Alder Street and University District
Streetscape Improvements
Project Update and Description
On July 9th, 2010, City staff submitted an application to ODOT for grant funding to implement a Two-Way Cycletrack facility on Alder Street and numerous pedestrian and bicycle improvements on Alder and 13th Ave. The complete grant application with concept drawings and more detailed project description are located under the resources section to the right.
During the 2011 construction season, Alder Street between Franklin Boulevard and 18th Avenue will be repaved through the City of Eugene's Pavement Preservation Program. Funding for this project is provided through the Street Repair Bond Measure passed by Eugene voters in the fall of 2008. A short section of 13th Avenue between Alder and Kincaid will be repaved at the same time. The remainder of 13th Avenue from Alder to Washington will be repaved during the 2010 pavement preservation program.
Project Scope and Objectives
The project scope is limited to the pavement preservation projects scheduled for the 2011 construction season. Because Alder Street and 13th Avenue function as important streets for a variety of road users (e.g. pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and auto drivers), Eugene Transportation Planning staff are investigating opportunities to make street improvements above and beyond the repaving project to better serve all users.
A City staff-led Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was formed to review existing conditions, provide technical input on design concepts, and to review input from stakeholders and the broader community. Representatives on the TAC included City Engineering, City Traffic Operations, and City Parking Services, Lane Transit District, PeaceHealth, University of Oregon, and Northwest Christian University. The TAC incorporated the following project objectives into design work:
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Complete the Alder Street bicycle corridor (provide northbound facility to Franklin Blvd),
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Improve comfort and safety for all road users,
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Improve streetscape aesthetics,
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Maintain or improve access and mobility, and
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Maintain or increase the amount of available on-street auto parking.
Design Concepts
City staff evaluated 5 different design concepts on Alder Street based on technical feasibility, public input, and grant funding opportunities that may pay for improvements beyond the current 2011 pavement preservation project. Design concepts evaluated included the following:
- No-Build: maintain existing conditions with some potential minor street striping updates,
- Contraflow Bike Lanes: extend existing contraflow bike lanes north to Franklin Blvd,
- Cycletrack Facility: build a two-way cycletrack from 18th to Franklin Blvd,
- Two-Way Street Conversion: convert Alder Street to two-way traffic with a shared auto/bike facility
- Combination: combine one or more of the above treatments.
Illustrative cross sections of the above design options (with the exception of the No-Build option) are available through a link on the right side of this screen.
Public and Stakeholder Outreach
City staff and the project technical advisory committee held one general public meeting to solicit public comment on five potential design concepts. Additional outreach was conducted in the field to bicyclists and pedestrians using the two project streets, to business and property owners along the project corridor, and two informational meetings on the cycletrack design concept were also held.
For additional project information, contact Associate Transportation Planner, David Roth at (541) 682-5727.
