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<br /> 1 <br /> News Releas Ferry Street Bridge Open House <br /> June 4, 199 <br /> Page 4 <br /> I~~ Bridge and lso would provide an alternative route if reconstruction did <br /> i <br /> occur. <br /> II', The fi al alternative, Alternative 8, would offer an improved <br /> ~I <br /> interchange at I-5 and Franklin Boulevard, shifting some trips from the Ferry <br /> Street Brid a to the I-5 Bridge. However, Reinhard added that the actual <br /> number of t ips that would shift from the bridge corridor would be small and <br /> that major mprovements in the corridor would still be needed. Alternative 8 <br /> would event ally require additional analysis by the Oregon State Highway <br /> Division, a part of their long-range planning for future I-5 improvements. <br /> Reinha d said the public has repeatedly stated a desire to see <br /> I, alternative modes of transportation included in the study, and the study team <br /> II and CAC hav paid special attention to their use. "Each of the build <br /> alternative includes a proposed new bicycle/pedestrian bridge upstream from <br /> the Ferry S reet Bridge, connecting the south bank path near the EWEB plaza <br /> ',.with the no th bank path in Alton Baker Park. In addition, each build <br /> ',alternative would include adequate capacity for future increases in transit <br /> modes, as w 11 as provide for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. We also are <br /> exploring w ys to provide for future exclusive bus lanes or light rail <br /> transit in he corridor," Reinhard said. <br /> City s aff report the Ferry Street Bridge is operating at or beyond <br /> capacity ri ht now, with 60,000 vehicles crossing it every day. Rush hour <br /> congestion, difficult merges at the north and south bridge approaches, and <br /> ,bicycle and pedestrian safety are critical concerns of city transportation <br /> planners. <br /> ~ more <br /> <br />