French Prairie Bridge Project Back on Track!
February 5, 2018 - Over the last six months project leaders at the City of Wilsonville, the US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Oregon Department of Transportation have carefully reviewed the project’s approach to environmental permitting and have agreed to an environmental assessment (EA) review process. An EA is a more intensive environmental review process than was previously envisioned for the project. This type of study is necessary to comply with federal requirements associated with the uncertainty surrounding potential project impacts. After the EA process, project team leaders expect that FHWA will provide the project with a finding of decision document.
This approach maintains the current project workflow including selection of a bridge alignment based on information gathered to date.
City Recommits to Potential Advantages. Based on precedent work to date on the City’s Transportation and Community-wide Vision, City staff are leading this planning effort to bring several advantages, including:
- Safety
- Emergency access
- Recreational value
- Economic development
Focus of the Study. According to the updated schedule, the project aims to address the following questions:
- Where are the preferred landing points for the bridge?
- What is the preferred bridge type?
- What is the estimated cost of the preferred bridge and how might its construction be funded?
Other Updates. House Bill 2017 passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2017 includes assessment resources for ODOT to study adding capacity for autos and freight on the Boone Bridge for vehicular traffic.
Stay Involved! Please make sure you are on our e-mail list by signing up here. Our next project team meetings will be held this Spring. Community members are always welcome and invited to attend.
For more information, please contact Zach Weigel, P.E., at 503.570.1565 or by email at weigel@ci.wilsonville.or.us
