SEASIDE - The Environmental Impact Statement for the Seaside U.S. Highway 101 project is now available at the Seaside City Hall at 989 Broadway or the Oregon Department of Transportation office at 350 W. Marine Drive in Astoria.
Both print and disk versions are available at no charge.
The document's proposal is to widen the highway to five lanes, with a center turn lane in places and a median in others. The project includes a one-way couplet at the south end of town. The document estimates the drive from Pacific Way to Dooley Bridge would be four minutes faster in non-peak traffic periods and 14 minutes faster during peak periods. The estimates required Gearhart to accept the project as well. Gearhart has rejected the project.
"This project could displace as many as 64 dwelling units and 18 businesses," the document reads. Up to 60 parking spaces may be eliminated, and about 110 businesses would have changes to their driveways, according to the document. Lost property tax revenue is estimated at $300,000, although the document states that would eventually be offset by raised property values due to the improved highway. These estimates are based on a project that included Gearhart, however.
According to the document, ODOT considered and rejected a bypass or a three-lane highway with a continuous left turn lane before the assessment began. They were not explored as viable alternatives.
