Project Background
Description
This project includes defining alternative solutions, refining those solutions, selecting a preferred alternative and developing an IAMP.
The project includes identifying the study area; collecting policy, traffic, geometric and environmental data; and developing a public involvement plan. From that information, the current transportation deficiencies and environmental constraints will be identified. Next, the future travel demand will be determined and evaluation criteria and an evaluation framework will be established. The heart of the project will be to develop and evaluate transportation alternatives, land use alternatives, and local circulation/access alternatives and create an IAMP for the defined interchange management area. The Agency and Consultant will assist local government in revising local plans to be consistent with the IAMP and will assist in the adoption of those revisions. Public advisory committee input and management team direction will guide this project through each step. The general public will be kept informed through several open houses at strategic points in the project.
Public and stakeholder involvement and coordination are critical to the project success. A wide array of stakeholders exist, including at a minimum, the City of Keizer, the City of Salem, Marion County, FWHA, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, DLCD, business associations, neighborhood associations, emergency responders, other transportation service providers, and other state and federal agencies. The two Indian tribes hold title to property in the SW quadrant of the interchange, but this land is not sovereign.
History
The Chemawa Interchange (milepost #261) was added to I-5 in the 1970’s. When the freeway was first constructed twenty years earlier, it included a Chemawa Road overcrossing, but no connecting interchange ramps.
The interchange was modified in the 1980’s when Salem Parkway was constructed. The southbound off-ramp to Chemawa Road is a standard diamond configuration. The southbound off-ramp to Salem Parkway exits just south of the Chemawa Road overcrossing with the southbound on-ramp from Chemawa Road passing over the top and entering I-5 south of this point. In the northbound direction, the off-ramp from I-5 merges with the northbound off-ramp from Salem Parkway before intersecting with Chemawa Road. The northbound on-ramp from Salem Parkway merges into I-5 just north of the Chemawa Road overcrossing and just south of the merge by the northbound Chemawa Road on-ramp.
The northeastern portion of Salem and the City of Keizer has experienced very significant growth over the last couple of decades, putting much heavier pressure on this interchange. The population of Keizer is now 35,000, compared to 20,000 when it was incorporated in 1982.
One of the most significant and recent developments has been the 225-acre Keizer Station. The first facility in this complex to open was Keizer Stadium, home of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes minor league baseball team, in 1997. The first retail store opened in 2005, with new openings on going since then, with many more to come in the next few years.
As part of the Keizer Station development, Chemawa Road, Lockhaven Drive and the I-5 interchange have undergone major revisions. Chemawa Road west of the interchange has been expanded to five lanes with a new signalized intersection west of the railroad crossing. This new intersection includes access to the north into Keizer Station. Additionally, a grade-separated access to Keizer Station has been constructed under Chemawa Road just west of the southbound ramp terminal intersections. Both I-5 off-ramps have been expanded to three lanes at the intersection with Chemawa Road.
The majority of the Keizer Station development is in the NW quadrant of the interchange. Two smaller, future elements of this development are in the SW quadrant.
Most of the property in the NE quadrant is EFU, however, there are 55 acres that have been annexed by public vote into the City of Salem. The owner of this property desires to develop this property commercially, but that action cannot occur until at least five years following the positive annexation vote. The property to the north and east of this annexed property is in floodplain.
Previous Project Events:
I-5/Chemawa IAMP OPEN HOUSE
WEDNESDAY JULY 9, 2008
4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Whiteaker Middle School Cafeteria
1605 Lockhaven Drive NE Keizer
Participants were invited to learn more about the Chemawa Interchange Area Management Plan at the project’s first Open House. Visitors were able to drop by to ask questions and share their experiences with the Chemawa Interchange.