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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />May 8, 2013 <br /> <br />CONTACT: John Bonham, Project Manager, 541-682-5300 <br /> <br />From Public Information Section, 541-682-5523 or 541-954-2938 <br /> <br />FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> <br /> <br />Repair Work Starts This Week on Fifth Avenue, Blair Boulevard <br />Work is scheduled to begin this week on a $3.5 million project to repair badly deteriorated <br />portions of Fifth Avenue, Blair Boulevard and Van Buren Street in Eugene’s north downtown and <br />Whiteaker areas. <br />Utilities have been at work in the area for several months, fixing underground services prior <br />to the start of the City’s street reconstruction project. The initial work by the City’s contractor, <br />Wildish Construction, will focus on curb and sidewalk repairs including the installation of dozens of <br />pedestrian access ramps. The initial phase of work should not have a significant effect on vehicle <br />traffic, but bike lanes will be closed and parking spaces will be unavailable near active work zones. <br />The major traffic impacts will begin in mid-June, when the contractor starts removing the <br />badly deteriorated road and rebuilding a new road in its place. This will result in extended full <br />closures of several blocks at a time on Fifth Avenue and Blair Boulevard. <br />The City of Eugene has worked with neighborhood groups and local businesses on a project <br />phasing plan. The scheduling plan and other project materials are available online at www.eugene- <br />or.gov/FifthBlair. Weekly construction updates will be provided at www.keepusmoving.info. <br /> Access to residences and local businesses will be maintained to the maximum extent <br />possible. However, delays and detours are inevitable on a project of this magnitude, with more than <br />a mile of roadway being reconstructed. Motorists and cyclists are encouraged to use alternate <br />routes. <br />When the project is completed later this fall, travel will be greatly improved for motorists, <br />pedestrians and cyclists. The primary source of funding for the project is the 2008 voter-approved <br />bond measure to fix streets. Other sources of funding include approximately $180,000 from the <br />City’s Community Block Grant program and funds from local stormwater and wastewater funds for <br />underground pipe repairs. <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 />