HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrder 079 - Closure of Wimp WayDeschutes County Board of Commissioners
1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960
(541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.org
AGENDA REQUEST & STAFF REPORT
For Board Business Meeting of September 24, 2008
Please see directions for completing this document on the next page.
DATE: September 15, 2008
FROM: George Kolb, County Engineer Road Department 322-7113
TITLE OF AGENDA ITEM:
Consideration of Board signature of Order 2008-079, Directing the Permanent Closure of Wimp Way at
the Intersection with US Highway 97
PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS DATE? NO
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
On November 30, 2007, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) sent a letter to the Board of
County Commissioners requesting the permanent closure of the west side approach of Wimp Way to
Highway 97. Citing increased travel speeds and increasing traffic volumes on Highway 97, ODOT felt
that the turning movements at Wimp Way have become increasingly more hazardous for school buses
and area residents. ODOT held several public meetings on the closure prior to making the request for
the closure. The closure of Wimp Way will be included in ODOT's project, US 97: Crooked River
Bridge to Redmond Reroute scheduled to begin the summer of 2009. As part of this project, ODO C will
be doing improvements to the intersection at Lower Bridge Way and Highway 97 to improve the access
to Highway 97. The closure will be a permanent closure for public use but a gate will be installed for
use by emergency vehicles. Closure of this intersection will occur 90 days after the completion 01 the
Lower Bridge/US Hwy. 97 intersection improvments as part of the US 97: Crooked River Bridge to
Redmond Reroute project. Deschutes County has received numerous letters from the residents of
Crooked River Ranch opposing this closure.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Closure of the intersections will be done by ODOT as part of the US 97: Crooked River Bridge tc
Redmond Reroute project. Deschutes County is not contributing any funding to this project or tly.
closure of Wimp Way
RECOMMENDATION & ACTION REQUESTED:
The Road Department recommends approval and signature of Order No. 2008-079.
ATTENDANCE: George Kolb, County Engineer; Tom Blust, Department Director
DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTS:
Copy to Wanda Kuntz (ext. 7103) at the Road Department
REVIEWED
LEGAL COUNSEL
For Recording Stamp Only
BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON
An Order Directing the Permanent Closure of
Wimp Way at the Intersection with US
Highway 97
*
*
ORDER NO. 2008-079
WHEREAS, pursuant to ORS 374.060, the Department of Transportation with the official
approval of... the county court or board of county commissioners of any county road with
respect to county roads, may: (1) close any street, highway or road at or near the point of
intersection with a throughway...; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to ORS 374.065, (2) any county road may be closed at the points
where it runs into or intersects the throughway if the consent of the county court or board of
county commissioners of the county in which the road is located is first obtained.; and
WHEREAS, on November 30, 2007, ODOT Region 4 Manager Robert Bryant asked the
Deschutes County Commission for permission to close the Wimp Way approach to US
Highway 97; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to ORS 810.030, (1) A road authority may imposed restriction...on its
own highways as the road authority determines necessary to:... (b) Protect the interest of safety
of the general public.; and
WHEREAS, as a result of increasing travel speeds and traffic volumes on US Highway 97,
turning movements at Wimp Way have become increasingly more hazardous for school buses
and area residents; and
WHEREAS, there has been extensive public involvement on the closure of Wimp Way,
including outreach to residents along Wimp Way and Ice Avenue, as well as the Terrebonne
and Crooked River Ranch communities, the school districts and emergency service
representatives from both Deschutes and Jefferson Counties; and
WHEREAS, ODOT is planning safety improvements to US Highway 97 from the Crooked
River Bridge to the Redmond Reroute and one of the project components is to improve
intersection safety along US 97 at NW Wimp Way; and
WHEREAS, this project is scheduled for construction summer of 2009; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners finds that the proposed closure is in the
public interest; now, therefore
ORDER NO. 2008-079 - PAGE 1 OF 2 — WIMP WAY CLOSURE
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON,
HEREBY ORDERS as follows:
Section 1. That the intersection of Wimp Way with US Highway 97 be closed to public use
90 days following the completion of the Lower Bridge/US 97 intersection improvements as part
of the US 97: Crooked River Bridge to Redmond Reroute project.
Section 2. That a gate will be installed at the intersection of Wimp Way and US Highway 97
for use by emergency services only.
DATED this day of , 2008.
ATTEST:
Recording Secretary
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF DESCHUTES, COUNTY, OREGON
DENNIS R. LUKE, CHAIR
TAMMY (BANEY) MELTON, VICE CHAIR
MICHAEL M. DALY, COMMISSIONER
ORDER NO. 2008-079 - PAGE 2 OF 2 — WIMP WAY CLOSURE
regon
Theodore R. Kulnngoski, Governor
November 30, 2007
Commissioner Luke
Commissioner Baney
Commissioner Daly
Deschutes County Commission
1300 NW Wall St
Bend, OR 97701
Subject: US 97: Crooked River Bridge - Redmond
Request to Close Wimp approach to US 97
Dear Commissioners:
Department of Transportation
Robert W. Bryant, PE
Region 4 Manager
63055 N Hwy 9"
Bend, OR 9770'
541-388-618
This is a formal request for your consent to a permanent closure of the west side approach of
Wimp Way to US 97. The closure has been proposed to be accomplished in conjunction with the
subject pavement preservation/safety project on US 97, scheduled for construction in 2009. This
request is in reference to the following Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS):
ORS 374.060, Power of Department of Transportation as to intersecting streets and roads,
states: "The Department...with the official approval of...the county court or board of county
commissioners of any county road with respect to county roads, may: (1) Close any street,
highway or road at or near the point of intersection with a throughway...
ORS 474.065, Intersection of throughways and county roads, states: "(I) The
Department... shall provide for the intersection of throughways by county roads running into
or across throughways. (2) Any county road may be closed at the points where it runs into or
intersects the throughway if the consent of the county court or board of county
commissioners of the county in which the road is located is first obtained."
ORS 810.030, Imposition of restrictions on highway use; grounds; procedure; penalties,
states: "(1) A road authority may impose restrictions...on its own highways as the road
authority determines necessary to do any of the following:... (b) Protect the interest of safety
of the general public."
With travel speeds and increasing traffic volumes on US 97, turning movements at Wimp Way
have become increasingly more hazardous for school buses and areas residents. The project
focuses available limited funding on making safety and operational improvements at the
intersection of US 97 at Lower Bridge Way that will serve the Crooked River Ranch and Lower
Bridge communities.
November 30, 2007
Deschutes County Commission
Page 2 of 2
There has been extensive public involvement on this proposal over the past few years, including
outreach to residents along Wimp Way and Ice Avenue, as well as the Terrebonne and Crooked
River Ranch communities, the school districts, and emergency service representatives from both
Deschutes and Crook Counties. There has also been thorough technical review, including
observations from the temporary closure of Wimp Way during replacement of the adjacent US
97 -railway bridge in 2005, and input from Deschutes County staff. Please reference the enclosed
US 97. Wimp Way Traffic Safety Frequently Asked Questions document which helps summarize
our work and conclusions. One of the outcomes reinforces the direction that we will provide
emergency access only, for both emergencies services and evacuation options, between the
proposed Wimp Way cul-de-sac and US 97.
Also enclosed for your background and reference is an ODOT project information paper title US
97: Crooked River Bridge to Redmond Reroute Project, including a map and supporting traffic
information.
I would appreciate your consideration of this request, and given our interest in delivering the
project in the 2009 construction season, it would be helpful to have a response from you by early
2008. I would also be more than willing to visit with you and your constituents, or provide
additional information to help with your decision-making.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Yom2
Robert W. Bryant; PE
Region 4 Manager
Enclosures
cc: Tom Blust, Deschutes County Roads Director
Bill Bellamy, Jefferson County Commissioner
Gary Farnsworth, ODOT Central Oregon Area Manager
Pat Creedican, ODOT District 10 Manager
Joel McCarroll, ODOT Region 4 Traffic Manager
US 97: Wimp Way Traffic Safety
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: September 20, 2007
There has been much interest, comments, and questions recently regarding traffic
safety at the intersection of US 97 and Wimp Way. Our first concern within the Oregon
Department of Transportation (ODOT) is public safety, and we appreciate opportunities
for involvement from all of our stakeholders on this subject. Please keep in mind that
we have many stakeholders from all walks of life and ranges of need and interest, and
we do our best to create a proper balance of decision making for all.
Here is feedback to frequently asked questions:
Are local residents at Wimp Way and Ice Avenue, residents at Crooked River
Ranch, emergency services, and school bus route issues being considered in the
decision to close Wimp Way?
Yes, we've sought direct feedback from all affected residents, emergency service,
and school district representatives. Here is what we've heard:
Residents along Wimp Way and Ice Avenue generally support closing Wimp Way to
reduce the number of vehicles, some say traveling at unsafe speeds, along the
public roads in their area.
Residents of Crooked River Ranch generally are opposed to closing Wimp Way and
want improvements at the intersection, as a convenient means of accessing US 97,
and an alternative for avoiding the traffic congestion at Lower Bridge Way.
Culver School District Transportation Department staff much prefer keeping Wimp
Way open as an alternative, given congestion at Lower Bridge Way.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office wants us to keep Wimp Way open to reduce
their travel response time to emergencies at in the area off US 97, including Crooked
River Ranch.
The Deschutes County Sheriffs Office if okay with closing Wimp Way.
September 2007
Could improvements (e.g., lighting, turn lanes, sight distance, turning
restrictions) have been made at the US 97/Wimp Way intersection, instead of full
closure?
It is possible. However, we recognize that even with improvements at this
intersection, the safety problem will continue to worsen over time as traffic volumes
increase. With the increasing traffic volumes on US 97, turning movements at Wimp
Way will become increasingly hazardous for school buses and area residents. Our
recommendation has been to invest our limited available funding into improving the
safety and operations at the intersection of Lower Bridge Way to serve all of the
Lower Bridge and Crooked River Ranch communities. This is in light of the fact that
there are other public road alternatives for property owners in the area, and given
the fact that sooner or later this access will need to be closed under any scenario.
By closing Wimp Way this would likely mean traffic will want to access the
highway at the US 97/Lower Bridge Way intersection which already has
congestion and safety problems. What sort of improvements are you planning
there?
Improvements being considered and proposed include: the addition of a right turn
lane from Lower Bridge Way that is separated from the left turn movement to
separate and improve right turning and left turning traffic onto US 97; improvements
for the site distance of vehicles turning from Lower Bridge Way onto US 97, and
from US 97 to Lower Bridge Way; relocation of the entrance to Terrebonne Estates
development (Morning Glory Drive) further west of US 97 to improve safety for
approaching eastbound traffic on Lower Bridge Way; and elimination of dangerous
"through" movements across US 97 (11th St. to/from Lower Bridge Way).
Won't the traffic diverted from Wimp Way make congestion and safety worse
at Lower Bridge Way?
The amount of traffic currently using and forecasted to use the Wimp Way access to
US 97 is so small, particularly compared to the amount of traffic at Lower Bridge
Way, the affect of any diverted traffic will have un -measurable effect, both in the
short and long terms. [Also note: In the long term we may be faced with the need to
replace the "at -grade" intersection of Lower Bridge Way to US 97 with a "grade
separated" facility that could include ramp connections to accommodate access from
the highway. Such plans are well beyond the scope of our current project, but stay
tuned as we intend to address such long term questions through a refinement
planning effort, we expect to begin within the next year, for US 97 between the
O'Neil Highway and Crooked River Gorge.]
September 2007
Could a new connection be made from Crooked River Ranch to US 97 through the
Ogden Wayside, next to the gorge?
This is possible, but would be a very difficult task to achieve. As noted by several
who have commented regarding Wimp Way, Crooked River Ranch is projected to
grow to as many as 8,000 residents. This population increase could create several
thousand more automobile trips per day - destined for US 97 - than we see today.
Such an increase in vehicle trips would create detrimental impacts to the Wayside
itself, as well as traffic impacts at the US 97 -Wayside intersection. Also, the right-
of-way (property) for such a connection would also require approval of both the
Oregon State Parks and the BNSF Railway.
Is it time to consider and discuss alternative routes to Crooked River Ranch, such
as a route directly to the north (or other directions) within Jefferson County?
This is a good time for such consideration and discussion, particularly in Tight of the
projected growth of Crooked River Ranch. Many have commented that there is only
one way in and one way out of Crooked River Ranch - this route is NW 43rd Street.
The Central Oregon Area Commission on Transportation (COACT), made up
primarily of elected representatives of Central Oregon Counties and Cities, is a good
forum to discuss Tong -range transportation plans for Central Oregon — including the
areas such as Crooked River Ranch. Improving and developing a local system
parallel to the state highways is a regular point of discussion for COACT, and a new
connection within Jefferson County has been a commonly referenced example in the
discussion.
We continue to build a project contact information -distribution list for all those interested,
and we will continue to record comments and questions within the project decision-
making process. We will also continue looking for opportunities to meet with individuals,
and continue public meetings as the project is developed. So if you would like to
contact us, or for more information about the US 97 Crooked River Bridge to Redmond
Reroute Project, please see the attached Project Information Paper.
September 2007
Closure of Wimp Way
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County Route Taxlot
Road Centerline
The information on this map was derived fran cigital databases m
Deschutes County's G.I.S. Care was taken in the cream of this
map, but it is provided "as isa. Deschutes County cannot accept any
responsibility for arras, onissims, or positional accuracy in the digital
data or the underlying records. There are no warranties, express a
implied, inducing the warranty of merchantability a fitness for a
particular purpose, accompanying this product. However, notificatim
of any arras will be appreciated.
Printed:
September 15 2008
N Deschutes County Road De 7artment
Created
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John Anderson, ilS Specialist
LLLL Phone (541)322-7
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Email'johna@co,c
hutes.orus
Address61'50 SE 7th St
Bend, OF 77702
P: 1ArcGIS_Projects\Road Departmer \Wimp Way
