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410 <br />Bus Rapid Transit <br />Proposed Three-Phased Approach to Project Review <br />Eugene\LTD BRT Policy Committee <br />2/14/01 <br />The purpose of the phased review described below is to move forward on approval of Bus Rapid <br />Transit (BRT) so Lane Transit District can proceed with the Environmental Assessment approval <br />process, subsequent design, and construction of BRT. <br />Background. A primary concern for LTD is the potential loss of $4,500,000 in federal BRT fundir <br />if the Environmental Assessment does not receive Federal Transit Administration approval by June <br />2001. The loss of these funds would make Phase 1, Eugene to Springfield, economically unfeasibl, <br />and would likely create a loss of congressional and FTA support for any future federal discretionary <br />funding of transit projects, including BRT for our area. In other words, not getting the EA approve( <br />by June will kill BRT. LTD wants a partnership with the City to collaboratively move the project <br />forward. <br />The Franklin corridor, west from 1-5, is a critical entrance into the city and there are a number of ci <br />plans that outline improvements to that corridor, including beautification, bike lanes, and wider <br />sidewalks. The inclusion of BRT in the existing 120 foot corridor without significant loss of medi <br />landscaping will mean that the addition of bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and landscaping at some th <br />in the future will require the purchase of at least 19 more feet of right-of-way, which will be costly <br />for which no funds are currently identified. <br />To avoid having to acquire 19+ feet of additional right-of-way for the corridor, the City would like <br />examine the impact of converting two of the existing vehicle travel lanes to BRT use. This would 1 <br />allow for bike, sidewalk, and beautification improvements to occur within the 120 feet of existing i <br />of way. LTD's short time frame to complete the BRT environmental assessment and secure federa <br />funding does not allow adequate time for the City's desired review of significant design alternative <br />such as removing travel lanes or widening the right-of-way another 19+ feet. <br />Phased Review. City and LTD staff propose a three-phase improvement plan for the BRT Uni <br />of Oregon/Franklin Boulevard segment, I-5 to East 110' Avenue, in accordance with the phased <br />approach described below: <br />Phase 1: Phase 1 would be implementation of the proposal described in the <br />attachments to the Council packet. That is the alternative contained within the 120-foot <br />right-of-way (with minor exceptions), inclusion of an eastbound bike lane from 13`t' <br />Avenue east, no removal of median trees except for two at bus stations, etc. Included in <br />this first phase is the addition of selected right-of-way acquisitions outside of the 120 <br />feet for beautification purposes. The City will immediately begin looking for property <br />outside of the existing right-of -way that could be acquired now for immediate tree <br />1 <br />