Keizer to update Transportation System Plan; council flags River Road congestion for short‑ and long‑term study
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Summary
Councilors were briefed that the Transportation System Plan update is expected to take 12–18 months and that state planning rules shift emphasis away from congestion alone toward multimodal performance; councilors asked staff to consider short‑ and long‑term responses to River Road congestion as part of the TSP process.
City staff told the council on Feb. 24 that Keizer is accepting proposals for a Transportation System Plan (TSP) update, a process staff estimated will take about 12–18 months from consultant selection through completion.
Staff explained that state rule changes have shifted TSP priorities from single‑metric congestion measures to a multimodal focus that includes vehicle miles traveled and active‑transportation investments. The council discussed persistent traffic congestion on River Road and asked staff to include near‑term and long‑term options in the TSP update.
Staff said the TSP is the 20‑year blueprint for transportation investments and the document’s recommendations drive the city’s capital improvement projects and transportation system development charges (SDCs). Council members underscored that congestion relief is a frequent constituent concern and suggested the city address potential short‑term traffic‑calming or operational interventions while the broader TSP update proceeds.
Staff cautioned that fully building out the TSP recommendations would require significant funding and that SDCs and state funding play a major role. The council asked staff to examine options for River Road congestion mitigation and to return with proposals that could include short‑term operational fixes and long‑term capital needs tied to the TSP update.