To reduce public health risk, Oregon Transportation Commission postpones March 20 meeting, opens extended public comment period

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To reduce public health risk, Oregon Transportation Commission postpones March 20 meeting, opens extended public comment period

March 13, 2020

For More Information, contact Tom Fuller (Thomas.Fuller@odot.state.or.us; tel: 503-480-5143)

SALEM – In response to Governor Kate Brown’s directive to cancel large group meetings and events in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) announced today that it would postpone its March 20 meeting until April 2. Further, the meeting will be by teleconference rather than in person to reduce the threat of exposing Oregonians to the coronavirus.

During its April 2 meeting, the OTC will receive updates on the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project and provide information to ODOT regarding the project’s environmental review. Due to the changes in timing and format of the OTC meeting and to ensure access for anyone who would like to provide public testimony on the Rose Quarter Improvement Project* or other agenda items, ODOT is opening a two week public comment period beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 and continuing through 5 p.m. PDT on Friday, March 27, 2020 (details below).

The April 2nd meeting will be streamed at https://www.YouTube.com/user/oregondot/live. The meeting will take place at ODOT Headquarters, 355 Capitol Street NE, Salem OR 97301. While members of the Oregon Transportation Commission will not be physically present, the Gail Achterman Commission Room will be open to members of the public. However, ODOT strongly encourages the public to consider tuning into the OTC meeting via livestream in order to reduce the risk of coronavirus exposure and spread.

*Note: For the Rose Quarter Project agenda item, the OTC invites comments on whether the Commission should direct ODOT to conduct an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement. The public comments submitted will be used solely to inform the OTC as it directs ODOT to proceed on the environmental review process in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, and is not a reopening of the public comment period on the Environmental Assessment, which closed on April 1, 2019.

Options to provide public testimony

There are multiple options to provide public testimony in advance of the meeting by telephone on April 2. Please choose one of the following and submit your public testimony by 5 p.m. PDT on Friday, March 27. If you would like help video-taping your comments, see option #3:

  1. Submit your written comments electronically at https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Get-Involved/Pages/OTC-Comments.aspx
  2. Submit your written comments via standard mail: ATTN: Oregon Transportation Commission, 355 Capitol Street NE, MS 11, Salem, OR 97301.
  3. Schedule an opportunity to videotape your comments at ODOT’s Region 1 Headquarters at 123 NW Flanders St. Portland, OR 97209. ODOT will provide videographers and dedicated timeslots to limit exposure for staff and the public. If you are interested in this option, please contact OTCAdmin@odot.state.or.us. Days and timeslots will be scheduled based on demand.

END


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