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Brett Way Extension Moving Forward
This article was in Thursday’s (January 25th, 2018) Herald and News
Written By: Stephen Floyd, H&N Staff Reporter
The Brett Way extension project, aimed at creating safer access to Crater Lake Klamath Regional Airport and encouraging industrial development, is moving out of its initial phase and toward the acquisition of funding.
Scott Beaird, of Kittelson & Associates Inc., told county commissioners Wednesday initial designs will be completed in July, including cost estimates, allowing the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to seek funds for the project.
ODOT is working with Klamath County and Klamath Falls to fund and complete the project. Kittelson & Associates has been subcontracted as a consultant for ODOT.
The extension of Brett Way from Summers Lane to Homedale Road was first put forward to local officials in 2014. The goal is to close access to the airport from Summers Lane to increase traffic safety, as well as build a road through current agricultural land officials wish to zone as industrial.
ODOT initially expected to complete the project this year, but Beaird said the completion date has been moved to 2021. Project designs are scheduled to be finalized by November of 2019, with the project going out for bid by March of 2020.
Included in the project are improvements to the intersection of Homedale Road and Highway 140, which is expected to see a significant traffic increase after the project is complete. Beaird said the safest option would be a roundabout, as a traffic signal would likely increase collisions by causing drivers to come to a sudden stop on a highway.
Costs between the two would be comparable, as a four-way stoplight would cost around $3.6 million and a roundabout around $3.8 million. County Public Works Director Jeremy Morris said a roundabout would be less expensive in the long run, as replacing old traffic signals may come at a cost of $400,000, on top of the power bill to operate them.
Commissioners made no decision to select one type of upgrade or another, but were informed they would be expected to contribute between $250,000 and $300,000 to the upgrade. They were also told the county owns land directly south of the intersection, which would make construction of a roundabout simpler as there would not be a need to purchase easements.
The Klamath Falls City Council is also expected to receive an update on the Brett Way extension during a workshop Feb. 20.
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