New Search
/I I~..~ <br /> September 24, 1996 <br /> Public Works <br /> CONTACT: Wayne Westfall, Project Manager, 687-5560 Administration <br /> City of Eugene <br /> From Public Information Section, 687-5523 858 Pearl Street <br /> Eugene, OR 97401 <br /> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (503) 687-5262 <br /> NEW BICYCLE-PEDESTRIAN OVERCROSSING TO SPAN 18TH AVENUE <br /> A new bicycle-pedestrian bridge being constructed in west Eugene will provide a safer way to <br /> <br /> cross West 18th Avenue just east of Chambers Street and will provide better access from south Eugene <br /> neighborhoods onto the Fern Ridge Path. <br /> Construction of the Westmoreland overpass began September 16 and is expected to be <br /> <br /> completed early next spring. Funding for the $750,000 project includes approximately $490,000 from <br /> <br /> the federal transportation enhancement program, with the balance coming from local match funds. <br /> Wildish Construction is the contractor on the project. <br /> When completed, the 12-foot-wide, lighted, concrete overpass wilt connect to the paved path in <br /> Westmoreland Park on the south side of I8th Avenue and to the Fern Ridge Path along Amazon Creek <br /> <br /> on the north side of West 18th. Connections will also be provided to the sidewalks on both sides of West <br /> 18th. <br /> The project has been included in the Eugene Bikeways Master Plan since 1974, and the <br /> neighborhood groups representing that part of Eugene the Friendly Area Neighbors and the Jefferson <br /> <br /> Area Neighbors have supported the idea of abicycle-pedestrian bridge across West 18th since 1980. <br /> Traffic volume on that stretch of West 18th currently exceeds 18,000 vehicles per day. <br /> Both lanes of West 18th will remain open during the bridge construction. However, motorists may <br /> experience some delays due to lane adjustments and occasional lane blockages. Alternative routes such <br /> as West 1 lth and West 13th are recommended. <br /> <br />