1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

New Search

I ' July 21, 199 NEWS REL ASE From Phil eiler, Public Information Analyst City Manag is Office, 682-5823 i Contact: T m Larsen, Ferry Street Bridge project manager Public Wor Department, 682-8450 I i WORK CONTINUES ON FERRY STREET BRIDGE PROJECT ~ Wor progresses on the Ferry Street Bridge corridor project despite three protesters 1 seeking to s p the removal of trees along the Willamette River. "We are in the earlier stages of i a two-and-a half year construction effort, so there is plenty of work for the contractor to do," said Tom Larsen Ferry Street Bridge project manager. "This small protest should not delay things in any way." everal trees need to be taken out on either side of the river to accommodate a pedestrian d bicycle bridge that will be built parallel to the existing Ferry Street Bridge. "O biggest concern is for the safety of the woman who has climbed into a cottonwood tree on the rth side of the river. Cottonwoods are very brittle and branches break off easily. In fact, the wo an almost fell earlier this morning when the branch she was standing on snapped off," Larsen said. City f Eugene staff have met with people opposed to tree cutting on several occasions to i help explain the project and the efforts made to protect the maximum number of trees. Last Thursday, s ff led a group of about 30 people on a tour of the trees slated for removal. The project's tre protection plan calls for 313 existing trees in the project area to be preserved with more than 5 0 new trees to be planted by the time construction is complete in 1999. "We are confident that we can resolve things with the protesters quickly and peacefully. We recogni a that trees are an emotional issue for a lot of people in this community. We are trying to bal ce those feelings with the fact that this bridge will significantly improve safety and accessibility for pedestrian and bicycle travelers. I think we have been successful in striking a j~ fair balance, 'Larsen said.