New Search
Pec~era~Priorities 2007 Transportation <br />Went Bank Trail Extension <br />Request <br />The City of Eugene requests $4.75 million to construct an extension to the West Bank Trail to fill <br />in a gap in the City's overall river trail system that would improve traffic safety and connectivity. <br />Background <br />' The. Wesfi Bank Trail extension will .provide amuch-needed link in .Eugene's Ruth Bascom. <br />Riverbank Trail System. It will take advantage of unique and scenic waterway features in an <br />urban setting. Currently, a portion of the West Bank Trail along the Willamette Riven is <br />undeveloped between Formac Avenue and the Regional .Water. Pollution Control Facility <br />(wastewater treatment plant). Because this .portion of the bicycle and pedestrian :trail is <br />undeveloped, trail users are routed onto Copping Street where they must negotiate with motor <br />~'' vehicles to advance through the. West Bank Trail System. <br />The path at .full build would be <br />approximately 3,325-feet long and can <br />be constructed entirely on City-owned <br />property. The design would include a <br />typical 12-foot-wide, two-way, multi- <br />use path with 2-foot wide shoulders, <br />using a typical section of 7 inches of <br />concrete on 3 inches of base rock. <br />There also would be a -new, 10-foot- <br />wide connector path to Copping Street <br />between Rosewood and Heritage <br />Avenues. <br />In addition to the recreational benefits <br />of a closed-loop pathways system <br />-along the river, there are. useful <br />commute benefits for cyclists and <br />walkers who desire a safer, traffic-free <br />environment. Similar .trail projects <br />constructed in this community have <br />clearly demonstrated that providing <br />well-connected. off-street paths goes a <br />long way in reducing vehicle miles. <br />traveled by automobiles, a goal of <br />statewide and national concern. <br />