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Oregon Department of Transportation <br /> sly ~ <br /> FACT SHEET <br /> The W llamette River Bridge and possible ramp connections <br /> Backgro nd <br /> <br /> The Orego Department of Transportation is working to permanently replace the cracked <br /> bridges on he Willamette and McKenzie Rivers, and restore normal traffic to I-5 as quickly as <br /> possible. a are currently building temporary bridges that will be open to traffic by Sept. 1. <br /> <br /> The timelin to permanently replace the McKenzie River Bridge is expected to take at least 5 <br /> years. It wi I take longer to replace the Willamette River Bridge due to its location in an urban <br /> area, desig complexity and the required environmental clearances. The permanent Willamette <br /> River Bridg is expected to cost $100 million. These funds are coming from the Oregon <br /> <br /> Transporta 'on Investment Act (OTIA III) passed by the Oregon Legislature. The Willamette <br /> River Bridg is one of the longest bridges in the state. <br /> <br /> Are ramp onnections to Franklin Blvd. included in the construction costs of the <br /> permane t Willamette River Bridge? <br /> No. The on y funding currently committed is for the bridge replacement. The primary objective <br /> <br /> for ODOT as been to replace the bridge and restore normal traffic on I-5 as quickly as <br /> possible. here is no state funding available for ramp connections. <br /> Can ramp connections be included in the bridge project? <br /> ODOT is ju t starting the environmental process for the permanent bridge replacement. During <br /> the proces ,which could take from 3-5 years, we will evaluate a range of alternatives and <br /> analyze a n tuber of design options for the new bridge. Ramp connections will be included in <br /> the analysi of options. <br /> <br /> Will then w bridge include ramp connections? <br /> <br /> We don't k ow. It is too early to say. There are numerous environmental, social, economic, and <br /> policy issu s that need to be addressed. Those issues include: <br /> • Riparia and other environmental concerns; <br /> • Impact on the Willamette River Greenway; <br /> • Impact to a large metro area park in the project area; <br /> • The loc tion of an old landfill; <br /> • Impact on neighborhoods in Springfield and Eugene; <br /> • Busine s impacts on Franklin Blvd.; and <br /> • Federal policies for spacing standards on interstate highways. <br /> For up ated information on highway work and current travel information throughout Oregon, visit <br /> www.tripcheck.com, or call the toll-free Oregon road report at 1-800-977-6368. <br /> Visit the ODOT News Media Center at www.odot.state.or.us <br /> <br />