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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />August 16, 2011 <br /> <br />CONTACT: <br />Patrick Cox, Public Works Engineering Project Manager, 541-682-6854 <br /> Shane MacRhodes, Eugene Safe Routes to School Coordinator, 541-556-3553 <br /> <br />From Public Information Section, 541-682-5523 or 541-954-2938 <br />FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> <br />Pedestrian Safety Improved as Part of Safe Routes to School Initiative <br />Just in time for the start of the new school year, pedestrian safety has been improved at a <br />number of locations around Eugene as part of the Safe Routes to School program. <br />Eugene Public Works and the local Safe Routes to School program in 2010 received $500,000 <br />in federal funding to make safety improvements at seven local elementary and middle schools. One of <br />the key improvements was to enhance crosswalks on busy streets to make it safer for students to walk <br />to and from school as well as improve safety for everyone. <br />"By creating a safe walking and biking environment we are creating more active transportation <br />choices for families, students, and our whole community," said Shane MacRhodes, manager of the <br />Eugene 4J Safe Routes to School program. <br />2G Construction working under contract to the City of Eugene this summer constructed or <br />improved crosswalks on Queens Way near Meadowlark/Buena Vista Elementary School; at the <br />intersection of Willakenzie Road with Bogart Lane and on Oakway Road at both Lariat Drive and <br />nd <br />Bedford Way, all near Monroe Middle School; on 22 Avenue at Onyx, Emerald and Agate streets and <br />rdth <br />23 Avenue at Onyx, Emerald and Harris streets, all near Edison Elementary; on 28 Avenue at <br />thth <br />Hilyard Street, on 30 Avenue and Alder Street, and on 29 Avenue at Harris Street, all near Camas <br />thth <br />Ridge Elementary; on Chambers Street at 15 Avenue and on 18 Avenue at Friendly Street, near <br />César Chávez Elementary; and on Todd Street at Ellen Avenue near McCornack Elementary. <br />ndththth <br />At four locations -- 22 and Agate, 30 and Alder, 15 and Chambers, and 28 and Hilyard – <br />pedestrian-activated rapid-flashing warning lights were added. At three of the locations the lights are <br />solar-powered. These are very similar to the flashing lights, sometimes called stutter-flash signals, <br />previously installed on Bailey Hill Road near Churchill High School and at two locations on River Road. <br />The rapid flashing lights are intended to draw the attention of motorists and alert them when <br />pedestrians are crossing busy streets. Motorists are required to come to a full stop and remain <br />stopped while pedestrians are in a crosswalk. A video providing additional information and driving tips <br />on rapid flashing beacons is available on the internet at www.eugene-or.gov/trafficsafety. <br />Other enhancements include path and sidewalk improvements, new bicycle parking facilities, <br />wayfinding signs, and speed reader boards on Cal Young near Meadowview/Buena Vista Elementary. <br /># # # <br /> <br />Public Works Administration ● City of Eugene ● 101 E. Broadway, Suite 400, Eugene, OR 97401 <br />Phone 541-682-8421 ● Fax 541-682-6826 ● www.eugene-or.gov/pw <br />