgeforemergencyvehicleuse,itisavalidoptionintheeventthatbothbridgesarerenderedunusable.Thestudynotesthatintheeventofabridgeclosure, whichhappensrarely(3or4timesinthelast5years)emergencyvehiclescouldusethenewlyconstructedpedestrianbicyclepath.Itisengineeredforuptoa40,800poundfireengine.(DEIS11718)However,thestudydismissesthisoption becausetheemergencyvehicletimewouldbe"substantiallygreater"thanifithadanunencumberedalternativebridgefurthernorth.Thereisnoevidenceinthestudytosupportthisstatement.IfanambulancefromCapitalManorwere travelingtothehospital,itwouldbeamuchshorterdistance,andmostlikelylesstime,togoacrossatthecloserPedestrianBridgeandontothehospital,thantogoallthewaytonorthSalem,andthenbacksouthtothehospital.Summarily dismissingthisoptiondoesnotadequatelyconsidertheadvantagesofimprovingthecurrentbridgesratherthanbuildingexpensivenewonesthatdon'tsolveSalem'scongestionproblems.FiresuppressionneedscanbemetinWestSalemby keepingthewestSalemfirestationsopen.2Aistheleastexpensivealternativeandtheonethatcanbecompletedthesoonest(3yearsvs.5years)The4(f)studyindicatesthatAlternative2Awouldnotnegativelyimpacttheprimaryrecreational areasinWallaceMarinePark.Mostofthepillarsrequiredtowidentheexistingbridgeswouldbeplacedinparkinglotareas,andthelandisalreadyownedbyODOTasrightofway.(DEIS3277)TheimpactonRiverfrontParkfromAlternative2A isprimarilytotheparkinglotoftheGilbertHouse.Thoseimpactscanbeeasilymitigated.Arequiredstormwaterretentionpondcanactuallybeanattractivefeatureratherthanaminimallynegativeimpact.MarionSquareParkwouldbe impactedby2A,inthewayitiscurrentlydesigned.(DEIS3281,3282)However,underthecriteriaofSection4(f),ifnofeasibleandprudentalternativeexists,theFederalHighwayAdministrationcandetermine,inconjunctionwithlocal authorities,thatthe4(f)impactisacceptable.Thelocalcommunityhassomediscretioninthatdecision.

330 173 I Alternative Preference Alt2A

331 ItisclearthatwhenfacedwiththeenormousdifferenceincostbetweenwideningtheexistingbridgesandthesocialimpactofconstructinganewoneinnorthSalem,thealternatives3and4sarenotprudentorfeasible.TheFHWAwillconsult withthecommunitytodetermineiftheimpacttoMarionSquareParkisdeminimisorifitcanbemitigated.AlternativelyitappearsfromthecurrentdesignthattheeastsidebridgeheadtotheMarionStreetbridgecouldbemovedslightlyeast, takingpartoftheBaptistChurchproperty(notthechurch)andRiteAidParkinglot,sotheextralanesneededtoturnrightonthebridgewouldnotimpactMarionSquarepark.ODOTshouldanalyzethisoption.SummaryTheDEISmusthavea discussionoffundingoptionsforthecommunitytomakeareasoned,responsibledecisionregardingalternatives.Additionalstudyisrequiredtodeterminetheimpactof2AincludingthecompletionofMarineDriveandimprovementsinlocal streetnetworkandaccesscontrolinwestSalem.Additionalinformationisneededastotherealeconomicimpactofclosingbusinessesbecauseofnewbridgeconstruction,andthetotaljobslost.Trafficstudiesareoutofdate.Theanalysisdoes notaddressOregonTransportationCommissionpolicy1G.Alternative2Ameetsalloftheneedsandgoalsoftheproject,andthereforeaGoal3exceptionfromPolkCountywillnotbejustifiable.TheDEISneedstoseriouslyanalyzetheresponse timeforemergencyuseofthecurrentpedestrianbicyclebridgeaspartofAlternative2A.TheDEISneedstolookmorecloselyatpossibleoptionstomitigateorminimizeimpactstoMarionSquarePark.

332 173 J Cost/Funding Newbridge alternativesnot financiallyfeasible Tomczyk,Tom ItisclearthatOOOTandthecityhavespentmillionsofdollarsandseveralyearsonthisstudy.Ihavehadabout2weekstoreviewitbutIhopemycommentswillbeappropriate.Iamurgingyoutochoosealternative2Aforthefollowing reasons:.FundingInspiteofthefactthatthe7ofthe8alternativesareover$300million,thereisnofundingformulaintheOEIS.Thatwillbedeterminedlater,afterthepreferredalternativeischosen.Itisirresponsibleforthiscommunityto committoanyoneofthesealternatives,especiallythemoreexpensiveones,withoutknowinghowwewillbeabletopayforthem.Withoutadoubt,anewbridgewillbepartiallypaidforwithtolls.Mostlikelyallofthebridgeswillneedtobe tolled,inordertoinsurethatagoodpercentageofthetrafficwillusethenewbridge.Howevertollswouldonlypayforasmallfractionofthecost.Themajorityofthefundswillneedtocomefromelsewhere.Severaloftheproposedalternatives wouldcostahalfbilliondollars,asmuchasOregon'sshareoftheColumbiaRiverCrossingBridge,aprojectwithmuchhigherprofileandneed.AsweseewiththeColumbiaRiverCrossing,neitherthefederalgovernmentnorthestate governmenthasfundsforlargescaletransportationprojects.Theadditionalmoneyneededforconstructionwillcomefromthecityandthecounties.AnarticleintheOregonian(5r7)pointsoutthatOOOTfacesyearsofsignificantdebt paymentsafterunprecedentedborrowingoverthelastdecade.Thefederalgovernment'sinfrastructurebankisdepletedandpartisanbickeringinCongresshaspostponedANYmeaningfulactiononafederaltransportationbillfor.IfOregon can'tcomeupwith$350millionfortheColumbiaRiverCrossing,amuchhigherprofileprojectIhantheSalemBridgeCrossing,itisclearthatthestatewillnotparticipateinfundingtheSalembridgecrossing.Moneywillhavetoberaisedlocally. Somepossibilitiesincludealocalgastaxorothertaxlevieswhichundoubtedlywillbeunpopular.Moneyspentonanewbridgeisnotavailableforbuses,fixingroads,police,firestations,swimmingpools,parks,etc.sotherewillbealasting effectonmanyotherprogramandneedsinthearea. 2.NeedTheOEISdoesnotestablishthatthereisaneedforanewbridge.Itisacknowledgedthatthereareshorttermbottlenecksattheexistingbridgesduringweekdaypeak,rushhourtimes.Butbuildinganewbridgeisnotnecessarytomeet thestandardsofthepurposeandneedstatementintheOEIS.Ingeneral,theNeedsstatethatmobility,safetyandotherconsiderationsshouldbeimprovedoverthecurrentsituation.Allofthebuildalternativesandthealternativeofexpanding thecurrentbridges(2A)meetthatcriteria.Allofthemimprovemobilityandincreasesafetyandmultimodaluses.Noneofthealternativesoffersacceptablemobilitylevelsatallcriticalintersectionstestedinthestudy.SeeDEISTable.3.1.33.In factsomeoftheintersectionswouldoperateatalowercapacitythanthenobuildalternative.(Seebuildvsallalternativesexcept4B,forWallaceRoadandOrchardsHts;also,LibertySt.&CenterSt.,allalternatives.DEIS3123andES27)The studyshowsthat,commutertimebetweenGlenCreekanddowntownSalemwillbeshortenedbyapproximately5minuteswiththeadditionofathirdbridgeversusimprovingtheexistingbridgesandapproaches.DEIS3125Howmanymillions ofdollarsareafewminutesworth?TheDEISprojectsaneverexpandingneedformorecapacityinandthroughSalem.However,itisevidentthatOregoniansaredrivingfewerandfewermiles.Traffichasdeclinedprecipitouslyinthelast10 years.The19.7billionmilesOregoniansdrovein2010was1.2billionmileslessthanin2002'(Oregonian,517)Drivinghasnotincreasedastheeconomyslowlyimproves.Itcontinuestodecline,andMattGarrett,directorofODOT,seesthetrend continuing.Culturallyandeconomically,lifecenteredaroundcarsisnottheworldwearelivinginanymore.TheDEISdoesnotaccuratelyreflectthedecreaseinneedformorehighwaycapacityinthefuture.

333 173 K ProjectandNeed Noneedforanew bridge Tomczyk,Tom

334

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A 1 ID# 173

B SubID# L

C Category Traffic

D Subcategory Mobilitystandards

E Name Tomczyk,Tom

F Comment 3.MobilityStandardsThemobilitystandardsusedintheDEISarebasedonthecity'sstandardsforcitystreetsandoutmodedstatemobilitystandardsforthestatehighways.Thosestandardsareflexibleandmanyurbanareasareacknowledging thatthestandardscannotbemetthereisnowaytobuildourwayoutofcongestioninmanycommunities.TheOregonTransportationCommissionjustrecentlyamendedtheOregonHighwayPlanpolicy1Ftoacknowledgetheneedforflexible mobilitystandardsinmanyurbanareas.InthepasttheOTChasagreedtohighermobilitystandardsonacasebycasebasis.NowthatprocessismoreflexibleanddoesnotrequiretheOTC'sreviewineachcase.Inaddition,thenewpolicy includesacommitmentto"improvesystemefficiencyandmanagementbeforeaddingcapacity".Policy1G,adoptedDecember12,2011.Thesepolicieswillneedtobeaddressedbeforeapreferredalternativecanbechosen. 4.RelocatingcongestionTrafficstudiesindicatethatunacceptablecongestiononthecurrentbridgesoccursapproximatelyonehourinthemorningandevening,fivedaysaweek.SeeDEIS37and310.Thestudiesshowthatbuildinganew bridgenorthofdowntowndoesnotcreateasignificantimprovementinmobilityoverwideningandimprovingthecurrentbridges.MostofthepeakhourcommutertrafficisstillgoingtothecenterofSalem.Infact,theAlternatives3andallof the4screatemanycongestionproblemsinnorthSalem.TheintersectionofanyofthealternativeswiththeParkwaywillcreatebarrierstowalkersandbikers.Thelogisticsofgettingonandoffthebridgetoandfromthelocalneighborhoodsis complicatedandconfusing.

335 173 M Traffic Trafficcondtionsnot relievedwithnew bridge Adverseimpactsto bikesandpeds Tomczyk,Tom 5.SocialImpactinNorthSalemInadditiontothedetrimenttothetransportationnetworkinNorthSalem,thenorthSalemalternativeswilleliminateupto120homesand75smallbusinesses.DEISES29Thelocationofnewbridgeheadsin NorthSalemisinthemiddleoflowandmiddleincomeneighborhoodswherepeoplerelyonwalkingandbikingtogettoFredMeyers,school,churchesandbusinessesintheneighborhood.Theironyofconstructingamultimilliondollarbridgein themiddleofaneighborhoodoflowincomeresidents,ahighpercentageofwhomareminority,sothatWestSalemdriverscanaccessKeizerShoppingCenterand15doesnotescapenotice.Thisisnottherightthingtodointhistimewhenthe economyisstillstruggling.Thenumerouslowerincomehomesintheimpactedneighborhoodprovideadequatehousingforhundredsofpeople.Replacingthathousingataratethatisaffordabletothemwillbedifficultifnotimpossible. Especiallyatthistime,thereisalimitedamountofaffordablerentalhousingavailableinSalem.Mostofthealternativesplaceadisproportionateburdenonworkingclassandlowerincomecitizens.Theprojectwillreimbursebusinessesfortheir capitallosses.Butiftheownerdoesnotreestablishthebusinessinanotherlocationthatparticularbusinesswillnolongeremploypeopleandcontinuetocontributetothelocaleconomy.Someofthesesmallbusinessarebarelyholdingon,and theshockoffindinganewlocation,movingandreestablishingacustomerbasemaybeenoughtoconvincethemtoquitentirelyorputthemoutofbusinesseveniftheytrytoreestablishtheirbusiness.

336 173 N Traffic

337 173 O Alternative Preference Alt2A Tomczyk,Tom 6.Whowillusethenewbridges?Trafficnumbersdonotindicatethatnewbridgeswillhaveasignificantimpactoncongestiondowntown.IfWestSalemcommutersuseoneofthenumbered3or"4"alternatives,theywillendupdowntown anywaycontributingtocongestionatpeakcommutetime.NewbridgeswillcertainlyhelpshoppersinWestSalemaccessKeizerShoppingCenter,insteadofgoingdowntown.Theproposednewbridgeswillprimarilybenefitfarmersandindustry inPolkCountytryingtoaccess15and15traffictravelingtothecoastorCasinos.Bothofthesegroupscanusethenonpeakhourstocrossthecurrentbridgesatmosthoursofthedaywhenthereisnocongestion.Alternatively,abridgeat LockhavenDriveinKeizerwouldkeepcongestionoutofanalreadycongestedarea,servebothpopulations,andwouldnotdisplacenearlyasmanyhomesandbusinessesasthenewnorthbridgesareprojectedtodo.7.WideningtheExisting Bridges,Alternative2AItisclearthatwideningtheexistingbridgesindowntownisthebestalternative.Thatalternativemeetsallofthe"Needs"goals.AlthoughtheDEISdownplaystheuseoftheexistingpedestrian/bikebridgeforemergency vehicles,thatisaviableoptionintheeventthatbothbridgesarerenderedunusable.Thechancesofbothbridgesbeingoutofcommissionisunlikelytostartwith.Andintheeventofalargeearthquake,thereisnoguaranteethatanewbridge wouldbeusableeither.Buteitherway,theDEISsaysthatemergencyvehicleswillneedtogoslowlyoverthepedestrian/bikebridge.However,thebridgeisnotverylong,anditisclosertothehospitalandfirestationsthanthenorthernbridge locations.Itislikelythatthetimefrom,forexample,RosemontAve.toSalemHospitalwouldbeshorteroverthepedestrianbridgethangoingnorthandthenbacksouth,evenifthevehicledoesneedtoslowdownonthebridge.Asforfire protection,WestSalemcouldreopenthefirestationthatwasjustclosedforatinyfractionofthecostofanewbridge.2Aistheleastexpensivealternativeandtheonethatcanbecompletedthesoonest(3yearsvs.5years).

338 173 P Section4(f) Parkimpactsunder Alt2Aareminor Tomczyk,Tom The4(1)studyindicatesthatAlternative2AwouldnotnegativelyimpacttheprimaryrecreationalareasinWallaceMarinePark.Mostofthepillarsrequiredtowidentheexistingbridgeswouldbeplacedinparkinglotareas,andarealready ownedbyODOTasrightofway.DEIS.3277.DEIS3.2773278indicatethattheimpactonRiverfrontParkfromAlternative2AisprimarilytotheparkinglotoftheGilbertHouse.Thoseimpactscanbeeasilymitigated.Arequiredstormwater retentionpondcanactuallybeanattractivefeature,ratherthanaminimallynegativeimpact.MarionSquareParkwouldbeimpactedby2A,inthewayitiscurrentlydesigned.DEIS3281,3282.However,underthecriteriaofSection4(1),if nofeasibleandprudentalternativeexists,theFederalHighwayAdministrationcandetermine,inconjunctionwithlocalauthorities,thatthe4(1)impactisacceptable.Thelocalcommunityhassomediscretioninthatdecision.Itisclearthatwhen facedwiththeenormousdifferenceincostbetweenwideningtheexistingbridgesandthesocialimpactofconstructinganewoneinnorthSalem,thealternatives3and45arenotprudentorfeasible.TheFHWAwillconsultwiththecommunity todetermineiftheimpacttoMarionSquareparkisdeminimis,orifitcanbemitigated.Surelywiththehundredsofmillionsofdollarsthatcanbesavedbynotbuildinganewbridge,Salemcandevelopparklandelsewhereintheneighborhood tomitigatefortheimpacttoMarionSquarePark.Alternatively,itappearsfromthecurrentdesignthattheeastsidebridgeheadtotheMarionStreetbridgecouldbemovedslightlyeast,takingpartoftheBaptistChurchproperty(notthe church)andRiteAidParkinglot,sotheextralanesneededtoturnrightontothebridgewouldnotimpactMarionSquarepark.Thatalternativedoesnotseemtohavebeenconsidered,butshouldbewiththemoneyandotherintereststhatare atstake.

339 173 Q Traffic Tomczyk,Tom Constructallof MarineDriveaspart ofAlt2A Alt2Amostcost efficientwayto addresscongestion Tomczyk,Tom 8.ReducingCongestionCongestionatthewestendofthecurrentbridgescouldbeconsiderablyreducedbyworkingonthelocalstreetnetwork,addingaccesscontrolalongWallaceRoad,andbuildingMarineDrive,alreadyaplannedstreetin WestSalem.Thedifferenceinthecostofbuildingnewbridgesversusexpandingthecurrentbridgesisbetween150and560milliondollars.Thatamountofmoneycangoalongwaytowardrelievingcongestiononlocalstreets. CurrentlyAlternative2AdoesnotincludecompletionofMarineDriveuptotheintersectionofOrchardHeights.MarineDriveisalreadyinthetransportationsystemplan.Constructingitinconjunctionwithwideningtheexistingbridgeswould addresscongestionlevelsattheintersectionsofEdgewater,Taggert,GlenCreekandOrchardHeights.ThatreducesthenumberofovercapacityintersectionsinAlternative2Aby4,whichbringsAlternative2Aonaparwiththosethatcost hundredsofmillionsofdollarsmore.

340 173 R Traffic

341 173 342 173 T Alternative Preference Alt2A Tomczyk,Tom SummaryEveryalternativeinthestudymeetsthepurposeandneedandgoalsofthestudy.ItisirresponsibletocommittheenormoussumsofmoneyandthedevastatingsocialcostfornewbridgestonorthSalem.BothGovernorKitzhaberand theOregonTransportationCommissionareencouragingcommunitiestousealltransportationdollarswisely.Weneedtogetthebiggestbangforthebuckandmaximizethemostbenefitfortheleastcost.DoweneedtheCadillacsystemorcan wegetbywithaFordandnotincurhugedebtobligationsthatwillnegativelyimpactmanyhigherpriorityprogramsforyearstocome?Widentheexistingbridges,addMarineDrive,institutemeasurestoreducetheneedformoreandmore transportationfacilities.Thentakeanotherlookin1015yearsandseewhereweare.Ifatthatpointanotherbridgeiswarranted,lookattheLockhavenDrivelocationinKeizer,whichwouldhaveamuchlessdevastatingimpactonhomesand businessesandamuchmoredirectconnectionto15.IurgeyoualltomakeadecisionthatbenefitsallofSalem/KeizerandthesurroundingareabychoosingAlternative2A. Itseemslikethatwouldmakealotofsense,toimproveflowonthebridgeandaccomplish,Ithinkforalotlessmoney,youwouldaccomplishalmostasmuchasyouwouldfromanextrabridgefromwhatIcanseefromlookingatthetraffic studies,andthat. S Traffic Encouragealternate Tomczyk,Tom modes nadditionthecityshouldworkmorecloselywiththestategovernmenttoencourageflexibleworkhours,carpoolingandtelecommutingtoreducethenumberofcommutersdrivingintocentralSalemduringpeakrushhourperiods.Finally,the communityneedstoshowmoresupportformasstransitandbicyclingtoreducehighwaydemand.

343 174 344 A Alternative Preference Alt2A Tomczyk,Tom

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A 1 ID# 174

B SubID# B

C D Category Subcategory EnvironmentalJustice ImpactstoEJ communities

E Name Tomczyk,Tom

F Comment Theotherimpact,ofcourse,withalotofbridgesistheimpact,thehousesthatwouldbedisplacedinNorthSalem,andIdon'tknowhowmanyinWestSalemthatwouldbedisplaced.Butalotofthosearetheworkingclassandlowerincome peoplethatwouldhaveahardtimetryingtoreplacethatsizeofahouseatthosepricesanywhereintheirneighborhoods.Andalotofthemareprettytiedtotheirneighborhoods.Thatwouldbeaprettybighardshipfocusedononegroupthat isleastabletopay,andmove,andreplacewhattheyhave. Thesamewithalotofthebusiness.Alotofthesmallerbusinesseswouldjustgooutofbusiness,becausetotrytoreplacethecustomerbase,andthebusinessitselftheygiveyousomemoney,Iunderstandthattheybuythemout,butthere's somestuffyoucan'tputapriceon,likecustomerbase,andlocality.Sothat'saconcern,justthatit'saninequitableburdenonafacetofthepopulationthatisleastabletoadjust.

345 174 C Socioeconomics Businessimpacts Tomczyk,Tom

346 174 D Traffic Congestionnot relievedwithnew bridge Tomczyk,Tom Andlookingatthebridgesthemselves,likeespecially3,tome,lookslikeit'smorejustaconnectiontorunpeoplefromI5folksgoingtothecoast,orcomingup.Itseemslikethatdoesn'treallyhelpsomuchwiththemobilityrightin downtown.BecauseofthemosttrafficseemstobecommutertrafficcomingofftheWestSalemhillsgoingdowntown,ordowntoSouthSalem,orwhenevertheyworkinthemornings,andcomingbackintheevenings.Andthosenorthern bridgesseemliketheywouldn'thelpthatthatmuch.AfewpeoplethatlivenorthofWallaceRoadwouldprobablybebenefittedbyit,butIthinkthere'salotmorebenefitwideninganexistingbridgeandimprovingdowntowntrafficflow.Andit seemssomeofthestuffIwouldliketoseeaddedtothefinalEAisextendingMarineDrivetoBrushCollege,whichisin2Arightnow. Andevenconsideringapedestrianbridgebythecarouseldowntown,becausethat'sabottleneckwhenpeoplepressthebuttontowalkacrossthestreet,orwhentheyhavethedifferenteventsgoingonatRiverFrontPark.Andthatbacksup ontothebridge,andslowsdowntheefficiencyofthebridge.Soifyoucouldputawalkingbridgeortunneltoeliminatethatsignalsoyoudon'thaveasignaluntilyougetoverpasttheBoiseCascadeBuilding,thenthatwouldhelpwiththeflow onthedowntownside.Ithinkthat'sthemainthing. Ihadahardtimeintheretryingtofigureoutimpactstobusinesses,becauseittalksaboutnumbersofbusinessesimpact,butitdoesn'tsayisit40peopleemployed,orone?Andjusttosaytwobusinessesisnotequaltotwobusinesses.There needstobeabettersay,numberofjobslost,orvalueofincomeslost,ortheactualvalueoftheincomeslost,orsomethingwouldbebetter. Samewithhousing,it'shardtotellwhatkindofhomesarebeingdisplaced.It'srealhardtolookatthosechartsandmakeafaircomparisonbetweenthealternatives,becausejustbecause50houseshereand40housesthere,doesn'tnecessarily meantheyareequal,andsamewithbusinesswise.Sothatwouldbeabetterthingtolookatinthefinal,tolookattheactualvalueslost.

347 175 348 175 349 175 C Socioeconomics Residentialimpacts Tomczyk,Tom B Socioeconomics Businessimpacts Tomczyk,Tom A Traffic Tomczyk,Tom

350 176 351 177 A Socioeconomics Propertyimpacts Tusant I'mpastoralstaffattheSalemEvangelicalChurch.Andsomyconcernandourconcernwouldbetheimpactitwillhaveonourpropertyandtheimpactitwillhavepeopleleavingandyouknow,comingandleaving.We'reprettyactive.We haveafullprogram,like,sevendaysaweek.Basically,SundaysandWednesdays.Youknow,ourcongregationisofsize,andwecomparesizeofchurches,youknow,inOregon.Sowe'rejustanxioustoknowandjustbekeptinformedof displacementof,youknow,property,andthenthehowpeople,youknow,willcomeandleavethechurch.In19about'64,ourchurchwasdowntownonSummerandMarion.AndwewereapproachedbytheStateofOregonthatthey neededourpropertyfortheexpansionofthecapitolmall.Andsowecametoanagreedsettlementtomovefromabeautifulbuildingthatwehadenjoyedthelocation,youknow,for40,50years.Andsonowwe'reatBroadwayandLocust Street,andwe'rewonderingif,youknow,we'regoingtohavetomakeadecisiontoagainbedisplaced. IamverydisappointedthatnewbridgeplansdonottakeintoconsiderationPolkCountyresidentsneedforbetteraccesstoSouthSalem. A Socioeconomics Businessimpacts Tusant,James Concernedabout:effectsonbusinessandvisitors;effectsontrafficconditions.

352 178 353 179 354 180 355 180 356 181 A Socioeconomics Businessand economicimpacts Walling YourrecentStatesmanJournalarticleregardingtheadditionofanewbridgecrossingtheWillametteRiverintoWestSalemiscausinggreatconcern.Thisisaconcernthatneedstobebroughttoyourattentionimmediately. AlthoughweunderstandtheneedforanadditionalrouteintoWestSalem,wefailtoseehowoneofyourproposedrouteswhichwouldseverelydisruptan80yearoldlocallyownedbusinesswouldbeconsidered,asitwoulddirectlyimpact analreadyhighlycongestedarea. Inaddition,thislatestproposalwouldroutethebridgetrafficthroughourminingoperation,whichwoulddirectlyimpactasignificantnumberofconstructioncompanieswhouseourmaterialforroadandhighwaypaving,parkinglots,curband gutter,and,ironically,bridgeconstruction. IntheimmediateSalemareathereareaveryfewgravelminingoperationswithenoughcapacitytoprovidethenecessarymaterialsformajorconstructionprojects.Shouldyourplanbeaccepted,buildersandconstructioncompanieswouldbe forcedtosourcematerialoutsidetheSalemarea,whichwouldimpactlocalbusinessesandtheiremployees. Weencourageyoutotakegreatcareinyourdecisionmakingprocessratherthaneliminateacresofopportunityforthelocaleconomy. B Socioeconomics Economicimpacts Wall,James Effectsoneconomy:alternative3or4shouldhelptheeconomyinWestSalem.Effectsontrafficconditions:howmuchoftheproposedtrafficwouldcomefromthenorthcomparedtonow? A Socioeconomics A Socioeconomics Residentialand businessimpacts Residentialimpacts Walker,Nancy Ihavespecificconcernsabouttheeffectsonresidents,businesses,andvisitors.YoumustnotaddmoretrafficandcongestiontodowntownSalem.Effectsonpublichealthandsafety/neighborhoodlivability:DirectconnectionstoSalem ParkwayandHwy22best.4Cand4D! Concernedabout:Effectsonresidents:alternatives1&2Awouldbeverydisruptiveandwouldbeonlyatemporaryfix. A Alternative Preference None;other Ulrich,Fritz

Wall,James

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A 1 ID# 182

B SubID# A

C Category Alternative Preference

D Subcategory Alt4C,4D,or4E

E Name Walsch,Richard

F Comment IamanattorneyinKeizer,Oregon.IhavebeensomewhatinvolvedinthisprocessforsometimeonKeizerCityCouncil,andtheOversightCommitteeforthebridge.AndmytermendedinJanuaryofthisyear,soIamnolongeronanyofthose committees.ButIamstillveryinterested,stillputalotoftimeintothisproject,andstillwouldliketoexpressmyopiniononthis.MymainthingthatIwanttopointoutiswhenwefirstcameupwiththeideaofconnectingtheParkwayto Highway22,whenitfirstcameupininfancy,wethoughtweweregeniusesandwethoughtthisisthewayeverybodywins.Thisisthewayeverybodywantsittowork,wecomerightofftheParkwaygorightto22.Sowehavesomebuthey, youguyscomeupandfigureouthowtodothis.Andtheycamebacktheverynextmeetingandhadallofthesechartsandgraphsandpicturesanditwaswonderful.Andthereasonitwasalldoneisbecausetheyfoundtheoldoriginalplanfor theParkwaywasexactlytodothis,tocomefromtheParkwayandgoacrosstheriverandenduponHighway22.That'showitwasdesigned,andthat'swhyitmadesense.That'swhyitstillmakessense.Andthat'swhatwegotexcitedabout. There'stwowaystolookatthisbridge.OneisthisisalocalSalemproblem,andalocalSalemissuetosolvethetrafficat5:00onweekdays,togettoWestSalemandsolvethecongestion.Ifthat'stheissue,andthat'stheproblem,thenyouneed topicksomethingotherthanissue4.Butifyouwantthistobearegionalissue,ifthisisaregionalissue,youwanttoaskthecitizensofKeizer,orthecitizensofBrooks,orthecitizensofregionalareas,orWoodburn,orpeoplefromPortlandor Metro,ortheentirecity,ifyouwanttogetallofthemexcitedaboutamajorcorridorthatyoucangetfromeasttowest,andgetacrosstheWillametteRiverandgetfromI5toLincolnCityortothecasino.Ifthat'sthebigvision,thenyouhave tohaveaprogram,aplanthatconnectstheParkwaytoHighway22.Youhavetodothat.AndIamfrightenedby4AonlybecauseIenvisionIenvisionMarkhamBridgewherewehaveaMt.HoodFreewaythatweknowwe'regoingtobuild. Let'sjustbuildstepone,andsoonerorlaterwe'lldotheMt.Hoodfreewayanditneverhappened,andwehavestubsontherefortherestofeternity.Ifwepiecemealit,there'sadangerthere.Ithinkweneedtogoalltheway,4Cor4D,and weneedtoreallyhavesomevisionhere.Andifyouhavethat,youhaveexcitementthatgoesbeyondthebordersoftheCityofSalem.IfyouwantthistobeaSalemproject,I'mnottalkingaboutthemayorofSalem,andinfact,Iammeeting withhertoday,andIhavetalkedtohertodayaboutthis.PeoplefeelstronglyaboutthisonceyouleaveSalem.IfyouwanttoinvolvepeopleoutsideofSalem,ithastobeafluid,comerightoffofI5ontotheParkway,toHighway22,andthere yougo.Andifyougotthatfluidpromisefromthebeginning,youaregoingtohavebuyinfromwayoutsideofjustSalem.Ifyoudon't,everyoneisgoingtosay,haveaniceproject.Iwishyouwell,butdonotaskusformoneyorcontributions, becauseitisaSalemCityStreetProjectifitdoesn'tinvolvetheconnectionoftheParkwayto22.

358 183 A Socioeconomics Residentialimpacts Wells,Loren Sinceyouhaveinvitedinputontheprospectivenewbridge,Idecidedtowriteyou.WeliveontheSEcornerofLibertyandHickory.Wedon'tthinktheoptionsotherthanHickory/Pineareseriousconsiderations.Wethinkit'sinevitableyour projectbewillfollowoneoftheHickory/Pineroutes.Thiswillsignificantlyimpactusandourimmediateneighbors.Ourhouseisattheapexoftheprobableintersectionbetweenourneighborhoodandyourproposedcrossing.Thisisanold residentialneighborhoodthatprovidesaffordablehousingformanylowerincomepeople.ThissegmentofHighlandismostlyresidentialsouthandeastofus.Manyofushavebeenhereforyears.Weandmanyothersnearusarenotinagood positiontomoveelsewhere.Mysuggestionwouldbeforyoutoinstallthekindsofconcretebarriersweseeonotherbusystreetstoseparateresidentialusesfromtheproposedbridge.Suchaneffortmightmakeourspacemorelivablerather thanless.Iftheprospectistotakeourhouse,ofcoursethatisanotherwholeproposition.Wehavenowhereelsetogoandnowaytogetthereifwedid.

359 183 360 183 C Socioeconomics Residentialimpacts Wells,Loren Ithinkthatbesidesthenoise,aprojectlikeyoursalsoincreasesthedangertoresidents.Itisalreadyachallengetolivewiththetrafficwehavenow.Ifwewereshieldedfromsomeofthattraffic,itseemslikewewouldbesaferandlivability wouldbeimprovedevenwithabridgecrossing.Ifyoucouldtakethisquestionintoconsideration,wewouldgreatlyappreciateyourdoingso.Iwouldbehappytotalktoanyoneanytimeonthissubject. B Noise Increasednoise Wells,Loren WhentheLiberty/Commercialcoupletwasinstalled,trafficpasthereincreasedexponentially.Weweretoldthenthatwewouldgetnobarrierbecausewealreadyexceededallowabledecibellevels.

361 184 A Alternative Preference Alt2A Weston Afterreviewingthealternatives,thereappearsonealternativethathasbeenpartiallyignored.TheAlternativethatwouldseemmostefficientandleastcostlywouldthe#2Alternatives(whichwidensthecurrentbridges)plustheadditionof wideningCommercialSt.NEtothreelanesfromPineStsouthtotheMarionSt.Bridge. AsalongtimeSalemresident,growingupinthePineandHickoryareaofNESalemandnowresidingintheWestSalemarea,IbelieveanewbridgethatcrossesatPineandHickoryandconnectsonlytoWallaceRdonthewestsidewilldovery littletoeasethecongestiononWallaceand,ifanything,exasperatetheproblemoftrafficattemptingtoconnectwithHwy22offofWallace.

362 185 A Socioeconomics Residentialimpacts Weston,WayneandBetty Ihavespecicconcernsaboutthefollowing:Effectsonresidents,businesses,andvisitors:Atthispointwethinkthat4Awouldhavemoreimpactonahugegroupofresidents,acoupleofbusinesses,itwoulddefinitelyrequiretrafficlightsat BroadwayandHickorystreets,duetoincreasedonewaytrafficonHickory.Effectsonpublichealthandsafely/neighborhoodlivability:Thisintersectioniswithin4blocksofHighlandElementarySchool,anotherbusyintersectionforthechildren Lou todealwith.Effectsontrafficconditions;HickoryStreetoneway,willstartEastatFifthstreetHickoryisalreadyprettybusywithourdoctorsofficesonthecorneratLibertyandtheChurchNorthofit(Hickoryand4thStreet).

363 185 364 185 365 185 366 186 367 186 368 186 C ProjectTimeline Moreinfoneeded Wigg Thecompletiontimelinefortheprojectisimportantforthepublictoknow.Willallalternativestakeequallyaslongtocomplete? PleaseprovidethisinformationassupplementstotheDEIS. 369 187 A Purpose&Need Bicycle/pedsafetynot Wigg,Mark astatedneed AfewcommentsontheSRCDEIS.PurposeandNeedThelistofneedsfortheprojectincludestheneedtoimprovesafetyforbicyclistsandpedestriansonthebridges.Thepurposeoftheprojectisnottoaddresstheneedsofpedestriansand bicyclistsandsothisneedshouldbedropped.Bicyclistsandpedestrianscurrentlyhavethreeoptionsforcrossingtheriverandtheyprovideadequatelysafepassageoptions.Inaddition,mostalternativeswouldnotimprovethesafetyofthe existingbikeandpedestrianfacilities,severalalternativeseitherignorethecurrentconditionsormaketheconditionsworseforbicyclistsandpedestrians. B Cost/Funding Moreinfoonfunding Wigg needed Thepotentialfundingalternativesareimportantforthepublictounderstand.Thefundingalternativesareasimportantasthelocationalternatives. A Cost/Funding Wigg ThecostofeachalternativeshouldbedisclosedintheDEIS. D Traffic C AirQuaility B Socioeconomics Residential/ neighborhood impacts Airqualityandnoise concerns Needmoreinfo Weston,WayneandBetty Effectsonpublichealthandsafely/neighborhoodlivability:Thisintersectioniswithin4blocksofHighlandElementarySchool,anotherbusyintersectionforthechildrentodealwith. Lou Weston,WayneandBetty Effectsonthenaturalenvironment(suchasairandwaterquality):Addedtraffic,addstotheAir:Addedtraffic,addstotheairpollution,andthenoiselevelwillincrease,wearethe2ndhouseNorthofHickory Lou Weston,WayneandBetty Idonotunderstandifthebridgeisbuiltinthisarea,whyareyouplanningonalsoaddinglanestothetwoexistingbridges??Whynotaddthemandforgetthethirdbridge?PeoplecomingthroughtownheadingNortharenotgoingtocome Lou clearoutheretocrossunlesstheyliveNorthofHopeAve.inW.Salem.

370 187 371 B Purpose&Need Emergencyresponse Wigg,Mark needalready addressed 1:Theneedforemergencyvehiclesisalsoadequatelyprovidedbytheexistingfacilitiesandisnotaneedoftheproject.IftheCenterandMarionStreetbridgesareblocked,emergencyvehiclescouldusetherailroadbridge.Thiswasoneofthe reasonsthecitygaveforacquiringthebridge.

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SALEMRIVERCROSSINGDEISCOMMENTS

A 1 ID# 188

B SubID# A

C Category Cost/Funding

D Subcategory Tolling

E Name Wigg,Mark

F Comment Alternatives:1.Oneofthemostimportantissuesandonethatwillhavesignificantimpactsishowtheprojectisfunded.ThefundingalternativesarenotpartoftheDEISeventhoughtheyarelikelytohavesignificantimpacts.Forexample:A. Tollingwouldaffecttheamountoftrafficonthebridges.Trafficcannotbemeaningfullyevaluatedwithoutestimatingwhattollswouldbeandwhentheywouldbeapplied.TollingSR520inSeattlehasdecreasedtrafficby2030%.B.Tollingis likelytoaffectpopulationgrowthinWestSalemasfewerpeoplemovetoWestSalemtoavoidpayingtolls.C.TollingislikelytoaffectbusinessesinWestSalemthatrelyoncustomerstocrosstheriver.D.Ifpropertytaxesareraisedtopayforthe project,otherpubliclyfundedprogramscouldsuffer.Schools,parks,roads,andemergencyservicescouldbeaffectediftheprojectisfundedthroughpropertytaxes.2.Tollingexistingbridgeswithoutbuildingnewbridgescouldbedesignedto meetthepurposeofreducingcongestiononthebridgesatmuchlowercostsandreducedimpacts.Thisalternativeshouldbeconsidered.3.Constructionofbusbypasslanesshouldbeconsideredasanalternative.Busbypasslanescouldaddress theneedtoimprovetransitserviceforWestSalemandmayhelpreducecongestion.4.TheFundingBooklet(2008)showsthattollingwillprobablybeamajorsourceoffundingfortheproject,theotherfundingoptionsrequirepublicvotesordo notraiseenoughmoney.TheDEISindicatesthatthefundingdecisionshavenotbeenmade,butthatismisleading,sincethefundingbookshowsthattollingisthemostprobablesourceoffunding.Sincetollrateswouldvarybetween alternatives,itisnotgoodpublicinvolvementtoleavethisissueuntillater.Thetollratesarelikelytoaffectthepublicsalternativepreferences.Tollsforthemoreexpensivealternativesarelikelytobefourtimeshigherthanthelowcost alternatives,thisisasignificantissueforcommuters,butyoudonotallowthemtousethisinformationinselectinganalternative.

372 189 373 189 374 189 375 189 D Traffic TDM/TSM assumptions Wigg,Mark TDMAssumptions:Theassumptionsusedinmodelingpredicttransitservicewillimprove,morepeoplewillwalkandbike,andmorepeoplewillcarpoolareveryoptimistic.Theydonotreflecthistoricaltrends.Thepercentageofpeopledriving alonehasnotchangedmuchinthelast20yearsandthetransitservicehasrecentlybeencontractingnotexpanding.Theassumptionscouldbesupportedifweassumedthebridgeswouldbetolled,butifthatistherationalefortheincrease,you needtopubliclycommittotolling.TollingdoesreduceSOVuse,dependingonthetollrates. TrafficAnalysis:Whywerenointersectionssouthofthebridgesanalyzed?Doestheteamhaveanyideaiftheseintersectionsarecurrentlyexperiencingcongestionandarenotmeetingperformancestandards?Doyouhaveanyideaofthe impactsthealternativeswillhaveontheseintersections? EnvironmentalJustice:ThealternativesthatmaketrafficworseintheGrantandHighlandneighborhoodsraiseenvironmentaljusticeconcernsthatarenotadequatelyaddressed.Whatdesignoptionsareavailabletoreducecongestioninthese neighborhoods?Thoseoptionsshouldbecomearequiredpartoftheprojecttomitigatefortheadverseenvironmentaljusticeimpacts.Tollingexistingbridgeswithoutconstructingnewbridgeswouldreduceenvironmentaljusticeimpacts.. C Cost/Funding Moreinfoneeded Wigg,Mark 2.Sincetollingappearstobetheonlyviableandmostprobableoptionforfundingtheproject,pleaseprovideanestimateofthetollingchargesforeachalternative. B Cost/Funding Constructioncosts Wigg,Mark 1.Pleaseprovideanadjustedestimateforconstructioncostsbasedonprobablestartofconstruction.Thisprojectisnotgoingtostartconstructionin2015. A ProjectTimeline Moreinfoneeded Wigg,Mark TableES1:Pleaseprovideestimatesofwhentheprojectwouldbecompleted.Whileconstructiontimeisinteresting,Ithinkpeoplereallywanttoknowwhentheycanusethenewfacilities.Itislikelytotakeacoupleyearstopreparedesigns, twoorthreeyearstoacquirether/w,andthenmoreyearstoconstruct.Ifpeopleunderstoodthattheprojectmaytaketenyearstocomplete,itmaymodifytheirbehaviororpreferenceforalternatives.

376 189 377 190 A EnvironmentalJustice ImpactstoEJ communities Wigg,Mark E Traffic Moreinfoneeded Wigg,Mark

378 190 379 191 A Alternative Preference NoBuild Williamson,Robert Iappreciateallthepeoplethathaveworkedonthisproject.Andwedoalotofpublicprojectsaroundthiscity,andIhavegotIchangedtheviewofalotofthepublicprojectsaroundthecity.Andmycommentsaregoingtobesomewhat critical,notnecessarilyofthepeoplethathaveworkedonthisproject,butofpublicprojectsinrelationtothisprojectatthesametime.Obviously,agreatexampleisCourthouseSquare.Thatwasagreatidea,butwehadsomepublicoversight thatwasn'tverygood.Andnowwe'reintroublewithit.SamewithKueblerBoulevard.IwasherebeforeKueblerBoulevardwasinstalled.IwasdisappointedthatKueblerBoulevardwastwoonelanepassingeachotherthroughthesouthof town,andIlivedoutthere.AndIsaid,howcometheydidn'tgiveasegregatedbikepathoverthatsidewalkforthekidstogoeastandwestonKuebler.Buttheengineersputbigbermsup,andthensoundwalls.Andnowlookwhatwehavedone atKuebler.WithinfiveyearswehadtoredesigntheintersectionwithKueblerandCommercialtomakearighthandturnlaneandripoutallthestufftheyhadjustputin,andnowtheyareoutthererippingstuffupandputtinginmorelanes. AndtheyputinasidewalkthatgoesrightalongKuebler.AndwhowantstoputtheirfouryearoldkidonatrainerbikerightinKueblertraffic?Now,let'stalkaboutthisbridgeproject.Isitthepurposeofthisbridgeprojecttoalleviatethe congestionofthetwobridgeswehavegot?Isn'tthatthepurpose?Well,Ithoughtitwasthepurpose.TheplanthatIhavebeenpresentedatmyofficeshowsthatwe'regoingtodiverttraffictothenorthoftown,skirtitaroundthecenterof town,anddumpitrightbackintotheothertwobridges.Whatsensedoesthatmake?Thatdoesn'talleviatethecongestion.IdroveoutonMissionStreetandcamein,andittookmeahalfhour.Whathappenedtobigideasingovernment? WhathappenedtothebigideaofusingtheBrooksInterchange,takingpropertyallthewayalongBrooksoutthroughZenaRoad,upoverthehill,andreallydivertingcoastaltrafficawayfromSalem?Iwouldencourageustohaveabigideahere sowecanplanwayahead.Thiscurrentplanisjustdividingastreamofwaterintotwoparts,anddumpingitrightbackinthesamehole.SoIwouldliketoseetheBrooksInterchange,alargeplanwithsomescope,andtakeallthetrafficinto99 byRickreall,andthat'smytwobitsandthat'swhatIthinkshouldhappen. B Section4(f) Avoidingparkimpacts Wigg,Mark underAlt2A ParkImpact:AvoidanceAlternative:Analternativeexiststhatwouldavoidparkimpactsi.e.tolltheexistingbridgesduringpeakperiodsandconstructbusbypasslanesleadingtothebridges.Thisalternativeneedstobeanalyzedindetailas avoidanceof4(f)resourcesrequiresallpossibleplanningtoavoidadverseimpactstoparks.Tollscouldbeadjustedtoalevelthatreducestrafficduringpeakperiods

380 192 A Alternative Preference NoBuild Zermer Idonotsupportthebuildingofanewbridge.Ithink,withoutlookingatwaystosupportlessdriving,athirdbridgeisnotreallylookingtoshapethefuture.Itwilljustbeamatteroftimewhenwewillwanttobuildafourthbridge. Weneedtoengageabigvisionprocesstoincludethestateinfiguringouthowtohavestateemployeesworkonthesideofthebridgetheylive.Orstaggerstart/leavetimes.WeneedtoworkwithCherriotstobuildabetterpublic transportationsystem,andencouragethepublictouseit. Sountilthosepiecesareincludedinaplan,Iamnotconvincedathirdbridgeistheanswertotrafficcongestion. Thatbeingsaid,Iwouldsupporttweakingthecurrentsystemtoimprovebettertrafficflowuntilthebigpictureitemsareinthemaking. 381 193 A Alternative Preference NoBuild;other optionsshouldbe considered Gahlsdorf Iamwonderingifanyonehasconsideredasouthernalternative.WiththevastexpansionofSouthSalemincludingtheSprague,andBattleCreekareas,whatiftherewasanalternativearoundMissionStreet?Thiswayyoucouldroutethe Eastbound22Trafficstraightthroughto22ontheEastside.Rightnowtheyaresentthroughdowntownandthenoverbytheriverfrontwhichcanbeverycongestedinthesummer,andwasnotdesignedtohaveallthecrosswalksitcurrently does. AlsothiswouldallowpeopleinSouthSalemeasieraccesstoWestSalemwithoutthemessandcongestionthatisdowntown.(NottomentiontheparkinglotthatiscreatedwhenthereareeventsattheConferenceCenter).Icommuteeveryday toWestSalemandIseealotofsimilarcarsthattraveldownthroughtheLibertyCorridorandgetstuckindowntowninthemorning.SimilarlyintheeveningthecongestionisbadgettingoutofdowntowntogoSouth.Especiallywhere Commercialsplitsfrom3lanesto2atOwens.WhynotextendMissionStreettherebytheArcoandthenhaveitconnectto22ontheotherside? 382

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