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STP Readiness 2010 - Narrative <br />Use this form or equivalent. Expand each box as needed but do not exceed one page.-- <br />Project Description and Need: This project entails replacing a sectiVraway t e Fern Ridge Path that is <br />presently failing with anew 1410-foot long section of path that is fart from the Amazon Creek. <br />The existing shared use path is failing and slumping into the Ama n Creek in some spots. It is a very <br />serious safety issue and we hear frequent concerns from pedestri ns and bicyclists. Temporary repairs <br />fail quickly and using scarce funding resources is not sustainable. The Eugene Metro Waterways plan <br />recommends that this path be relocated away from the channel so he slope of the bank can be lowered <br />to improve the waterway and prevent further deterioration of the path. Eugene Bicycle and <br />Pedestrian Advisory Committee ranked this portion of path as a very high priority for path replacement. <br />The path is currently lighted and the project would replace the lighting. Providing path lighting is an <br />important safety issue and is required by our design standards. <br />Potential for Completion: If any stimulus funding is not appropriated for completion of this project, then <br />the City will likely reprioritize its capital program to assure funding of the project. <br />Readiness: City of Eugene staff are available to do the design and any necessary permitting work. <br />Status of Real Property: The City of Eugene owns the land and no property needs to be purchased. <br />Complexity: This is a very simple project and city staff have extensive experience with path <br />replacement projects having completed several over the last few years. There is very strong public <br />support for replacing failing paths in Eugene. <br />Leverage of Modes: This is one of the most popular shared use paths in Eugene for transportation and <br />recreation uses. This portion of the Fern Ridge path is very close to commercial centers, two elementary <br />schools and one middle school, a major park with recreational features, a community garden, university <br />student housing and an abundance of wildlife along the Amazon Creek. The path primarily serves <br />pedestrians and bicyclists but also connects with nearby bus service at Arthur and Chambers. Eugene <br />has a very high number of bike to bus trips. <br />Outcome Value: The Fern Ridge Path is a critical east-west link in Eugene's nonmotorized <br />transportation system. It is the primary bicycle route to employment centers in west Eugene. Keeping <br />the path open and safe is critical to enabling people to get to their jobs and schools. Many people prefer <br />to use this off-street facility and avoiding the busy arterials in the area. If we are to attract more people <br />to walk and bike we need to provide a safe alternative for safety-conscience people. Due to the suffering <br />economy we are experiencing lower bids for our construction projects and under engineering estimates. <br />Construction projects keep people employed in our area. The new concrete path would have a 50-year <br />life. <br />Fern Ridge Path STP-Readiness-NOI. doc March 2010 <br />