Jerry Wolcott
Project Leader
Oregon Department of Transportation
Dear Mr. Wolcott:
At our May SGNA meeting, the majority of the agenda was a presentation by Walter Bartel with David Evans and Associates. You are probably already aware that Mr. Bartel is the engineer and designer of the proposed divergent diamond at Kuebler Blvd. and Interstate 5.
I must admit that I and several others were skeptical of this proposal. However, Mr. Bartel spent almost 90 minutes explaining its design and its assured advantages. He patiently answered all our questions, of which there were many, and by the end of our meeting a good majority of us had turned from being dismissive of this idea to being much more accepting.
His explanation made sense to us as to how the design was more practical for the topography of that location, and how it would be efficient for all traffic, including trucks going to and from the industrial area. Also, we learned that for two years this proposal had been worked on and adjusted by Mr. Bartel and had been approved through various stages as a viable option by ODOT. This was contrary to the belief many held that this new design had been a last-minute proposal.
We believe the divergent diamond approach has some advantages in terms of traffic flow and could reduce the expense significantly while also reducing the construction time for such a major intersection. However, we also believe in the old adage that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
Therefore, SGNA feels that it would be prudent and wise for the Oregon Department of Transportation, in concert with David Evans and Associates, to arrange an independent and unbiased study of this design by a neutral professional. As stated above, the design has met requirements and expectations by the State of Oregon, but so far the traffic models have been prepared by either ODOT or David Evans and Associates. An independent study would be reassuring to the citizens of Salem and the trucking industry both of which are expanding and will continue to grow to the east of that interchange and in South Salem.
We also feel, as stated before in previous communications, that it would be more efficient that the work on the widening of the south side of Kuebler be in concurrence with the construction of the interchange no matter which design is ultimately chosen.
We look forward to hearing from you as to the possibilities of such a review dealing with this project.
Thank you,
Patrick O'Dell
SGNA Transportation Chair
cc: Peter Fernandez, City of Salem
Ralph Lambert, City of Salem
Walter Bartel, David Evans and Associates
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