Feds okay next step in South Corridor transit project
Metro news release – Dec. 9, 2002
Contact: Gina Whitehill-Baziuk, 503-797-1746
The region took a step in the long-standing goal of implementing a major transit project in the southeastern portion of the region on Dec. 6 with the signing of the South Corridor Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS), signaling its completion.
Federal Transit Administration Regional Administrator Richard Krochalis and Federal Highway Administration Regional Administrator David Cox joined Metro Executive Officer Mike Burton and TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen in the signing.
?The development of a transit project in the South Corridor is yet another example of Metro and local jurisdictions working hand in hand on long-term projects that will ultimately protect the region’s livability and enhance economic development opportunities? said Burton.
The SDEIS is a report that compares ridership and costs as well as impacts and the benefits to neighborhoods, the transportation system and the environment. It includes a range of light rail and bus options and is a cooperative effort of Metro, TriMet; the cities of Portland, Milwaukie and Oregon City; Clackamas and Multnomah counties and Oregon Department of Transportation. The highway and transit administrations are the federal co-lead agencies for the South Corridor Project and Metro is the local lead agency.
The SDEIS will be released when notice of its availability is published in the Federal Register. In anticipation of this official action and the accompanying public comment period, the South Corridor Project is holding open houses to give a preview of the findings:
5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10
New Hope Community Church
11731 SE Stevens Rd., Clackamas
5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11
OMSI
1945 SE Water Ave., Portland
A public comment period for the project, scheduled to begin Dec. 13 and to end on Feb. 7, will include public hearings and additional community meetings. During that period, comments can be mailed to Metro, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97232, faxed to 503-797-1929, e-mailed to trans@metro.dst.or.us or recorded on Metro’s transportation hotline at 503-797-1900. Copies of the SDEIS and related materials are available from Metro.