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Recent Progress
The Design Team is currently working on the interchange layout, R/W impacts, hydraulics report, access report, utility plans, environmental impacts, geotechnical evaluations, and access plans. A public open house was held on February 5, 2004. An open meeting was conducted at Blue Bird Inc in Peshastin on February 13, 2004 at the request of Blue Bird management and local fruit growers and a second public open house was held on Monday, June 21. A Design/Access Hearing was held November 3, 2004. From the Hearing, a concern was raised about the economic vitality impacts due to restrictions of crossing US 2. The County Commissioners and land owners have requested an equipment under crossing estimated at approximately $1million dollars. This was not anticipated and cannot be accommodated within the project's construction estimate.
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Design Construction Impacts
Approximately 20 parcels will be impacted by this project. There will be impacts to orchards and local businesses. Utility relocations will include fiber optic, power, domestic water, and irrigation lines. A park and ride lot and transit stop will be impacted with the location of the interchange and may therefore be reconstructed. Purchasing Right of Way will begin in the Summer of 2005.
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Environmental Impacts / Compliance
Under NEPA guidelines, the project has been categorized as a Documented CE (Categorical Exclusion). A Draft Environmental Classification Summary was completed in June 2003.
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Impacts to Traffic
Traffic will be impacted on US 97, US 2 and on local county roads. On US 2, traffic will be detoured or shifted onto either side of the existing highway during construction. On US 97, traffic will not be impacted until the major tie ins are made due to the proximity of the interchange to the existing US2/97 intersection. Final detour and staging plans will be completed in the Spring of 2005.
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