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i <br /> E ~ News Releas East Bank Bike Trail Agreement <br /> ' i March 12, 20 1 <br /> Page 2 <br /> <br /> ~w'- i <br /> As pa of the recently signed agreement, the property owners will construct the <br /> II structure and decking fora 700-foot-long, 16-foot wide causeway with a centrally located <br /> observation ullout along a strip of land in the Delta Ponds area. The City will finish the bridge <br /> ,I <br /> with surface aving, lights, railings, and other amenities. A unique "build-as-you-go" <br /> construction ethod will be used to avoid impacts to wetland areas. <br /> Other elements of the agreement call for the City to construct the balance of the path, <br /> I, including wrought-iron fencing to satisfy safety concerns of residents at Willamette Oaks <br /> retirement c nter, and to align several portions of path to minimize the need to remove trees. <br /> "We ave truly achieved awin-win agreement," said Jim Rash, retired President PW <br /> Pipe. "The s fety and business concerns of the property owners have been addressed, path <br /> users will ha e a unique opportunity to connect with nature, and we're doing everything possible <br /> to protect th environment." <br /> City ngineer Les Lyle said the City plans to apply in the next 30 days for the necessary <br /> permits to c nstruct the path, so construction can begin once the permits have been issued, <br /> probably in t ree to four months. "Another benefit of the agreement is that it avoids the cost <br /> and addition I delays that could result if property owners were to contest the project," Lyle said. <br /> j Cons ructing the final segment of the path is estimated to cost approximately $2.16 <br /> million. Pro erty owners have agreed to construct the basic causeway structure, which is <br /> estimated to cost approximately $300,000. The City will pay its share of the path costs using <br /> transportation systems development charge funds. <br /> ~ With he completion of the East Bank Trail, the east side of the Willamette River off- <br /> street bike p th will run almost eight miles from Greenacres Road in north Eugene to West D <br /> Street in Sp ingfield . The riverside path on the west side of the river runs almost five miles <br /> from Owoss~ Bridge to Autzen Bridge. <br /> ~rn' ' i <br /> I <br /> I <br /> <br />