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HomeMy WebLinkAboutChapter 4 - Needs AnalysisEXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 132 of 268 CHAPTER FOUR TRANSPORTATION NEEDS ANALYSIS 4.1 General Overview Three overall sources contributed to identifying the needs on the County’s transportation system: 1) input from the general public; 2) outputs from the Deschutes County 2030 transportation-land use model, and 3) contact with technical staff from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Region 4 and the cities of Bend, La Pine, Redmond, and Sisters. All three were blended together to indicate the County’s future transportation needs regardless of mode or road authority. Staff also conducted workshops with the Deschutes County Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners; both bodies provided helpful suggestions for the Transportation System Plan (TSP). The public contributed comments via several forums. The County held three rounds of open houses in multiple locations to listen to public concerns. The first round, called kick off meetings, were to alert the public about what a TSP is, provide a general timeline for the TSP’s preparation, and most importantly solicit the public for its view on what the critical transportation issues were in their area. The September 2008 kick off meetings were held in Bend, La Pine, Redmond, Sisters, Terrebonne, and Tumalo. Based on attendance at the first round, staff returned in May 2010 for a second round of open houses where staff explained the results of Technical Memo #2 (Existing Conditions) and Technical Memo #3 (2030 Forecast Traffic Volumes). The second open houses were held in Bend, La Pine, Sisters, and Terrebonne. The final round of open houses occurred in June 2011 and staff presented the results of Technical Memo #4 (Mitigations Alternatives) in Bend, La Pine, Sisters, and Terrebonne. All three rounds featured a presentation with a question and answer format. Additionally, transportation was a key topic in several other high profile planning projects conducted simultaneously with the development of this new TSP. Specifically, other Planning Division projects included the development of the Terrebonne Community Plan, the Tumalo Community Plan, the land use-transportation policies for the Deschutes Junction portion of the Comprehensive Plan Update, the proposal to add a 19th Street connection on the east side US 97 between Redmond and Deschutes Market Road, and updating the County’s destination resorts procedures ordinance and overlay map of eligible properties. All of these planning efforts, which each took several years, featured multiple public meetings and stakeholder committee meetings as well as public hearings before the Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners. Staff from County Planning Division, the Road Department, and ODOT Region 4 reviewed the existing conditions of County roads and State highways for deficiencies identified either by existing databases or local knowledge. The results of that research resulted in Chapter 2.2 “Existing Transportation System and Current Needs.” The results of the 2030 Deschutes County land use-transportation model revealed highway and roadway segments and intersections that exceed or nearly exceed either State or County performance standards. Those results are the backbone of Chapter 3.2, “Traffic Forecast.” By combining public input, State and County databases, staff technical knowledge, and results from the traffic modeling, the following general items were identified: EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 133 of 268 • High accident locations • County arterial and collector capacity problems • State highway capacity problems • Desire for highway bypasses • Desire for improved bicycle accommodations • Desire for recreational trails • Interest in expanded transit service • Interest in passenger rail Although presented as overall themes in the list above, Countywide issues and geographically specific sites are discussed in more detail below along with a response to the issue. 4.2 Public Involvement and Interagency Coordination Goal 1of the Oregon land use planning system is Citizen Involvement. The Transportation Planning Rule (TPR) also requires coordination between public agencies at the federal, state, and local levels as well as special districts and private providers of transportation services. In developing the Deschutes County TSP Update, staff held open houses, met with various community groups such as the La Pine Transportation Advisory Group (TAG), Tumalo Community Association (TCA), and Central Oregon Area Commission on Transportation (COACT), Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), and had numerous phone and e-mail contacts with the general public and peers at Bend, Bend MPO, La Pine, Redmond, and Sisters in addition to ODOT Region 4. Staff also held public work sessions and public hearings with the Deschutes County Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners. During the development of this update project, local broadcast, print media presented several stories on the TSP. A local blog dedicated to bicycle issues, BikeAroundBend, also did multiple entries on the TSP. Interagency coordination was achieved by the formation of a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), which held intermittent meetings for the duration of the project. Representatives on the TAC included staff from the County Planning Division and Road Department, ODOT Region 4, and the cities of Bend, La Pine, Redmond, and Sisters. A Steering Committee (SC) comprised of representatives of the County Planning Division and the Road Department as well as ODOT Region 4 met irregularly during the project. Instead of monthly gatherings, the committees tended to meet on an as-needed basis. Similarly, staff briefed the Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners as major milestones were reached. Examples of such milestones include reporting results of kick off meetings or completion of technical memos, or completion of the Deschutes County land use-transportation model. Table 4.2.T1 provides a summary of various major meetings. These major meetings either concerned projects, policies, or solicited public input on issues that directly related to the TSP Update. Staff has not included every meeting the transportation planner has attended in the last three years, even though it may seem like that to the reader. Examples of omitted meetings are those related to the transportation system and the Bend UGB proposal; various Bend MPO TAC meetings; South Redmond Collaborative Group meetings; Central Oregon Area Commission on Transportation (COACT) and other similar standing meetings. EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 134 of 268 Table 4.2.T1 Partial List of Meetings Related to TSP Update Event Activity Date Commute Options meeting Discuss future park and ride lots July 9, 2008 Work Session with Board General discussion July 23, 2008 Steering Committee Meeting #1 August 12, 2008 Technical Advisory Committee Meeting #l August 13, 2008 Central Oregon Builders Assoc. mtg General Q&A on TSP update September 2, 2008 TSP Kick Off Public Meeting, Tumalo General Q&A, receive public input September 2, 2008 TSP Kick Off Public Meeting, Bend General Q&A, receive public input September 4, 2008 TSP Kick Off Public Meeting, Sisters General Q&A, receive public input September 9, 2008 TSP Kick Off Public Meeting, Terrebonne General Q&A, receive public input September 17,2008 TSP Kick Off Public Meeting, Redmond General Q&A, receive public input September 18, 2008 Citizens from Sen. Wyden’s Central Oregon Recreation Assets Committee Discussed non-highway biking options between Bend-Sisters and Bend- Sunriver October 1, 2008 Road Dept., Crook Co. Roadmaster, ODOT meeting Actions needed to lift restrictions on Smith Rock Way, O’Neil Hwy, October 1, 2008 ODOT citizen focus group Issues on US 20 in Tumalo November 9, 2008 Aggregate haulers, Road Dept., ODOT, Crook County, COID Discuss short and long term fixes to Smith Rock Way, O’Neil Hwy, including piping canal under SRW November 9, 2008 Comprehensive Plan Terrebonne listening session November 13, 2008 COIC, service providers Coordinating Des Co Public Transportation Services and TSP December 17, 2008 Work session with Board Destination resorts and transportation January 5, 2009 Bend MPO, TSP stakeholders group Discussed traffic modeling January 13, 2009 Work session with Board Destination resorts and transportation January 28, 2009 Commute Options Expanding park and ride lots January 29, 2009 Tumalo Community group Discuss US 20 February 3, 2009 COIC, Commute Options, CET Transit and park and ride lots February 5, 2009 Terrebonne citizens group US 97 issues, transit February 5, 2009 Deschutes Junction citizens group Discuss land use, transportation February 17, 2009 Steering Committee Meeting #2 February 17, 2009 ODOT 97/20 Project Effect on County roads March 1, 2009 COACT Rail At-grade BNSF crossings March 10, 2009 La Pine Transportation Advisory Group General issues March 19, 2009 Workshop with Des Co Planning Comm. General overview of TSP process March 26, 2009 Sen. Wyden’s Central Oregon Recreation Assets Committee Bike/ped issues and paving USFS #41 between Bend and Sunriver April 6, 2009 ODOT Advisory Committee mtg Review US 20 in Tumalo April 7, 2009 ODOT, DLCD meeting Discuss transportation and land use policies in Terrebonne, Des Jct April 7, 2009 Technical Advisory Committee Meeting #3 April 13, 2009 COACT Rail technical committee At-grade BSNSF crossings April 14, 2009 Steering Committee Meeting #3 April 22, 2009 Pinewood Estates Homeowners Assoc. Redesignate South Shawnee Circle from collector to local April 23, 2009 ODOT Steering Committee US 20 in Tumalo May 7, 2009 Des. Co. Bike/Ped Advisory Committee Bike/ped issues between Bend-SR May 7, 2009 ODOT advisory committee US 20 in Tumalo May 12, 2009 EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 135 of 268 Event (con’t) Activity (con’t) Date (con’t) Redmond technical advisory committee Analyze regional transit service; fixed route service in Redmond May 13, 2009 ODOT project team Redmond Re-Route Phase II and Quarry Road interchange June 2, 2009 COACT Rail TAC, SC meetings Discuss at-grade crossings June 9, 2009 Central Oregon Realtors Assoc. General TSP Q&A June 17, 2009 La Pine Transportation Advisory Group General South County issues June 18, 209 Deschutes National Forest Reducing single-occupant vehicle usage to access recreation sites June 30, 2009 ODOT project team US 97/20 and County roads July 6, 2009 La Pine City Council, County Board TSP work session July 7, 2009 COACT Rail TAC At-grade vs. relocation July 14, 2009 Sen. Wyden Central Oregon Recreational Assets group Threes Sisters Scenic Bikeway and County roads July 14, 2009 South Redmond Collaborative Group Redmond Re-Route Phase II August 4, 2009 COACT Rail TAC At-grade vs. relocation August 11, 2009 Public workshop on US 20 in Tumalo ODOT public meeting on short-term solutions August 11, 2009 Board work session Financing and County roads August 12, 2009 Board work session Bend Airport Master Plan August 19, 2009 Des. Co. BPAC meeting Review County bike system September 3, 2009 Board work session Update on TSP September 9, 2009 ODOT, Prineville Railway meeting Discuss O’Neil Junction September 10, 2009 Deschutes Junction stakeholders meeting Review transportation and land use September 16, 2009 Tumalo Steering Committee meeting Discuss County roads and US 20 September 29, 2009 Terrebonne Community Plan meeting Public input on US 97, County roads issues and options October 19, 2009 Tumalo Community Plan meeting Public input on US 20, County roads issues and options October 20, 2009 Board work session Debriefed Board on TSP, community plans October 21, 2009 Board work session Foster Road as part of County- maintained system October 28, 2009 BPAC meeting County roads and cycling November 5, 2009 Citizens group meeting Concerns about O’Neil Junction zoning and infrastructure November 17, 2009 Citizens group meetings Concerns about Gopher Gulch and OB Riley Road intersection November 23, 2009 ODOT Project Team meeting US 20 in Tumalo November 30, 2009 Terrebonne Community Plan Hear land use, transportation concerns on US 97 December 14, 2009 Deschutes Junction community meeting Hear land use, transportation concerns on US 97 December 15, 2009 Public hearing before PC on PA-09-02 Add 19th Street to TSP map December 17, 2009 Work session with Sisters City Council Discussed general TSP issues January 7, 2010 ODOT Tumalo Citizens Committee US 20 in Tumalo January 12, 2010 Board work session Skyliners and other bike issues January 25, 2010 Technical Advisory Committee Meeting #4 January 26, 2010 ODOT Project Team meeting Redmond Re-Route, Phase II January 26, 2010 Bend Parks and Rec, Road Dept. meeting Site visit for Tumalo Trail January 28, 2010 PC deliberations on PA-09-02 Add 19th Street to TSP map January 28, 2010 EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 136 of 268 Event (con’t) Activity (con’t) Date (con’t) Terrebonne Community Plan meeting Public input on draft plan February 8, 2010 Board work session TSP tech memos February 10, 2010 TSP Steering Committee Meeting #4 February 16, 2010 Board Public Hearing on PA-09-2 Add 19th Street to TSP February 22, 2010 Deschutes Junction stakeholders meeting Discuss transportation and land use February 24, 2010 Board work session Skyliners Road bike policies March 3, 2010 Tumalo stakeholders Discuss US 20 March 3, 2010 ODOT, High Desert Museum meeting HDM’s future access to US 97 March 8, 2010 Deschutes Junction residents meeting Discuss frontage road on W of 97 March 9, 2010 Board work session Bike parking policies March 10, 2010 PC work session Add ODOT’s v/c to County code March 11, 2010 Deschutes Junction subdivision residents Hear concerns about transportation and land use March 29, 2010 PC hearing on TA-09-2 Add v/c to County code April 8, 2010 Board deliberations on PA-09-2 Add 19th Street to TSP map April 19, 2010 Board work session SDC’s and destination resorts April 21, 2010 Deschutes National Forest Assess transit opportunities April 29, 2010 TSP Open House #2, Sisters Show 2030 forecasts, get feedback May 3, 2010 TSP Open House #2, Terrebonne Show 2030 forecasts, get feedback May 4, 2010 TSP Open House #2, Bend Show 2030 forecasts, get feedback May 5, 2010 Board work session on TA-09-2 Add v/c to County code May 12, 2010 PC work session 2030 forecasts; recap public input May 13, 2010 Board work session SDC’s and destination resorts May 20, 2010 Met with City of Sisters staff Coordinate bike issues and routes June 9, 2010 Met with City of Bend staff Bend Airport Master Plan Update July 26, 2010 ODOT Steering Team Redmond Re-Route, Phase II July 27, 2010 Open house on Pleasant Ridge/97 closing Listen to public feedback July 29, 2010 COIC meeting Expanding regional transit August 12, 2010 ODOT, Road Dept. mtg on TSP projects Identify solutions to 2030 deficiencies August 18, 2010 PC hearing on TA-10-6 Deschutes Junction policies August 26, 2010 BPAC meeting Show proposed TSP bikeways September 2, 2010 Board work session Proposed Tumalo Trail September 22, 2010 Met with City of La Pine staff Review transportation issues on 97 September 22, 2010 BOCC work session Deschutes Junction policies September 29, 2010 COIC meeting Develop plan for alternative modes October 7, 2010 ODOT TAC Tumalo, Prineville Junction October 25, 2010 ODOT access meeting on 97/20 Again discuss County roads November 19, 2010 Board work session Deschutes Junction December 1, 2010 ODOT Project Team US 20 in Tumalo December 7, 2010 COACT meeting ODOT projects and local plans December 9, 2010 Meeting with DLCD director, staff Discuss TPR and rural projects January 18, 2011 PC work session Proposed TSP projects February 24, 2011 Deschutes National Forest TAC meeting on transit in the woods March 1, 2011 Board work session TSP projects to address 2030 failures and Deschutes Junction policies March 16, 2011 Board public hearing on TA-10-6 Deschutes Junction policies March 28, 2011 Board public hearing on TA-10-6 Deschutes Junction policies April 18, 2010 Board work session on 97/20 Effect on County roads May 4, 2011 Citizens, Road Dept. meeting Discuss Tumalo May 5, 2011 Board hearing on TA-10-6 Board approved Des Jct policies May 23, 2011 PC work session on TSP General overview May 26, 2011 TSP Open House #3, Sisters Present 2030 projects, get input June 6, 2011 EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 137 of 268 Event (con’t) Activity (con’t) Date (con’t) TSP Open House #3, La Pine Present 2030 projects, get input June 8, 2011 TSP Open House #3, Bend Present 2030 projects, get input June 13, 2011 TSP Open House #3, Terrebonne Present 2030 projects, get input June 15, 2011 Board work session Funding County roads June 22, 2011 Sisters Open House Discuss US 20 lanes August 29, 2011 Sisters Open House Continued discussion of US 20 lanes October 4, 2011 Planning Commission meeting Work session on TSP Update October 13, 2011 Des River Woods Neighborhood Assoc. Present draft TSP, get DRW input October 20, 2011 Planning Commission public hearing Present draft TSP Update October 27, 2011 Board work session Review selected TSP issues November 7, 2011 Planning Commission public hearing Continued hearing on TSP Update November 10, 2011 PC public hearing in Sisters Continued hearing on TSP Update December 15, 2011 Meet w/CO Landwatch, 1000 Friends Discuss TSP on bikes, US 20 December 20, 2011 PC work session Discuss major TSP topics January 12, 2012 Planning Commission public hearing Continued hearing on TSP Update January 26, 2012 Planning Commission public hearing Begin deliberations on TSP Update February 3, 2012 Planning Commission public hearing Recommend TSP Update to Board February 23, 2012 Board work session Recap major topics in TSP Update March 26, 2011 Board public hearing Public hearing on TSP Update April 16, 2012 Board public hearing Public hearing on TSP Update April 23, 2012 EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 138 of 268 4.3 Transportation Issues Identified in TSP Update Process Transportation issues raised during the nearly three-year TSP Update process ranged from broad overarching themes to items as specific as a tree blocking the sightline on a curve. Issues such as the latter were forwarded to the Road Department to be addressed during routine maintenance operations; they were not cataloged in the TSP Update. Transportation topics are organized geographically with Countywide aspects presented first. Specific locations are discussed in the following manner: north to south along the US 97 corridor; west to east along the US 20 corridor; and west to east along the OR 126 corridor. While the text is organized by State highways, County arterials and collectors are also discussed as are off-highway topics. Issues that Pertain to all of Deschutes County Topic: Ability to Fund Future Road and Highway Improvements Response: This was a major component of the public’s comments. Deschutes County initiated a Countywide transportation system development charge (SDC) in 2008 with Board Resolution 2008-059. The County updates the amount annually based on a price index for construction materials published in Engineering News of Record for Seattle, WA. However, declining revenues from state and federal sources mean it will be difficult to finance future transportation projects. In 2011 the Board directed the Road Department to convene a committee to examine other funding opportunities for road maintenance. That committee’s work will likely be completed in early 2012. The funding committee will include many of the same members who helped develop the Countywide transportation SDCs and thus are familiar with the issues. New funding sources for road maintenance could result in more County funds being available for modernization projects. A deeper discussion of transportation funding is found in Chapter 6. Topic: High Accident Locations Response: These are tracked by both Deschutes County and ODOT via a crash data base. A list of the County intersections is found at Table 2.2.T6. No County intersection in 2005-2009 had a crash rate that exceeded 1.0 crashes per million entering vehicles (MEV), which is considered the threshold amount that would require countermeasures. There were four County segments that exceeded the statewide average for similar roads. While improvements to shoulders and clear zone improvements would have provided some benefit, driver error was predominantly the causal factor. For State Highway intersections on rural lands, four locations made the Top 10% of the Statewide Priority Index System (SPIS); ODOT and the County have already addressed three: 1. ODOT and the County closed one leg of the US 97/Gift-Deschutes Pleasant Ridge; 2. The County, ODOT, and City of La Pine are working to identify and schedule remedies for US 97 in La Pine; and 3. ODOT and Deschutes County are nearing the end of a project development to arrive at a long- term solution for US 20 in Tumalo. EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 139 of 268 Topic: “Four-Phase Approach” to Improve Two-Lane State Highways ODOT has a “four-phase” approach to incrementally improve rural two-lane highways to divided highways with frontage roads and grade-separated interchanges, removing all direct at-grade access. This approach includes: • Addition of passing or climbing lanes every three to five miles • Widening to a four-lane section by connecting passing lanes or adding lanes • Adding grade-separations and raised medians • Adding full grade-separated interchanges and frontage roads County and ODOT staff through a coordinated process identified the general location of future passing lanes as well as overpasses and interchanges. Specific locations and footprints will be done during ODOT’s project development. As intersections begin to experience operational and/or safety problems, they will be either grade-separated, restricted, or closed provided there is reasonable alternate access. Per state statute, the Board of County Commissioners must approve any disconnection of a County road from a State highway. Topic: County Roadways Lack Adequate Capacity Response: The 2030 traffic model and Technical Memo #3 identified a few sections and/or intersections of County arterials and/or collectors that did not have enough capacity. Technical Memo #4 identified either additional travel lanes (western Redmond) or center turn lanes (La Pine, western Redmond) or roundabouts (eastern Bend) as solutions. A more specific discussion of County projects is found in Chapter Five. Topic: State Highways Lack Adequate Capacity Response: The 2030 traffic model and Technical Memo #3 identified sections and/or intersections of State highways that did not have enough capacity. Technical Memo #4 Mitigations Alternative Analysis identified either additional travel lanes (west of Sisters; Bend-La Pine; Tumalo-Bend) or potential interchanges (Lower Bridge Way/US 97; Quarry Road/US 97; Burgess Road/US 97; Old Bend- Redmond/US 20) or overpasses with jug-handles (Cook-O.B. Riley/US 20 in Tumalo) or roundabouts (Hamby-Ward/US 20 and Powell Butte Highway/US 20). Technical Memo #4 is in Appendix B. A more specific discussion of State projects is found in Chapter Five. Roundabouts are an internationally, nationally, regionally and locally recognized traffic control device. However, the use of roundabouts has become a sensitive topic with the Oregon trucking industry, which has concerns about the ability of roundabouts to adequately accommodate oversized-loads. Any roundabouts on State highways will be designed by ODOT to ensure consistency with ORS 366.215, the ODOT Highway Division’s Mobility Operations Manual, and with input from ODOT’s Motor Carrier Division and other stakeholders identified by the agency. Deschutes County will base any financial contributions to intersection improvements beyond providing/extending turn on the County’s percentage of the cost of a rural roundabout. If the State chooses to pursue a higher-level solution such as a grade-separated interchange, the County will still base its financial contribution on the County’s percentage share on the costs of a rural roundabout. EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 140 of 268 Topic: Desire for a Regional or County-Wide System of Non-Highway Bicycling Routes Response: While ODOT’s highways have the widest shoulders of any facility in the region and link all of the County’s and region’s cities, those same highways have the highest speeds, traffic volumes, and amount of heavy trucks. Additionally, to prevent sleepy motorists from running off of the pavement, many highways have “rumble strips” on the shoulders which can play havoc with a bicycle wheel and can collect debris. By contrast County roads have much lower volumes, but those same two-lane roads can have shoulders that range from ample to adequate to marginal to non-existent. During pavement preservation or modernization projects the County will widen shoulders out to the standards set in the County code at DCC 17.48, Table A, provided no right-of-way purchases or extensive cut and fill operations are required. The County considered wider right-of-way widths for arterials and collectors within three miles of a UGB, which in turn would then have wider shoulders to accommodate cycling commuters and students riding to/from school. The County decided against such a policy due to the cost to acquire additional rights-of- way versus the small number of potential users and the relatively short cycling season. The County will designate a bikeway system based on the routes identified for the Three Sisters Scenic Bikeway and the recommendations of BPAC. Designation will include wider striping on the fog lines and improved signage in the rural area, but will not include bike stencils on the shoulder as are found on urban bike lanes. In unincorporated communities, the County will consider bike stencils. Topic: Desire for a Regional or County-Wide System of Pedestrian Trails Response: The County recognizes the importance of trails from an amenity and public health perspective and would be supportive of grant applications to create a trail system on County rural and unincorporated lands that would tie into an urban trail system as well as trails systems on federal lands and resorts. Yet, the majority of land within Deschutes County is in federal ownership. The USFS and BLM provide the bulk of the region’s pedestrian recreation. Additionally, the County does not have a Parks District, instead deferring to the Parks and Recreation districts of the four cities and other private or non profit organizations such as the Central Oregon Trail Alliance. The Road Department does not currently have the staffing or equipment to build or maintain trails. Nevertheless, the County will map a series of proposed pedestrian trails (see Chapter 5 for specifics) in coordination with Bend, La Pine, Redmond, and Sisters. Many of these rural trails would utilize the ditch rider roads of area irrigation districts. The intent is for third parties to cite the trails mapped on the TSP to then seek and obtain grant funding to build and maintain those trails. Topic: Expanded Transit Service Response: CET provides a tri-county transit service and staff is working with Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) and CET on a planning project to develop a long-range transit master plan that will identify potential service expansion in terms of location or hours. Staff is also working with the Bend MPO on a long-range transit plan. Both projects are due to conclude after the TSP Update but their recommendations could be incorporated into the TSP through a subsequent amendment. EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 141 of 268 Topic: Establish Passenger Rail Service, Either Inter-County or Intra-County Response: Currently, with the exception of a few private excursion trains, there is no passenger rail service. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway has said it was reluctant to cede rail capacity to passenger rail at the expense of more profitable freight operations. The Central Oregon Area Commission on Transportation (COACT) Rail study and the on-going COIC long-range plan regarding Central Oregon transportation options will revisit the issue. Given the low-population densities in Madras, Redmond, Bend, and La Pine as well as the lack of fixed-route transit service in any city except Bend, the abundance of free parking in the four cities, and low travel times along the US 97 corridor, it is doubtful passenger rail is feasible even in the next 20 years. A more likely outcome would be establishing bus rapid transit (BRT) as an alternate mode and precursor to passenger rail. Topic: Accommodate Rail Freight Movements Response: The COACT Rail Study identified a list of prioritized existing at-grade railroad crossings within the tri-county region that would be either closed or improved to grade-separated railroad crossings. The bulk of the crossings are in the cities; the only high-priority County crossing is at Baker Road just beyond the southwest edge of the Bend UGB. The COACT Rail report found it was not cost-effective to relocate the railroads out of Bend and Redmond. The preliminary cost estimate was $617 million to relocate the railroad around Bend and Redmond whereas improving existing at-grade crossing south of Bend to the north of Redmond had a preliminary cost estimate of $386 million. A relocation would simply replace urban at-grade crossings with rural at-grade crossings or require the building of grade-separated crossings for low-volume rural roads. The rail relocation would require a literal act of Congress to provide the railroads with the same property rights on a new alignment that they now possess on the current alignment. There were also major environmental and socio-economic challenges to establish new right-of-way for the railroad. Finally, relocating the railroad would be an all or nothing approach with huge upfront costs whereas improving existing at-grade crossings can be done in a phased approach. The County supports the efforts by ODOT and the City of Prineville Railway (CoPR) to realign the O’Neil Highway and grade-separate the US 97/O’Neil Highway intersection to not only improve safety and eliminate truck-length restrictions, but also to help the CoPR enhance its capabilities to serve local freight shippers. US 97 Corridor Terrebonne Area Topic: US 97 Acts as a Barrier Due to Traffic Volumes, Speeds, and Vehicle Mix Response: At several open houses for both the Terrebonne Community Plan and the TSP Update, residents aired these concerns. The main areas of discussion were the Lower Bridge Way/US 97 intersection and the segment of US 97 between C Avenue and South 11th Avenue. EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 142 of 268 ODOT has done channelization improvements at Lower Bridge Way/US 97, but will look at a long-term solution of either a simple overpass (meaning no direct connection to the highway) or an interchange. Any planned solution at Lower Bridge Way will have to look at the highway through the rest of the community. At the open houses there was no strong preference among the options of a bypass, a couplet (11th Street would be northbound, current US 97 would be southbound), an interchange or overpass, or a traffic signal. Residents generally preferred no change. Residents, ODOT, and the County all agreed that the highway would not be widened beyond its current three-lane configuration. ODOT will continue to monitor the performance of US 97 in Terrebonne to determine when a refinement plan should be initiated. Potential triggers could be the majority of intersections in Terrebonne either not meeting ODOT’s V/C ratio, excessive queuing on County roads due to lack of gaps in traffic, a higher than above average crash rate than the statewide average for similar facilities, or the emergence of a Safety Priority Index System (SPIS) site. Topic: Secondary Access to Crooked River Ranch Response: Planning and Road Department staff have worked with Crooked River Ranch (CRR) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to identify an emergency secondary access from CRR to NW Quail Road south to Lower Bridge Way. The emergency access reaches Lower Bridge Way to the east of Steamboat Rock. A right-of-way agreement with BLM is pending. Redmond Area Topic: Replace the At-Grade Crossings of the BNSF and CoPR at O’Neil Junction Response: The COACT Rail Plan identified high-priority crossings within the tri-county area that would be grade separated. Of those, two are in Deschutes County with the northernmost being one at O’Neil Junction or as it’s known for railroad purposes, Prineville Junction. This project is estimated to cost $18 million. Topic: Need for a “Ring Road” on the West Side Response: The 2030 model and the Redmond TSP indicate existing roads need to be improved to add capacity as US 97 begins to become more congested and as the City’s lands west of US 97 begin to develop. Helmholtz will be widened and turn lanes added from north to south. Eventually, Helmholtz will be extended southeastward to connect to a future interchange at Quarry/US 97. The lands between US 97 and Helmholtz are Multiple Use Agriculture, 10-acre minimum (MUA-10) so no exception is required for Statewide Planning Goal 3. County staff anticipates once a precise alignment to extend Helmholtz to US 97 has been identified, the City of Redmond will be the land use applicant. Topic: Redmond Re-Route, Phase II to Extend from OR 126 Southward Response: ODOT modeling has indicated a deficiency on the current five-lane section of US 97 south of OR 126 all the way down to the Redmond UGB. The 1998 TSP and the TSP Update both include a Quarry Road interchange. ODOT and the City of Redmond are in the midst of a long-range plan to identify whether the Re-Route’s southern terminus is an upgraded Yew Avenue interchange or a new EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 143 of 268 interchange at Quarry Road/US 97. To date County has been a minor participant as the plan has focused on the north end of Phase II and access to downtown Redmond plus highway connectivity. Once the planning efforts return to the issue of Yew vs. Quarry, the County will again become a more active participant. If the preferred alternative extends to Quarry an exception to Statewide Planning Goal 3 would be required as the lands on the east side of US 97 are zoned EFU. County staff anticipates either the City of Redmond or ODOT will be the applicant for any land use approvals or goal exceptions for an extension of US 97 or a City arterial to Quarry Road. Topic: Bypass of Redmond Response: The public has often asked about the possibility of bypassing Redmond to the east. The Redmond TSP has looked at this issue and essentially, the requirement of the bypass to swing eastward enough to clear the runway protection zones means a bypass would not be that effective from a time standpoint. The lower cost of BLM lands would be offset by higher construction costs of a longer bypass. Additionally, the combination of the Redmond Re-Route Phase II and the existing Redmond Re-Route will provide a faster route through Redmond, essentially providing an operational bypass of Redmond, alleviating the immediate need for a geographic bypass. Topic: Relocate Railroad to East of Redmond Response: The cost of relocating the BNSF only through the Redmond area was $176 million versus $182 million to grade-separate the existing crossings. While the costs are nearly the same, the previously discussed challenges (upfront costs for relocation and its all or nothing nature as compared to phasing capability of improving at-grade crossings; socio-economic aspects of a new alignment; need for literal act of Congress to provide same property rights on new alignment as found on old) resulted in the COACT Rail Study recommending this option be dismissed. Topic: Future Extension of NW Walnut West to Helmholtz Response: Affected property owners have requested a sense of the timing of extending a future collector in the vicinity of NW Walnut Avenue west to Helmholtz. The County has no plans to construct this extension; instead construction would be done as part of a development proposal. Citizens were also concerned about the location of the intersection of this future collector and Helmholtz being on a curve. The line on the City's and the County's respective TSPs just provides the approximate alignment. As development occurs and right-of-way is actually dedicated is when a more precise alignment would be determined. The alignment could be shifted southward to avoid existing homes and/or structures or those may have to be purchased. During the development process is when the future intersection on Helmholtz would be analyzed for sight distance and NW Walnut/Helmholtz would be examined for crash history and sight distance. Topic: Bicycle and Pedestrian Access to Smith Rock State Park Response: Staff coordinated with the BPAC to identify which County roads and canal ditch rider roads that could be utilized to access Smith Rock State Park. EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 144 of 268 Bend Area Topic: Deschutes Junction Frontage Road and/or Interchange Upgrade Response: This interchange lies approximately five miles north of Bend on US 97. Several nearby rural subdivisions (Boones Borough, Starwood, Vale View, etc.) use the interchange to reach Bend and Redmond. The crossroads also supports some small-scale commercial and industrial property. Residences and business and property owners are interested in ODOT’s long-term plan for the current interchange. The agency has no plans to upgrade the facility at this time as the interchange is sufficient for the rural uses allowed under the zoning. ODOT has emphasized its desire to extend a raised median from the current one. The initial extension of the raised median would be north to Gift Road as well as south for an undetermined distance. The agency recognizes the out of direction travel that would result and thus has stated the current raised median would not be extended until a frontage road was in place on the west side of US 97. (The east side has little residential development to the north and Deschutes Market Road provides an alternate route.) The raised median is needed to address safety issues of crossover crashes as traffic volumes increase and to provide a countermeasure for icy winter driving conditions. The County at TA-10-6 (implementing Ordinance 2011-005) has agreed to conduct a Deschutes Junction Master Plan once the Board directs staff to begin. Topic: Future Interchange on US 97 at North End of Bend Response: ODOT has worked with the City of Bend and Deschutes County to identify a long-term solution for US 97 between Deschutes Market Road and Empire Avenue. The agency’s draft Environmental Impact State (DEIS) was issued in summer 2011 for a 45-day public comment period. Once the comments are received, ODOT will select a preferred alternative in the EIS and issue a Record of Decision (ROD). The County has commented on the various alternatives and reviewed the potential traffic circulation effects on County roads in the area west of US 97, east of Hunnell Road, south of Fort Thompson, and north of Cooley roads. The preferred alternative will decide the interchange’s location and whether it will accommodate all moves or just southbound off, northbound on. ODOT and the County will also identify effects on County roads and which might need to be improved. The County’s main concern is Hunnell Road and its role as a future north-south connector between Tumalo Road and the triangle formed by US 20, US 97 and Cooley Road. As ODOT proposes to close driveways onto US 97 the need for a parallel local route will intensify. Topic: Improved Local Circulation in the US 20/US 97/Cooley Road Triangle at North End of Bend Response: This topic is intertwined with the ODOT US 97 project described earlier. The area bounded by US 97, US 20, and Rogers Road has few north-south or east-west routes. As either the ODOT project is implemented or development occurs, Hunnell Road will be improved between Cooley to at least Rogers Road. Ultimately, Hunnell will be paved to Tumalo Road as either development occurs or funding becomes available. The County will also work with ODOT to improve east-west circulation between Hunnell Road and Old Bend-Redmond Highway. EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 145 of 268 Topic: Eastside Bypass of Bend Response: The concept of an eastside bypass has been around for almost six decades. Earlier versions suggested 27th Street, then a County road, as the bypass. As the City has developed, the list of potential County donor roads has shifted ever eastward. The route most often mentioned now is a combination of Rickard, Hamby/Ward, and Deschutes Market roads. A variation at the north end uses Empire. When ODOT in the early 1990s began planning what would become the Bend Parkway, the agency stopped motorists to conduct origin and destination surveys to again revisit the issue of an eastside bypass. These surveys revealed drivers had Bend as a destination and would not use an eastside bypass. The surveys coupled with traffic modeling showed only 10,000 of the 75,000 vehicles then forecast to travel daily through the Bend central corridor in 2015 would use the eastside bypass. Also rural land owners have objected to the intrusion of an urban-scale facility into the countryside. While people often state an eastside bypass would ease truck traffic volumes on the Parkway and Third Street, much of the truck traffic has an east Bend destination such as The Forum shopping center at 27th/US 20 for example. There is remnant public sentiment for an eastside bypass even post-Parkway. The lack of right-of-way protection or acquisition has meant lost opportunities for a future bypass. Instead of a single high-cost, high-speed roadway, the north-south travel demands can be met via current arterials and collectors along with a future extension of the grid system to east of Bend. With the addition of possible lower cost road links and some roadway upgrades, the distribution of future north-south traffic throughout a grid system of existing arterials and collectors could have the following benefits: • Less capital and ongoing maintenance costs • Less disruption to existing residents • Opportunity to retain the rural character of the area • Less pressure to create and develop commercial areas east of 27th Street • Maximization of access to individual properties • Maintain lower overall speeds • Maintain emphasis on use of the Parkway by autos and through trucks Topic: Expansion of Bend Airport Response: The City update of the Bend Airport Master Plan is due to be completed by winter 2012. The potential runway expansion to the north and any necessary road relocations such as Powell Butte Highway or McGrath Road will be identified in the plan update. An exception to Statewide Planning Goal 3 could be required. Any intensification of land uses at the airport would require traffic analysis to show consistency with the TPR. County staff expects either City of Bend staff or Bend Airport staff to apply for the appropriate land uses applications and provide TPR findings. Topic: Pave Sisemore Road between Plainview and Tumalo Reservoir Road Topic: Staff looked at this and in 2008 arrived at a preliminary cost estimate of $5 million. The main constraint is widening the road where it crosses an old earthen dam and widening the road cuts on EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 146 of 268 either side of the dam. As the road is currently passable for motor vehicles, mountain bikes, and cross bikes, the only group not served would be those on road bicycles. Staff therefore found this request does not have a favorable cost-benefit ratio. Topic: Trails in the Rural Areas Adjoining Bend Response: Staff worked with City of Bend and Bend Metro Parks and Recreation Department and BPAC to identify potential trail routes for off-road bikes and pedestrians. These would provide links to adjacent federal lands as well as Smith Rock State Park. The latter would use the Trans-Canada pipeline ditch rider road. While Deschutes County will map these trails, they will be constructed either as development occurs or as third parties win grants. The proposed trails are mapped and discussed in Chapter Five. Topic: Frontage Road from the Ponderosa Neighborhood to Baker Road Response: The South Parkway Refinement Plan was discussed and the Southwest Neighborhood Association has requested a frontage road going south from the Ponderosa neighborhood south to Baker Road. The frontage road will be added to the TSP map. Topic: Replace the at-grade crossings of the BNSF at Baker Road Response: The COACT Rail Plan identified high-priority crossings within the tri-county area that would be grade separated. The Baker Road at-grade crossing is listed as a high priority with a cost estimate of $36 million. Complicating factors that will also need to be addressed are the effects on ramps of the US 97/Baker-Knott road interchange plus circulation and access to the Deschutes River Woods store and the Deschutes River Woods neighborhood. Topic: Alternate Access to the High Desert Museum Response: As traffic volume rise on US 97, the current access to the High Desert Museum will likely prove to be problematic. ODOT, the County, and the museum will work to identify either phased improvements to the existing access, including possible turn restrictions, to ultimately an alternate access via either a frontage road or other alternate route. Topic: Improve Non-Highway Access Between Bend and Sunriver Response: The County supports the paving of USFS #41 between Sunriver and Cascade Lakes Highway to provide an alternative to US 97. Additionally, the County will continue to work with ODOT and the USFS to identify and develop a non-highway paved route between Bend and Lava Butte and then Lava Butte to the north edge of Sunriver. Topic: Reclassify South Shawnee Circle from Collector to Local Road Response: Residents of Pinewood Country Estates feel the amount and speed of cut-through traffic is damaging South Shawnee Circle, which is maintained by a special road district. Between South Century Drive and La Pine State Rec Road, the following routes are designated as collectors for future collectors: Lazy River Drive to South Shawnee Circle to Wolf Street to Whittier Drive to La Pine State Rec Road. Residents think a more logical route would be to replace South Shawnee Circle with Tamarack Road to White Oak to Powell to Wolf, making those streets the collectors. EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 147 of 268 Planning and Road Department staff drove both routes and feel South Shawnee Circle still offers more advantages as there are fewer 90-degree turns. Topic: Disconnect Vandevert Road Response: ODOT as part of its four-phased approach has identified intersections where mainline volumes are high enough that a substantial number of drivers on the side street will not have adequate gaps to turn onto or cross the highway. In the case of Vandevert, drivers wishing to go north on US 97 have an alternate route of Huntington Road to South Century. The latter accesses the highway through a grade-separated interchange. Disconnecting Vandevert Road from US 97 will require a formal request from ODOT and a public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners. Topic: Future US 97 Bypass of La Pine/Wickiup Junction Response: Several members of the public have mentioned their desire for a US 97 bypass from Wickiup Junction beginning about Drafter Road and extending south through La Pine. Their concept had the bypass along the west edge of the BNSF. ODOT also has a long-term plan to improve the Burgess Road/US 97 intersection to remove US 97’s at-grade crossing of the BNSF. Given both the interchange and a bypass would be within the City of La Pine, the topic is better addressed through the City’s forthcoming TSP. The southern terminus, if it extends to OR 31, would have a small amount on County land. Topic: Access to Isolated Subdivisions in La Pine Area Response: There are numerous subdivisions in South County that only have one road, sometimes not even paved, leading into and out of area. In the case of the need to evacuate from either flames or floods, this is a less than ideal situation. Staff worked with the La Pine TAG and La Pine Fire Department to identify such subdivisions and to seek grant funding to improve the access to and from these areas. Topic: Congestion at OR 31 Response: The traffic model indicates the US 97/OR 31 intersection does not meet the State’s V/C ratio by 2030. A phased series of improvements of adding separate left and right turn lanes on OR 31 should be done prior to a directional grade-separated interchange. The main issue is there are not sufficient gaps for westbound drivers to turn left from OR 31 to go south on US 97. Separating the turn lanes will minimize the delay for those wanting to turn right from OR 31 to go north on US 97 who otherwise could begin to queue up behind the motorists waiting to turn left. US 20 Corridor Sisters Area Topic: Four Lanes on US 20 Between Black Butte Ranch and the West Edge of Sisters Response: The 1998 TSP showed passing lanes on US 20; the 2030 transportation-land use model indicates there is still a need for US 20 to become four lanes for capacity and safety reasons. There EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 148 of 268 have been comments from the public and the City of Sisters against the additional lanes due to fears of increased volumes arriving in Sisters at a high speed. This segment of US 20 is a Statewide Highway as well as being an Expressway and a Freight Route. The intent is for such facilities to carry high volumes of traffic at high speeds. US 20 links the Upper and Middle Willamette Valley to Central Oregon, carrying a large amount of recreational traffic in both winter and summer. The combination of traffic volumes, slower semi-trucks, and slower RV’s or pick- ups pulling trailers creates long queues. A lack of passing lanes, especially for eastbound traffic where there are fewer passing opportunities, means even more frustrated motorists will continue to make either unsafe passes or illegal passes. Providing passing lanes in both directions every three to five miles with the ultimate goal of knitting them together for a four-lane highway is an appropriate response. When an urban street begins to fail there are a number of countermeasures available. Parallel, local routes can be improved; traffic signals can be added to a street or existing signals can have their timing modified; driveways can be closed or interparcel circulation can be improved; modals shifts to transit or biking and walking can be encouraged, etc. When a rural, two-lane highway begins to fail, those measures are not available, leaving adding lanes as about the only recourse. Finally, a four-lane US 20 entering the west edge of Sisters is consistent with the four-lane section assumed by the City of Sisters TSP for the urban portion of US 20 at the west edge of town. Recognizing the concerns of rural residents and the City of Sisters, ODOT and County staff identified the following “triggers” that would indicate the potential need for a passing lane and the requirement that ODOT have an active dialogue in Sisters after funding is programmed for these improvements but well before they are designed or constructed: On the US 20 segments of 1) Hawks Beard (Black Butte Ranch) to Tollgate and 2) Tollgate to Rail Way (west edge of City of Sisters) ODOT will consider adding travel lanes when congestion, operation or safety concerns indicate additional lanes would be an effective countermeasure for the identified deficiency. Indicators that an improvement may be needed include, but are not limited to: • The traffic volumes exceed ODOT’s volume/capacity ratio targets • The crash rate exceeds the Statewide average for similar rural highways • The crash types are related to passing maneuvers (head-on, sideswipe oncoming, sideswipe overtaking) • The segment includes one or more top 10% Safety Priority Index System (SPIS) sites • An increase in Percent Time Spent Following or a decrease in Travel Time Reliability • Prior to design, ODOT will hold a public meeting in Sisters to explain the purpose, need, and timing of the project and to receive and consider the viewpoints of Sisters area residents and how they might be best addressed in terms of project design and construction. Topic: Off-Highway Route from Tollgate to Sisters Response: Local motorists, cyclists, and equestrians have sought a parallel route from the Tollgate area to Sisters, especially to the high school and middle school. However, there has not been consensus as other residents of Tollgate and other subdivisions have voiced opposition to such a paved route. Lacking an agreed common vision, the TSP is currently mute on the topic. EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 149 of 268 Topic: Bypass of Sisters Response: The topic of a highway bypass around Sisters has waxed and waned. Potential routes have looked at going to the north or south of Sisters with the southern route having slightly fewer challenges. In the City’s TSP Update, there was no support expressed for a bypass by either the public or ODOT. The City of Sisters TSP has shown with planned improvements the current State highways and City streets can accommodate the forecast levels of 2030 traffic. Therefore, the County TSP will not identify any potential bypass routes. Topic: Provide Non-Highway Access Between Sisters and Bend Response: Area road cyclists currently have no direct way to travel between Sisters and Bend other than US 20. BPAC, ODOT, and the County have discussed three options: pave the Brooks-Scanlon logging railroad; pave Sisemore Road; add a paved separated path within the US 20 right-of-way. Brooks-Scanlon Staff has looked at the route, which follows the bed of an old logging railroad, from Three Creeks Road to Johnson Road near Shevlin Park. This mostly level route traverses through the forest and offers outstanding views. However, much as was the case with Sisemore Road, Brooks-Scanlon is currently passable for motor vehicles, mountain bikes, and cross bikes; the only group not served would be those on road bicycles. Additionally, Brooks-Scanlon has a seasonal closure to protect a deer wintering range. The Brooks-Scanlon is under the jurisdiction of the Deschutes National Forest (DNF) where it is called Road #4606. The County under Resolution 2009-018 is not accepting any new roads into the County- maintained system, although the Board may make an exception for arterials and collectors. However, the current Brooks-Scanlon is not built to County standards for those designations. Based on the above, (few users, seasonal closures, not part of County-maintained system, costs to upgrade and maintain) staff therefore found this request does not have a favorable cost-benefit ratio. The County would support any grant applications by third parties to pave and maintain Brooks-Scanlon. Sisemore Road See the Bend section above on paving Sisemore. Separated Paved Path within US 20 Right-of-Way There are a few challenges to this alternative, which is the best of the three. The issues/questions include but are not limited to; is there sufficient right-of-way to separate users from highway traffic; how to meet driver expectations when the path crosses private driveways or public streets, and how the path would be maintained? Additionally, improvements to Tweed Road would offer cyclists a paved, albeit zigzag route, to enter Bend via Tweed, Couch Market, Tumalo Reservoir, and Tyler roads once they reach Tweed via a separated path within the US 20 right-of-way. EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 150 of 268 Topic: US 20 as a Barrier in Tumalo Response: Residents of Tumalo, cyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians, as well as motorists have found the US 20/Cook-OB Riley intersection to be problematic. ODOT in summer 2010 installed a raised median at US 20/7th-Bailey as a short-term improvement. The agency and County are in the late stages of selecting a long-term improvement to have a grade-separated crossing of US 20 at either OB Riley- Cook or 7th-Bailey. The County prefers OB Riley-Cook to preserve route integrity and minimize the turning movements at Fifth/Cook. Not all members of the community are accepting of the ODOT concept and would prefer a traffic signal or roundabout. Due to lack of potential near, mid, and long-term funding that may be available to construct either the C-4 or I-3 improvement projects, it is suggested that ODOT, Deschutes County, and Tumalo area stakeholders develop an interim solution which provides the necessary incremental system capacity designed in a safe and practical manner. Suggested improvements could include signalization, speed reduction, bicycle and pedestrian crossing improvements, and other similar treatments designed with consideration to the long term vision for the highway through Tumalo. All interim improvement concepts should consider both the needs of the highway user and the Tumalo community. Once a long-term preferred alternative is reached, ODOT and the County will pursue funding to construct the improvement. Of the two ODOT final long-term concepts, C-4 takes the County road over US 20 while I-3 takes the County road under US 20. The County through the TSP public hearing process expressed a preference for I-3. Additionally, the County recognizes the concerns of Tumalo residents regarding the way the long-term project could affect their community and requires that ODOT have an active dialogue in Tumalo after funding is programmed for this long-term project but well before they are designed or constructed: • Prior to design, ODOT will hold a public meeting in Tumalo to explain the purpose, need, and timing of the project and to receive and consider the viewpoints of Tumalo area residents and how they might be best addressed in terms of project design and construction. Topic: Tumalo Trail Response: Complementing efforts to provide a conflict-free crossing of US 20, Tumalo residents have desired a path linking the community to Tumalo State Park. Staff from Planning Division, the Road Department, Bend Parks and Rec, and Oregon State Parks have all agreed to the concept of having a trail on the west bank of the Deschutes River that would cross underneath US 20, linking the town and park. Staff has not been successful in several previous grant applications, but will continue to pursue funding for this project. Topic: Relocate US 20 to Connect to Northeast Bend and Points East Response: Travelers on US 20 who want to continue south on US 97 now enter Bend, proceed south on Third Street for a block, turn left at Empire, then a right turn to access US 97. Another option is to continue south on Third Street through multiple lights, then access US 97 just south of Butler Market/Mount Washington. Travelers wishing to continue east on US 20 go south on Third Street to Greenwood and turn left. Several members of the public have proposed easing congestion on Third Street and Greenwood by relocating US 20. EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 151 of 268 The two relocations most often mentioned are a new east-west road at the north end of the UGB that would go directly east to Deschutes Market Road and then send US 20 down either 27th Street or Hamby Road to the current alignment of US 20. A second concept is to reroute US 20 just past Gerking Market Road to angle northeast to connect to Tumalo Road, then making Tumalo Road the state highway all the way east to Deschutes Market Road and then follow the first alignment mentioned above. A third alternative is to use the Tumalo Road concept, but continue east on Morrill Road to Powell Butte Highway, then south on Powell Butte Highway to the current alignment of US 20. A fourth approach is to again use Tumalo Road as US 20, but then turn McGrath Road into US 20 and connect to Powell Butte Highway near the Bend Airport and again following Powell Butte Highway to the current alignment of US 20. A common misconception is US 20 traffic is predominantly through traffic bound for Burns and beyond. Yet, much of the traffic on US 20 (85% according to ODOT) has destinations in Bend and thus would likely continue to use Third Street regardless of whether US 20 was rerouted. The Oregon planning system stresses first attempting to solve urban traffic problems with UGB’s instead of building new roads on rural lands. ODOT’s Policy 1G, Major Improvements, emphasizes maximizing system efficiency and management prior to new construction. ODOT’s Policy 1H, Bypasses, echoes that language to demonstrate need and requires several restrictive aspects of access and land uses to ensure the long-term operation of new bypasses. The current modeling does not show widespread deficiencies on US 20 and thus does not support the need for relocating US 20 at this time. Topic: Pave Frederick Butte Road Response: Agricultural shippers with origins and/or destinations in Christmas Valley or portions of northern Lake County use OR 31 then US 97 to reach Bend. Paving Frederick Butte Road would reduce the length of their trip and send them on a State highway with much more capacity. Staff has driven the route and looked at the freight volumes, but does not feel there is enough traffic to warrant pursuing the concept at this time. OR 126 Corridor Sisters Area Topic: Extend Barclay East of Town, then South to OR 126 Response: The City of Sisters TSP indicates with planned improvements there is adequate capacity on OR 126. Given that fact, the existence of floodplains, and the pattern of existing rural residential development, there is not an identified need to add a Barclay Extension to the County TSP at this time. Redmond Area Topic: Needed Capacity on West Side of Redmond Response: The City of Redmond TSP and the County’s 2030 traffic model all indicate the need to develop a north-south “ring road” on the west side of Redmond. As congestion increases on OR 126 and US 97, travelers will divert to County roads. Additional travel and turning lanes will be needed on Helmholtz, EXHIBIT C ORDINANCE 2012-005 Page 152 of 268 South Canal Boulevard, and 61st Avenue. This will include extending Helmholtz to a future interchange at Quarry/US 97. The County TSP identifies and prioritizes these improvements in Chapter Five. Topic: Needed Capacity on East Side of Redmond Response: The City of Redmond TSP and the County’s 2030 traffic model indicate the need to add capacity to OR 126 at the east edge of town to the Crook County line. As described elsewhere, there are a significant number of commuters from Prineville and Powell Butte to Redmond. The County TSP identifies and prioritizes these improvements in Chapter Five. Topic: Expansion of Runways at Redmond Airport and OR 126 Response: When Runway 22 is extended to the northeast for 1,500 feet, OR 126 will need to be located to keep the highway out of the runway protection zone (RPZ). The approximately $6-million extension is anticipated to happen between 2015 and 2024. The intent is to shift the highway to the north. The lands around the airport are EFU so an exception to Statewide Planning Goal 3 would be needed. Other potential options are putting the highway underneath the runway or seeking a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). County staff anticipates either Redmond Airport, City of Redmond, or ODOT would be the applicant for the necessary land use approvals.