I-5 Bridge Study Expanded to Consider Possible Interchange

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r City Manager's Office City of Eugene 777 Pearl Street, Room 105 NE S RE L E A S E Eugene, Oregon 97401 (541)682-5010 (541) 682-5414 FAX (541) 682-5045 TTY www.ci.eugene.or.us May 17, 20 CONTACT: Jan Bohman, Community Relations Director, 682-5587 I-5 Bridg Study Expanded to Consider Possible Interchange The ossibility of an upgraded interchange on I-5 at Franklin Boulevard will be included in major highway study, according to local and national officials. U.S. ongressman Peter DeFazio and officials from the cities of Eugene and Springfield, ane County and the University of Oregon announced at a Monday news conference hat study of this option will be included in an expanded environmental impact statement r garding the I-5 replacement bridge over the Willamette River. The scope of the $2.7 million environmental impact statement for the permanent I-5 replacement bridge has been broad ned to include study of a new interchange at the I-5 and Franklin Boulevard/ lenwood complex. A to porary bridge is under construction and is designed to serve for a number of years until t e bridge is permanently replaced. Replacement of the current bridge provides a unique o portunity to study a new interchange which would improve access to and from I- 5from both Eugene and Springfield and would simplify and integrate the current Franklin/GI nwood exit, officials said. "I a pleased that the Oregon Department of Transportation is responsive to the idea of an interc ange," said Congressman DeFazio. "While ODOT prepares to replace the Willamette fiver Bridge, we have a perfect opportunity to study the feasibility of an interchang in the area - a way to provide a grand new a ranee to both the Cities of (more)