December 2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

New Search

locations. The project is an interpretive feature aimed at enhancing knowledge of and appreciation for the early inhabitants of this area. The project also provides a unifying element between Eugene and Springfield who share this treasured riverfront parkland. Whilamut Natural area of Alton Baker Park is the eastern section of Alton Baker Park, encompassing 237 acres dedicated for passive recreation and habitat restoration. It was recently given a Kalapuya name to recognize the native people who hunted, fished and gathered camas bulbs on this land and demonstrated their reverence and stewardship of the land. For more information about the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park or the Talking Stones project, contact Parks Planner Carolyn Weiss at 682-4914. State Releases Latest Traffic Crash Report for Eugene Area Streets The Oregon Department of Transportation has released 2001 vehicle crash statistics for Eugene area streets. For the third straight year, the total number of reported crashes fell in Eugene. The 10-year average for total crashes in Eugene is 2,180, with a peak of 2,414 crashes in 1998. For 2001, the total fell to 1,948 crashes. Traffic fatalities were up by one, from 9 in 2000 to 10 in 2001, and were somewhat above the 10-year average of seven fatalities per year. Four of the fatalities involved pedestrians. Eighty bicycle crashes were reported in 2001, well below the 10-year annual average of 91 bicycle crashes per year. Of the 80 reported bicycle crashes, 70 resulted in reported injuries. No fatalities involving bicyclists were recorded in 2001; in fact, in the past 10 years only one bicycle fatality has been reported, in 1994. The most congested intersections continue to have the highest number of crashes. In 2001, the greatest number of crashes—35—were reported at the intersection of 7th Avenue and Jefferson Street. The top 10 crash sites continue to iclude 7th and Jefferson, Coburg and Oakway, River Road and Silver Lane, River Road and Division, Highway 99 and Roosevelt, and West 11th and Bailey Hill. The Terry-Royal intersection, which had a high crash rate in 2000 and 2001, received a traffic signal in 2002, and staff anticipates a significant decrease in crashes as a result. One intersection showing an unusually large increase in crashes was Coburg and Centennial. Staff is investigating the crash pattern, looking for operational improvements to reduce the number of crashes at that location. The City Council goal of"Safe Community" includes an action priority, "Improve Street Safety." That action priority lists a number of initiatives by Transportation, Police and others to address traffic safety in a proactive manner, including educational outreach, enforcement, and safety improvements at key locations. More detail on these items will be available in the upcoming report on council goals to be distributed to the council in early 2003. For more information, contact Tom Larsen, Traffic Engineer, at 682-8450. City Receives Funding Authorization for Pedestrian Improvements The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has announced the award of a $40,600 grant for the improvement of pedestrian and bicycle access along the Amazon Parkway. Improvements will include sidewalks on the east side of the parkway to bus stops at 19th Avenue and 24th Avenue, a sidewalk from 24th Avenue to 24th Place on the west side of the parkway, a pedestrian refuge island for the Amazon Park Path-crossing of 24th Avenue just east of the Amazon Parkway, and completion of a bicycle lane south of 19th Avenue on the Amazon Parkway. Public Works Transportation staff submitted an application for this project to ODOT's Bicycle and Pedestrian Grant Program established to assist local communities. Funds will be available for this project after July 1, 2003, and ;onstruction is planned for the summer of 2003. For more information, contact Diane Bishop, Bicycle and Pedestrian EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 December 12,2002 cc1212020.wpd