New 13th Ave 2-way bike lane opens this week.

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Gary Haliski

From the City of Eugene: The new 13th Avenue Bikeway  opens for use this week. The bikeway features a two-way protected bike lane on 13th Avenue between Alder and Lincoln streets, linking the University of Oregon Campus to Downtown Eugene. The grand opening celebration, Shift Lanes: 13th Avenue, runs October 23 – 30 (Friday – Friday). Community members can enjoy physically-distanced fun for all ages: group rides, discounts at local businesses, livestream talks, the Filmed by Bike Film Festival, and more!

The UO LiveMove student group, focused on designing transportation systems to improve livability, first developed a plan for the bikeway in 2014 when off-campus housing was under construction along 13th Avenue. Wanting to plan for students to safely and efficiently get back and forth to campus, the students proposed their idea to City of Eugene who—with the assistance of federal funding—was able to create a new design for the street.

The vision comes to fruition this fall with the opening of the 13th Avenue Bikeway. Biking on the street is a whole new experience! A new concrete barrier separates the bikeway and the vehicle travel lanes, creating a separate and comfortable space for people of all ages and abilities biking the street. Intersections with signals now have bike-only signal phases to prevent turning conflicts between people driving and people biking.

Highlights include:

  • 12-foot wide two-way protected bikeway on the north side of 13th Avenue
  • Green paint highlighting the bikeway through intersections and conflict zones
  • Concrete barrier between the bikeway and vehicle travel lanes
  • Bike signals at all signalized intersections allowing for two-way travel
  • New wayfinding signage along the bikeway
  • Improved traffic signals including audible pedestrian devices and countdown timers
  • Raised pedestrian crossing at 13th Avenue and Lincoln Street
  • New vehicle parking bays

Help celebrate the new bikeway! The Shift Lanes: 13th Avenue grand opening celebration invites residents to reduce their carbon footprint by shifting modes from driving in the vehicle lane to biking in the bike lane with a week of fun events. Starting Friday, October 23, people can access ‘ride and seek’ deals with a variety of local businesses along the bikeway by showing their bike helmet. Local groups such as GEARS (Greater Eugene Area Riders), BEST (Better Eugene-Springfield Transportation), Climate Revolutions by Bike, and the Electric Avenue bike shop will offer physically-distanced rides throughout the week. Look out for Family Fun Day on October 25 and AARP Day on October 30 as well as livestream events, movies, talks, and more.

If you choose to attend, you are required to follow public health precautions to keep yourself and others safe by wearing a mask, washing your hands, and maintaining physical distance. Community members of all ages have an important role in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Remember, stay home if you’re sick.Questions or comments? Contact Reed Dunbar, Transportation Planner, 541-682-5727

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Beltline/Delta lane and ramp closures begin this coming Friday, Oct 30

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Gary Haliski
Road Work Ahead

From ODOT:

Some significant lane and ramp closures begin this coming Friday and last throughout November with the exceptions of:
– No work on Halloween (Saturday, 10/31)
– No work on Tuesday, 11/3 until after the polls close at 8 p.m.
– No work over the Thanksgiving holiday

ODOT has been working to address the interchange’s outdated design with
mobility and safety improvements. In order to keep on schedule, budget, and
make as much progress possible before the needed winter rains arrive, the
project requires nighttime and daytime lane and ramp closures.

We anticipate temporary increased traffic congestion during these periods.
The four pending closures are:

Weekend Nighttime Closures on Delta Highway
Beginning Friday, October 30 (7 p.m.) to Saturday, October 31 (6 a.m.)
crews will close the outside Delta northbound travel lane to complete
shoulder widening work. Beginning Sunday, November 1 (10 p.m.) to
Monday, November 2 (6 a.m.) crews require complete nighttime closure of
Delta Highway just south of Beltline Highway to perform temporary paving.
Concurrently, three Beltline/Delta Interchange ramps also necessitate
closing (Beltline eastbound to Delta northbound, Delta southbound to
Beltline eastbound, and Delta northbound to Beltline westbound).
Detour signs will guide travelers.

10-Day West side Lane Reductions and Crossover: Delta Highway
Beginning Tuesday, November 3 (8 p.m.) crews will close the outside
Delta northbound travel lane and begin work to shift traffic to the east side
to build up the roadway for the future new intersection. At 9 p.m., crews
require complete closure of northbound and southbound lanes just south
of Beltline to complete the shift of traffic lanes to the highway’s east side,
providing one travel lane in each direction. The roadway will reopen to
traffic at 5 a.m. with this single lane crossover configuration. This new
layout will remain in place until November 13 (10 p.m.). Expect increased
traffic.

12-Day East side Lane Reductions and Crossover: Delta Highway
Beginning Friday, November 13 (10 p.m.) to Wednesday, November 25 (6
a.m.) all northbound and southbound traffic will shift over to the west side
on Delta Highway with one lane in each direction for crews to finish the
roadway build up for the future new intersection. Expect increased traffic.

3-Day Weekend Ramp Closure Beltline Highway to Delta Highway
Also on Friday, November 13 (10 p.m.) until Monday, November 16 (6
a.m.) crews require closure of the eastbound Beltline Highway ramp to
northbound Delta Highway to build up the roadway to match the new
section on Delta Highway. Detour signs will guide travelers.

Please note: All schedules are weather dependent and may shift based on
forecasts.

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Public Safety—Traffic Signs and Signals

Posted on October 27, 2020 by Tim Foelker

Have a concern about traffic safety in and around your neighborhood? Need a new sign or signal?

Public safety is always a concern for residents of Santa Clara and SCCO.

You will find information on Eugene Traffic Operations at this link:
https://www.eugene-or.gov/313/Traffic-Operations

Under Services, click “Traffic sign – report missing, request maintenance or request new” for an online maintenance services request form—and Public Works contact number/email.

Other traffic resource information:
https://www.eugene-or.gov/625/Traffic-Signals
https://www.eugene-or.gov/DocumentCenter/View/42674/TrafficSignal-Fact-Sheet

Posted in General Interest, Public Safety, Transportation, Urban Planning | Leave a comment

LTD to Begin Discussion Toward Future of Santa Clara Surplus Property [@ New Santa Clara Transit Station]

Posted on October 22, 2020 by Tim Foelker

At their October 21 meeting, the LTD [Lane Transit District] Board of Directors will discuss a motion to declare the portion of the undeveloped Santa Clara parcel to be surplus property. In 2015, LTD purchased an eight-acre lot with the intent of relocating its current transit station from River Road just south of Beltline to the new location on River Road between Green Lane and Hunsaker Lane, the former Santa Clara Elementary school.

In early 2018, LTD began conversations with the Santa Clara neighborhood about the plan to build the Santa Clara Transit Station on the site, understanding LTD would use only a portion for the station and sell the remaining land. As a mass transit district, LTD may only purchase, develop, or manage the property for transit purposes. Declaring the remaining undeveloped lot surplus will release the property from mass transit restrictions allowing an opportunity for another public or private developer to implement the neighborhood vision for housing, commercial development, and public investments. The move to declare the property surplus does not commit LTD to a timeline or process to sell the property.

LTD takes great pride in being a good neighbor. Transit stations are regularly serviced to ensure they are well-maintained, safe, and clean. “I am excited to see the Santa Clara Transit Station completed in early 2021. The new traffic signal will create safer conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. The new lighting and security amenities along with the attractive station design will encourage economic development. LTD is looking for public and private partners who want to spark economic development and create a space where families feel safe walking, biking, or riding LTD buses,” said Board Vice President Caitlin Vargas.

Information

For more information about the project, Click Here
For More Information: Randi Staudinger, LTD Project Manager, Randi.Staudinger@LTD.org

For Public Comment: SCTransit@LTD.org or 541-682-3240

Posted in Beaver-Hunsaker & Multi Use Path, General Interest, Land Use Planning, LTD Mass Transit, LTD Transit Station, Parks - Dog Parks, Public Safety, Transportation, Urban Planning | 1 Comment

Check your ballot status

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Gary Haliski
State of Oregon Seal

If you’ve sent in your ballot and are wondering if it has been received, you can check on the State of Oregon website. Just fill in your name and birthdate in the following page on the State of Oregon website – https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/vr/showVoterSearch.do?lang=eng&source=SOS

Posted in General Interest | 2 Comments