Couplet committee searches for a new consensus

The group facilitator fished hard for a consensus, Monday, May 17, at the Sisters Couplet Advisory Committee meeting. Although he managed to gather some preferences, the atmosphere of the meeting was that of unanswered questions, distrust and numerous complications.

The committee met for the second time after the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) put roadblocks in their previous plans to design a one-way eastbound Hood Avenue/westbound Main Avenue couplet.

The couplet is intended to relieve traffic on Cascade Avenue. ODOT told the committee in February that the sharp right-hand turn needed to access Main Avenue at the Locust/Highway 20 intersection would be dangerous for a federal highway.

Since then, the city, the consultants, and the committee have designed several alternatives. But it became clear at the May 17 meeting that each alternative has a list of disadvantages similar to the first design proposal -- as well as some advantages.

Some committee members are still expressing doubt about building a couplet at all, stating Cascade Avenue is only congested during special events and a few peak hours per week. But Eileen Stein, city manager, reminded the committee again that it is their task to design a couplet. A decision on building the couplet will be made by the Sisters City Council at a later date.

Some design options included making a one-way or two-way Locust Street to be the major access to the couplet; making Larch Street the major access; making Cedar Street a major access to the couplet; building a roundabout with two-way traffic on Locust Street north of Cascade Avenue; creating a right-in, right-out access for Locust Street south of Cascade Avenue; and building medians to block certain turns onto the couplet.

John Rahm, committee member and city councilor, suggested Cedar Street as a favorable westbound access to the couplet -- an option which had not yet been considered.

He was trying to find an alternative to using Locust Street, an option that has drawn criticism from ODOT because of the additional right-of-way required for the westbound right turn. He also was trying to find an alternative to using Larch Street, where there are concerns over safety and access issues relating to the location of Sisters Elementary School.

Stein said that option is addressed, but is not recommended in the Sisters Transportation System Plan (TSP). She said she would research it to see any listed disadvantages.

Joel McCarrol, ODOT representative, told the committee that they are too quick to jump on new options.

"I think the group gravitates towards the option they know the least about," McCarrol said. "Every meeting, there is a new option and you think it will be the bullet in the hole. Well there's no bullet in the hole."

Committee members appeared to disagree with his statement, and replied that each meeting ODOT gives them a list of compelling reasons to look for a new alternative.

Matt Hastie, group facilitator who works for the city's engineering consultant, Cogan Owens Cogan, told the group that there is no perfect solution, but he needs them to give a preferred option that he can present to the public at the committee's first public workshop, anticipated in June.

When Hastie asked for an informal vote, indicating a preference for a Larch Street access or a Locust Street access, Eric Dolson replied, "I hear you asking, 'Do you want us to have a couplet at all?'"

Dolson felt if he voted for one option, it might never meet ODOT approval.

Six members of the 20- person committee indicated tentative support of using Larch Street or Cedar Street as the major access streets. One member, Peter Russell of ODOT, expressed adamant support of using Locust Street and others remained undecided.