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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />October 2, 2013 <br /> <br />CONTACT: Tom Larsen, Traffic Engineer, 541-682-4959 <br /> <br />From Public Information Section, 541-682-5523 or 541-954-2938 <br /> <br />FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> <br /> <br />One Lane of Olive Street Reopened Next to Capstone Building Project <br />A one-block section of Olive Street between 12 and 13 avenues is scheduled to be <br />thth <br />reopened to northbound traffic in the next few days. <br />Olive Street will continue to remain closed to southbound traffic and to pedestrian use <br />between 12 and 13 avenues, and northbound traffic may encounter lengthy delays. <br />thth <br />Olive Street was closed to traffic last April to protect pedestrians, cyclists and motorists <br />from heavy equipment and construction activity on a major housing project being constructed by <br />Capstone Collegiate Communities. <br />The apartment project’s first phase, on the east side of Olive Street, has been substantially <br />completed, prompting the City to approve the reopening of the northbound travel lane. However, <br />major building activity continues on both side of Olive Street, including the construction of <br />additional apartment units south of the newly opened apartment building and the construction of <br />more apartments and a second parking structure on the west side of Olive Street. <br />The area remains closed to pedestrians for safety reasons because active construction is <br />occurring adjacent to the sidewalk areas. Additionally, frequent closures of the northbound lane are <br />likely during construction hours due to overhead crane movements and the need for trucks and <br />other heavy equipment to offload or cross Olive Street in the construction zone. <br />In approving the partial reopening of Olive Street, City officials balanced commitments <br />made to the public about access with Capstone’s ability to employ practical construction methods to <br />make the reopening work. <br />“The safety of the traveling public and the people working on the building project is our <br />number-one priority,” said Tom Larsen, the City’s traffic engineer. <br />Larsen said City staff will monitor how the partial reopening works and will make <br />adjustments as necessary and leave open the possibility it may be prudent to re-establish the full <br />closure until construction activities have concluded on the east side of Olive Street. <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 />