Chief
12-07-2007, 03:12 PM
Thank you for reading the Columbia River Crossing monthly email update.
In this issue
- Task Force meeting highlights new findings and cost estimates
- Did you know?
- Safe travel in winter weather
Task Force meeting highlights new findings and cost estimates
The CRC Task Force met Tuesday, Nov. 27, to begin its review of the project’s preliminary findings for the bridge, transit and highway alternatives being considered in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Project costs and public involvement were also topics of discussion.
The technical findings memo that was presented to the Task Force can be found on the project’s Web site: http://www.columbiarivercrossing.org/FileLibrary/TechnicalReports/PreliminaryFindingsMemo.pdf
The entire set of materials from the CRC Task Force meeting may be viewed at: http://www.columbiarivercrossing.org/ProjectPartners/TFMeetingMaterials.aspx.
The next Task Force meeting will be held Jan. 22, 2008, at 4 p.m. at the Vancouver Hilton, 301 W 6th Avenue.
The Draft EIS will document the impacts of each alternative on the community and natural resources and will be published in February 2008. At this time, the project will also recommend a Locally Preferred Alternative. A shared 60-day public comment period will follow for both documents.
Did you know?
In earlier phases of the project, many congestion relief ideas were considered and rejected because they did not address the project’s goals, as identified in its Purpose and Need statement. A tunnel under the Columbia River is one concept that did not move forward.
Many people ask project staff about the possibility of constructing a tunnel, but it would be difficult to match the existing roadway grades on either side of the river with a tunnel. As a result, the tunnel would bypass at least three interchanges in the project area: Vancouver City Center, SR 14 and Hayden Island. A tunnel would also require creating an intricate system of arterials to the east and west for vehicles to access the portals in and out of the structure. This system would have more water quality, right of way, archaeological and historic resource impacts than the alternatives under consideration.
Safe travel in winter weather
Courtesy of WSDOT
Winter conditions call for different driving tactics, like slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering, and slower braking. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. It's not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to be on time.
Drive with your headlights on.
Drive for conditions. Don't get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It won't help you stop any faster.
Drivers should allow additional room between their vehicles and others. Winter road conditions often result in longer stopping distances.
Avoid abrupt actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen the chances of losing control of the vehicle.
Look farther ahead in traffic. Action by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra time to react.
Avoid using cruise control or overdrive. Don't let your car make a bad decision for you.
Stopping on snow and ice without skidding requires extra time and distance. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don't have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop.
Columbia River Crossing contact information
Email: feedback@columbiarivercrossing.org
Mail: 700 Washington St, Suite 300
Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: 360-737-2726 or 503-256-2726
Fax: 360-737-0294
www.ColumbiaRiverCrossing.org
In this issue
- Task Force meeting highlights new findings and cost estimates
- Did you know?
- Safe travel in winter weather
Task Force meeting highlights new findings and cost estimates
The CRC Task Force met Tuesday, Nov. 27, to begin its review of the project’s preliminary findings for the bridge, transit and highway alternatives being considered in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Project costs and public involvement were also topics of discussion.
The technical findings memo that was presented to the Task Force can be found on the project’s Web site: http://www.columbiarivercrossing.org/FileLibrary/TechnicalReports/PreliminaryFindingsMemo.pdf
The entire set of materials from the CRC Task Force meeting may be viewed at: http://www.columbiarivercrossing.org/ProjectPartners/TFMeetingMaterials.aspx.
The next Task Force meeting will be held Jan. 22, 2008, at 4 p.m. at the Vancouver Hilton, 301 W 6th Avenue.
The Draft EIS will document the impacts of each alternative on the community and natural resources and will be published in February 2008. At this time, the project will also recommend a Locally Preferred Alternative. A shared 60-day public comment period will follow for both documents.
Did you know?
In earlier phases of the project, many congestion relief ideas were considered and rejected because they did not address the project’s goals, as identified in its Purpose and Need statement. A tunnel under the Columbia River is one concept that did not move forward.
Many people ask project staff about the possibility of constructing a tunnel, but it would be difficult to match the existing roadway grades on either side of the river with a tunnel. As a result, the tunnel would bypass at least three interchanges in the project area: Vancouver City Center, SR 14 and Hayden Island. A tunnel would also require creating an intricate system of arterials to the east and west for vehicles to access the portals in and out of the structure. This system would have more water quality, right of way, archaeological and historic resource impacts than the alternatives under consideration.
Safe travel in winter weather
Courtesy of WSDOT
Winter conditions call for different driving tactics, like slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering, and slower braking. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. It's not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to be on time.
Drive with your headlights on.
Drive for conditions. Don't get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It won't help you stop any faster.
Drivers should allow additional room between their vehicles and others. Winter road conditions often result in longer stopping distances.
Avoid abrupt actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen the chances of losing control of the vehicle.
Look farther ahead in traffic. Action by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra time to react.
Avoid using cruise control or overdrive. Don't let your car make a bad decision for you.
Stopping on snow and ice without skidding requires extra time and distance. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don't have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop.
Columbia River Crossing contact information
Email: feedback@columbiarivercrossing.org
Mail: 700 Washington St, Suite 300
Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: 360-737-2726 or 503-256-2726
Fax: 360-737-0294
www.ColumbiaRiverCrossing.org