The technical committee for our Metropolitan Planning Organization meets today, Tuesday the 13th, and in the packet there are some City of Salem plans and intentions that have not been publicly discussed in City of Salem materials.
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| Last week |
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| Rs and Ds, avoiding the conclusion: We must drive much less |
In last month's discussion of the "Needs and Gaps" draft chapter of the long-range 2023 Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the City indicated they wanted the SRC to be retained formally as a "need and gap."
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| City keeps pushing the SRC as a "need" |
ODOT was clearer about the "no build" Record of Decision requiring a whole new process, and seemed to suggest that placement in "Outstanding Issues" might be more appropriate.
In light of our climate needs, it is very disappointing to see the City continue to push for more auto capacity.
Meanwhile, because of cost escalations, refined estimates on the package of five enhanced crosswalks that have been awarded funds are prompting the City to recommend funding only three and deferring two.
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| City proposes to cancel two crosswalks |
Crosswalks on Lancaster Drive NE near Weathers Street NE, on River Road N at Rivera Drive NE, and on State Street near 19th and 21st would be funded.
Crosswalks on Lancaster Drive NE between Sunnyview and Wolverine Street NE and a second crosswalk on State Street near 19th and 21st would be cancelled and put into the queue for other funding sources.
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| Plan for bonds in 2036 and 2049 (upper highlight in original, footnote highlight added) |
Finally, buried in a footnote on the new draft funding chapter for the MPO was news that the current plan for the City is to run bond packages out to the voters in 2036 and 2049, assuming the current one passes.
The City should be more explicit about this long-range plan and give information especially about funding Climate Action in them. 2036 seems like a long time to wait.
The TAC convenes at 1:30 today. The agenda and packet can be downloaded here.
1 comment:
Thanks for pointing out some wording in the draft chapter that needs to be made clearer.
The city of Salem is not proposing bonds explicitly in 2036 nor in 2049. The timing is based on the past GO bond measures which are roughly every 10-15 years (or so). The value and timing of the possible bonds is an estimate based on discussions with city staff, based on past GO bond measures.
These estimates are only for use in the MTP as the project list needs to be financially constrained. We are going an extra step in forecasting funds in approximate years to align with the proposed year of construction for the projects.
Ray
MWVCOG/SKATS
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