What Transportation Projects in Lane County Should The State Fund?

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This message tells how to participate in the development of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The development of the STIP, which is likely to be completed in Fall 2014, will have several opportunities for public participation. This notice focuses on two important meetings that will be held on December 12, 2012 and January 9, 2013 to review and prioritize project applications in Lane County.

What is the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program?

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has asked local governments to apply for funding on projects that enhance, expand, or improve the transportation system for the years 2016‐2018. Projects selected will be funded with state and federal money through the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which is the state’s four year transportation improvement program.

Applications have been submitted in response to this request. Local decision makers now want to know what you think of the project applications that have been submitted and which are the most important ODOT should fund in the Lane County area. Some of the types of projects are:

  • Bicycle and/or pedestrian facilities along the highway, like paths or sidewalks
  • Roadway projects that make it so more cars can fit on the road, like adding a lane or turn lane
  • Buying land to use for transportation projects
  • Public transportation and transit projects, like bus stops and transit stations
  • Projects that make it safer for kids to walk or ride their bikes to school, like crosswalks and teaching students how to ride safely

How to Participate

There are several ways that you can learn about this process and submit comments:

  • Attend the December 12, 2012 Lane Area Commission on Transportation (LaneACT) meeting to hear presentations from local agencies in Lane County who have submitted applications. The LaneACT, an advisory body chartered by the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC), will be recommending projects to include in the STIP. The meeting will begin at 5:30 pm and is held at the ODOT offices at 644 A Street, Springfield. Agenda materials are available at www.LaneACT.org.
     
  • Submit comments for the members of the LaneACT to consider by:
    • Submit written comments to the LaneACT. Comments received before 5:00 PM on December 26, 2012 will be sent to the LaneACT for consideration as they begin to prioritize project applications. Commenting by this date will give LaneACT the most time to consider your input.
       
    • Comment on the project applications at the January 9, 2013 LaneACT meeting. Members of the public will have 3 minutes each to provide oral comments, and can also submit more detailed written comments at the meeting. Meetings start at 5:30 pm and are held at the ODOT offices in Springfield, at 644 A Street, in the McLane meeting room. Agenda materials are available at www.LaneACT.org.
       
  • Other bodies besides the LaneACT are also considering the project applications. For project applications within the Springfield‐Coburg‐Eugene area, the Central Lane Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) will be holding its own series of meetings to collect comments and prioritize projects in the metropolitan area. The MPO will submit their list of prioritized applications to the LaneACT to consider for funding. More information about these meetings can be found at www.TheMPO.org.

Next Steps
The LaneACT must submit their list of prioritized applications by March 15, 2013. As a result, the LaneACT will continue to discuss project applications at their February and March meetings. Information is available at www.LaneACT.org.

How to Submit Comments
You can submit written comments in several ways:

Mail
Lane Area Commission on Transportation
Attn: Stacy Clauson
Lane Council of Governments
859 Willamette, Suite 500
Eugene, OR 97401

Email
Email the LaneACT at laneactcomments@lcog.org

Questions?

 

  • Contact ODOT representatives in the Lane County area:

Frannie Brindle, Area 5 Manager
644 A Street
Springfield, OR 97477
Phone: (541) 736‐9611
Fax: (541) 744‐8088
frances.brindle@odot.state.or.us

Savannah Crawford, Transportation Planner
644 A Street
Springfield, OR 97477
Phone: (541) 747‐1354
Fax: (541) 744‐8088
Savannah.Crawford@odot.state.or.us

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