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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Resolution 719RESOLUTION NO. ~~ 9 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE JACKSON-JOSEPHINE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE CONSENSUS LETTER BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CENTRAL POINT, OREGON, that the Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to sign, on behalf of the City of Central Point, the April 3, 1995 Jackson-Josephine Transportation Committee Consensus Letter concerning the State Transportation Improvement Program 1996-1998 Short Term Update, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "A". Passed by the Council and its passage this ~_ day of me in authentication of 1995.. yor ATTEST: City Rep sent tive Approved by me this ~_ day of /~~, p, , 1995. Mayor Rusty rath RESOLUTION NO. 'J/9 (041495) State Transportation Improvement Program STIP 1996 -1998 Short Term Update JJTC Consensus Letter Dear Oregon Transportation Conunission Members: The communities of the Rogue Valley aze pleased to submit the 1996 - 1998 STIP Update,. Jackson -Josephine Transportation Committee (JJTC), Consensus Letter. The letter reflects the unanimous opinion of all general purpose local governments within Jackson and Josephine Counties and the local transportation district. The Consensus Letter identifies specific projects which the region believes are crucial to the management and development of the transportation system. The letter also serves to illustrate the region's desire to collaborate with the Commission and the Oregon Department of Transportation to evaluate needs and set project priorities. The Jackson -Josephine region has articulated our needs in this manner since 1990. We take pride in our `ability to identify projects, evaluate regional needs, and gain unanimous agreement on priorities. The priorities outlined below are not dissimilar to those offered for the 1995 - 1998 STIP update - we remain committed to the development of a multimodal system, integration of enhancement projects into the overall transportation system, and promotion of economic development. We fully support ODOT's project selection/development process and concur that the project selection /development process should be based upon; 1) An open, dynamic planning process (proactively developing solutions), 2) Continuous feedback, 3}Insuring the values of the people of Oregon are incorporated within ODOT's mission, and 4) Cost effective and efficient transportation solutions. We also support. your effort to shorten the process from ten to five years. Our JJTC process embodies these characteristics: save for one; cost effectiveness. Until projects aze developed, benefit and cost information aze not available. We concur that transportation projects should yield benefits in excess of their cost. Governments in Jackson and Josephine Counties apply that same standard. We believe the transportation system should be subject to the same high levels of fiscal responsibility. The historic failure of the STIP to provide regional and county equity remain a key concern of Soudrern Oregon. This breakdown in benef t distribution has made it difficult for our region to meet transportation needs. The Commission must ensur„ that transportation projects meet identified needs. The JJTC Consensus Letter and the region's transportation planning processes. with the counties,. MPO, municipalities, and transportation district provide the basis for matching needs and projects. We believe consistent application of this approach in the STIP will eliminate distortions in the geographic distribution of STIP benefits. Our region's needs are great and can only be met through joint State and local efforts.. Principal Priorities The construction of a drop-loop at the North Medford Interchange (North Medford Interchange Revision) is a key test of ODOT's ability to develop and deliver projects on time. The project is moving smoothly through development with ODOT's Medford Development Office, Design, and Environmental Sections collaborating to meet FY1997 construction (October 1996 contracting}. The region has high expectations that the project will be delivered ON-TIME. The project remains a top region priority. Development of the OR238 -Jackson Street Project and eazly construction is crucial to improving circulation in the North Medford azea. Unit 1, which will address the easterly section of the project, is scheduled for construction in 1998. Final plans for Unit 2 will follow in 1999. The goal of the project is to relieve congestion on OR238 within Medford and improve air quality in the vicinity of the OR99/OR62 junction. These are ambitious goals. The project is crucial to mitigation of these conditions and highlights the importance of expeditious construction of both units. The need for identified transportation projects has increased exponentially as development pressure continue to increase. It is crucial that both sections of the project remain on schedule. The reconstruction of 6th and 7th Couplet has been a source of frustration for the region. In retrospect, the Grants Pass 6th and 7th Streets Citizen Advisory Committee process drew primazily upon its own. resources. ODOT's technical expertise was not well represented. The process, consequently,. did not serve ODOT's or the community's needs. This project must get back on track. Its development must employ close State /local collaboration. Originally scheduled for 1998 construction in the 1995-1998 STIP, parts of the project (7th Street,. parts of 6th, and signalization) can proceed on schedule. The reconstruction of 6th in the downtown core will likely be delayed due to roadway design, parking, and air quality issues. None the less, we want the entire project held in the 1998 construction program. The Pacific Highway -Junction Crater Lake Highway (old OR140 Extension Project) is a high priority for the region. The Medford Development Office has emphasized this project in their work plan. Recently, the Rogue Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization reviewed and endorsed dropping an alternative which would have linked the existing terminus of OR140 to the IS Seven Oaks Interchange. The MPO concluded that the alternative's high cost, low benefits, and impacts on the environment virtually ensured that it would not be constructed. Dropping this alternative from further consideration permits development efforts to be focused on buildable alternatives. Jackson -Josephine Transportation Committee April 3, 1995 Consensus Letter Page 2 In addition, the Pacific Highway -Junction Crater Lake Highway project compliments other transportation and economic development efforts occurring in the Crater Lake Highway corridor. We fully support the use of lottery funds to complete transportation improvement projects which have a cleaz economic impact, such as those at the foreign trade zone adjacent to the Rogue Valley International Airport. It is crucial that the Pacific Highway project compliment the foreign trade zone project. Development and construction in 1998 of the Crater Lake Highway, Linn. to Dutton Road section, remains an important element of our overall transportation system improvement program. High population growth occurring or proposed to occur in this corridor warrants careful analysis of transportation needs. The smooth development of this project, including continuous local feedback, is crucial to our region. Reconnaissance work on the South "Y" in Grants Pass, North and South Medford Interchanges, and Medford Viaduct round-out the list of key project priorities. All of the above projects are central to our region's economic future, livability, and mobility. Prior STIP Operations /Enhancement /Modernization Commitments The following is a listing of 1995 - 1998 STIP project commitments. These projects should also be included in the 1996 - 1998 update. Rogue Valley Rideshare -all years Elk Creek Road modernization - 1996 South Valley View Road to Ashland Bikeway (enhancement) - 1996 New Hope Road modernization - 1996 Ashland Park & Ride Lot - 1997 Gold Hill Bike /Pedestrian Path (enhancement) - 1997 Jacksonville Bike /Pedestrian Path (enhancement) - 1997 Safety Projects Providing a safe transportation system is a core responsibility of State and local transportation agencies. The projects listed below aze central to ensuring that the region's transportation system remains safe. Not itemized are various IS protective screening projects in Jackson and Josephine Counties. We acknowledge the legislature's prerogative to tazget ODOT's expenditures, yet we believe that Oregon communities and ODOT's regions' working cooperatively through the STIP process, can better maximize transportation safety investments. At approximately $40,000 per screening project, the safety benefits would appear to fall far short of the cost. The following are crucial safety projects in Jackson and Josephine Counties which were included in the 1995 - 1998 STIP. These projects should also be shown in the 1996 - 1998 update. Rogue Valley Highway @ Erhman Way - 1997 U.S 199 @ Dowell Road signalization - 1997 South Valley View Road: IS to OR99 - 1998 Jackson -Josephine Transpor~atinn Committee April 3, 1995 Consensus Letter Page 3 Bridge and Preservation Projects The preservation of the existing transportation system is central to maintaining the economic well being and livability of the State. The Commission's policy to achieve 90 percent "fa_ir or better" pavement condition ratings on the State system. by the year 2010 is an ambitious goal. The goal should be achieved. Similazly, bridges must be rehabilitated to ensure their performance. Preservation and bridge projects included in the 1995 - 1998 STIP in our region include the following. We believe all should be included in the 1996 - 1998 Update. OR62 Linn to OR234 (preservation) - 1996 OR199 Applegate River to Chandler Creek (preservation) - 1996 OR238 Williams Creek Bridge - 1996 OR46 Lake Creek Bridge - 1996 Table Rock Road -Rogue River Bridge - 1996 Oregon Caves National Monument Entrance Road (preservation) - 1996 Williams Highway, Williams Creek Bridge - 1996 IS N. Grants Pass to Evans Creek (preservation) - 1997 Rogue River Loop -Robertson Bridge - 1997 Rogue River Loop - Limpy Cteek Bridge - 1997 Antelope Road -Antelope Creek fridge - 1997 Cobliegh Road -Big Butte Creek Bridge - 1997 Main Street (Trail) -Trail Creek Bridge - 1997 Pelton Lane -Sams Creek Bridge - 1997 Illinois River Road -Anderson Creek - 1997 Leonard Road -Sparrow Hawk Creek - 1997 OR238 Applegate River Bridge - 1998 Finch Road -Illinois River Bridge - 1998 Powell Creek Road -Williams Creek Bridge - 1998 Development and Reconnaissance Reconnaissance and development projects will be the region's construction projects of the future. We believe that the failure of ODOT to develop new projects in our region during the past decade have lead, at least in part, to revenue /benefit inequities. The only significant modernization, capacity adding projects within our urban azeas during the past twenty yeazs have been the Grants Pass Parkway (3rd Bridge) project and the IS Pine Street Interchange at Central Point which were constructed in 1991 and 1992, respectively. Without a consistent commitment to project development, our region's construction program will be in jeopazdy. Jackson -Josephine Transportation Committee Apri13, 1995 Consensus Letter Page 4 The following development projects were identified in the 1995 - 1998 STIP and should be included in the 1996 - 1998. update.. ORI40 -Pacific Highway (IS) to the Junction of Crater Lake Highway (OR62) final plans FY 1999 OR238 Highway 238 to Jackson. Street (unit 2) -final plans FY 1999 OR62 MP19 to Tiller Trail Highway -final plans 2000 OR99 Valley View Road to Walker Ave -final plans 2000 The region has high expectations that these development projects will be completed on schedule and be ready for construction at or near the end of the decade. We recognize that their future construction will depend upon project benefits and costs, and transportation needs. The development of a project does not necessazily guarantee its construction. Without growth in total transportation system revenues, we recognize that the priority placed upon modernization projects will fall below Yhose of preservation work. The region requests that the OR238 - City of Jacksonville Project (formerly known as the Jacksonville Bypass) be advanced from reconnaissance to development. The community will soon complete their transportation plan and select a route for this improvement. Historically,. the community's dilemma on route selection postponed advancement of this project. Now that ±he City has made its decision, it is time for a more detailed analysis of the project (recommend - final plans 1.999). Reconnaissance projects included in the 1995 - 1998 STIP and which should be included in the 1996 - 1998 update are listed below. South Medford Interchange Medford Viaduct North Medford Interchange Little progress has been made on these projects. due the importance placed upon development projects. We are anxious, to begin to see the results of this work. Additionally, one remaining interchange in the metropolitan azea should be added to the list; IS -Fern Valley Road Interchange including. Fern Valley Road to its intersection with OR99. This interchange is forecast to experience increasing demands, which it is ill designed to handle. The reconnaissance work will provide the needed insights into appropriate land development in the area. Already underway is a Transportation and Growth Management funded corridor analysis for Fern Valley Road between OR99 and the East Phoenix City Limits. This. project will provide an excellent context for the interchange reconnaissance work. Public /Private Transit Services We aze concerned about the adequacy of intercity and intrrcity transit services. Demands for accessible transit services within the region continue to grow. There is an increasing need to bolster federal, state, and local partnerships. to fund these vital services. Our consensus letter does 7ackson -Josephine Transportation Conmiittee Apri13, 1995 Consensus Letter Page 5 not specifically itemize transit needs. We believe the process for selecting Oregon Community Transportation Program and Federal Transit Administration funded projects by transit operators is effective. Conclusion The 1995 - 199$ STIP provided little evidence that our region will receive its equitable share of State transportation resources. Due to the limited nature of the 1996 - 199$ update, we've limited our additions. to reconnaissance and development projects. We recognize, given the absence of new resources, the addition of these projects will require tough choices. However, the region believes that they are crucial to the future economic prosperity and quality of life in the Southern Oregon region. Information provided by ODOT has shown the amount of dollars collected in Southern Oregon have substantially exceeded the monies expended for many years. This has caused the delay of development and reconnaissance work and, ultimately, even longer delays for construction. This negative trend of income verses expenditures must be altered to allow the correction of documented transportation deficiencies on a timely basis. We are asking for a fair distribution of funds so that our downward spiral can be reversed. Jackson -Josephine Transportation Conunittee April 3, 1995 Consensus Letter Page 6