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ODOT sets priorities for future Rex Hill bypass interchange |
By David Sale,
Newberg Graphic reporter
E-mail David at
dsale@eaglenewspapers.com
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The Oregon Department of
Transportation has announced a list of priorities in selecting its
proposed design for the Newberg-Dundee bypass’ eastern interchange,
to be located on Rex Hill.
In a Dec. 7, 2006, public meeting at Newberg High School, ODOT
officials took public testimony on their preliminary designs for the
interchange area. The general outlines of the interchange had been
established in July 2006: a Y-shaped directional interchange with
the bypass and Highway 99W separating near Corral Creek and Veritas
Lane.
“The interchange will occupy about 28.8 acres, plus another 13 for
the approach,” said Tim Potter, ODOT’s Area 2 manager. “The precise
acreage will depend on the final design and we do have a couple
options for going around the golf course.”
To date seven tax lots, an area just under three acres, have been
purchased, although right-of-way acquisitions began in December.
The recommendations of ODOT planning staff, announced last week,
are to retain the Quarry Road bridge in its present location and
realign Old Parrett Mountain Road where it meets the highway.
Planners also recommended preserving the Rex Hill Schoolhouse
between Old Parrett Mountain Road and Haugen Road, although the
right-of-way will pass close to the structure.
Surface street connections to the interchange are still under
review as part of the draft design environmental impact statement,
or DEIS, said Yamhill County Commissioner Leslie Lewis.
“There’s a number of alternatives available for the local street
interchange and ODOT is now exploring in detail the impacts those
will have on houses and agriculture, as well as the natural
environment,” said Lewis, who sits with other local elected
officials on the bypass’ Project Oversight Steering Team (POST).
One option recommended for further study is to create a frontage
road — its exact route yet to be determined — between Benjamin Road
and the proposed Crestview extension, opposite Providence Drive. An
overpass would connect traffic to Corral Creek Road and Veritas
Lane.
“When the draft is completed this fall, the POST members will
recommend alternatives for the final design environmental impact
statement, which then will require federal approval,” Lewis said.
Meanwhile, funding for the bypass is still being sought by Oregon
legislators. With the backing of state Sen. Larry George
(R-Sherwood), 10 percent of a forthcoming $500 million state bond
issue will be dedicated to the bypass and other projects of
statewide significance, but further sources will be needed.
“We don’t have any new applications for federal funding going out,”
said Jim Whitte of the Oregon Transportation Improvement Group (OTIG),
the public-private partnership developing the bypass. “Congress
works on a six-year schedule for these appropriations, so they won’t
be taking up the issue until 2009.”
OTIG is also awaiting the results of an audit of its proposal,
developed by Australian firm Maquarie Infrastructure Group, to fund
the bypass with toll collections.
The audit, being carried out by financial analysis firm Bear
Sterns, was initially expected in mid-May but will not be completed
until mid-July, Whitte said.
“ODOT has requested further analysis,” Lewis said. “The report will
not only examine Maquarie’s proposal but give an analysis of funding
the bypass as a public-sector toll road.” |
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From
June 27, 2007, Newberg Graphic
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