MTIP Amendment: US20 at Tumalo (Comment Period)

The Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Board will consider an amendment to the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program on July 17, 2018 at the regular meeting of the Bend MPO Policy Board.  Your comments are valued and can be received by MPO staff up to the meeting date.  

Public Comment Period:  June 19, 2018 – July 17, 2018

Public Comment can be provided via email, mail or in person at the Bend MPO Policy Board Meeting on July 17, 2018.  
Details of the MTIP process, Policy Board meeting and additional information can be found at www.bendmpo.org/mtip

The Oregon Department of Transportation is leading this project with a partnership with Deschutes County.  

The project website is:
https://www.oregon.gov/odot/projects/pages/project-details.aspx?project=14892

Project Background:

The project was initiated in 2008 to address safety and congestion in the vicinity of U.S. 20 at Cook Avenue in Tumalo. ODOT and Deschutes County engaged numerous stakeholders including the Tumalo Business Associates, a community advisory committee, and the Tumalo Community Association from 2007 to 2011 through a process that identified and prioritized both short-term and long-term solutions.

With the population growth in Tumalo and surrounding area, the increase of traffic on U.S. 20 creates

congestion and backups on side streets, making it difficult for drivers to turn onto the highway from county streets. There have been a total of twenty one crashes on U.S. 20 between the intersections of

5th Street and Cook Avenue/OB Riley Road over a six year period from January 1, 2009 to December

31, 2014. Of these crashes, fourteen were intersection related. The primary purpose for this current project phase is to refine a plan for the long term solution that can reduce congestion and enhance safety at the intersection of U.S. 20 at Cook Avenue.

23 CFR § 450.316 requires explicit consideration and response to public comment received during the program development process. Public, staff, agency, and other interested party comments received prior to the adoption hearing are first reviewed by staff. Comments requiring minor revisions are addressed by staff. Such comments might include requests for additional information or clarification of information. Comments on policy issues or specific projects will be considered by the Policy Board at the public hearing. Comment received during the public hearing will be discussed at the public hearing. The Policy Board and staff will determine the most appropriate manner to respond to comments received. If significant changes to the proposed MTIP are recommended as a consequence, a revised final draft document will be resubmitted to the public for an additional review and comment period. Copies are free of charge and, upon request, will be made available in CD, print, and accessible formats. Upon request, in advance of the meeting, through any of the means listed above, every effort will be made to prepare materials in other formats and in languages other than English, and to provide interpreters in American Sign Language and other languages. Assistive listening devices and large-print materials will be available at the meeting upon request. The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC), which is the FTA Section 5307(c) applicant, has consulted with the MPO and concurs that the public involvement process adopted by the MPO for the development of the MTIP satisfies the public hearing requirements that pertain to the development of the Program of Projects for regular Section 5307, Urbanized Area Formula Program, grant applications, including the provision for public notice and the time established for public review and comment.