Under the recommendation, referred to as Alternative 4, Derr Road would turn into a five-lane roadway with a dedicated left turn lane and multi-use path on the east side of the road within the existing right-of-way.
However, ODOT officials said they were unable to reach a recommendation with the report that was submitted to them by the engineering consulting firm American Structurepoint hired by the city to recommend a plan for Derr Road.
“Yes we are disappointed,” said Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck. “But we believe we have selected the best alternative for everyone involved and want to move forward as quickly as possible.”
MORE: Final vote expected Friday on Derr Road project in Springfield
Matt Parrill, transportation planning and engineering administrator for ODOT, said there was not enough information in the report submitted to them.
“At the end of the day, there’s just not enough information in that report for us to vote yes,” Parrill said.
Parrill said as the Friday meeting approached, ODOT was still left with questions regarding things like air quality, quantitative safety analysis and system condition.
“Missing certain pieces of it wouldn’t allow us to fully assess the scope of the project,” Parrill said.
ODOT’s approval on the Derr Road project is needed in order for the city to receive state funding for the project. In order for the city to receive state help with funding, the city had to look for ways to reduce congestion and promote cleaner travel options, such as bicycles.
Parrill said work was rushed on both the cities side, and ODOT’s, in an effort to try to have a decision by Friday.
“Everybody rushed. We were getting pieces of information as late as this Wednesday,” Parrill said. “And it’s not information you can review quickly- you don’t want to review it quickly.”
Parrill said comments about the report will now be sent back to the city for elaboration.
“We know Derr Road needs to be reconstructed and we are working to develop an alternative that improves the safety of everyone- motorists, bikers, everyone,” Heck said. “We want to be able to address those issues correctly, and in the right way.”
The TCC will now discuss the future of Derr Road at their Sept. 13 meeting.
In December, the city presented the public with four ‘alternatives’ that included options such as reducing the street to one lane in both directions in order to implement bike paths or adding a turn lane and creating a multipurpose path.
MORE: Options revealed for Springfield's Derr Road project
Under Alternative 4, two lanes will remain in each direction for through traffic and a dedicated left turn lane would be added to the section of Derr Road between Home Road and Providence.
The roadway cross section will resemble Derr Road between Providence and Villa, where the road is already constructed as five-lane section, Heck said previously.
The project will also add missing sections of sidewalk to make a continuous path, as well as include a bike path.
People who live on Derr Road said they were happy to learn the city had selected Alternative 4.
William Miller, who lives on Derr Road, had been pulling for Alternative 4 because he felt like it was a win for everyone.
“There are times when it seems like the only way we can get out of the driveway is to maneuver into that inside lane,” Miller said. “Putting in that turn lane is going to be a huge plus for us. So I have to sacrifice some frontage to accommodate that bike path, I’m good with that.”
Fred Stricklen, who has lived on Derr Road since the 1950’s, said he was also a fan of Alternative 4, and he was disappointed that the project would be getting delayed.
“At this rate, Derr Road isn’t going to change until 2025,” Stricklen said after Friday’s meeting.
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