Franklin Boulevard Transformation

Graphic of a street with all transportation modes, individuals walking, biking, waiting for a bus

BUILD Grant Submitted!

The Cities of Eugene and Springfield submitted a joint application for federal grant funding on May 18, 2020. If awarded, the funding will be used for project construction beginning 2022. Application materials can be viewed here. To learn more about BUILD grants, you can visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s BUILD Grant website.


Franklin Boulevard Preferred Alternative

On Tuesday, March 10, 2020 the preferred alternative for Franklin Boulevard (also known as the preferred final concept design) was revealed at a public open house. If you were unable to attend the public open house, you can to view the preferred design and all information shared on the open house web page.


What is the project?  

The City of Eugene is spearheading a planning process for Franklin Boulevard from Alder Street to Interstate 5, including Garden Avenue. The purpose is to transform Franklin from an auto-focused state highway to a pleasant,  multi-modal urban street that is safe for people walking, biking, riding the bus and driving.


Why is it needed?  

Franklin Boulevard, with its wide lanes, can be an unsafe and uncomfortable street. For people who walk, bike, or ride the bus, Franklin Boulevard can be a significant barrier to getting from place to place. Because of that, fewer people choose to walk or bike to make connections between the University of Oregon, surrounding neighborhoods and Willamette River trails to the north, hindering the City of Eugene’s long-term efforts to reach climate reduction goals.  The project will also encourage new ways for businesses and neighborhoods near Franklin Boulevard to redevelop the boulevard into a more comfortable connector of places, rather than a divider.

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Franklin Blvd Through the Years

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Project Timeline

The project planning and design phase is anticipated to take place January 2019 through June 2020.


Design Discovery Workshop:

January 28 - 31, 2019

A four-day workshop where the City gathered community feedback and incorporated it into initial design concepts for a transformed Franklin Boulevard.


Project Alternatives Evaluation and Screening:

February - May 2019

Following the first design workshop, project alternatives were developed.


Design Open House:
May 29, 2019		An open house where the City presented draft design concepts and project alternatives to the community so that they could benefit from community input and be revised.


Project Alternatives Design and Refinement:
May - February 2020		Following the second design workshop, project alternatives were refined and evaluated for a final design concept.
Open House: March 10, 2020
The City presented the preferred final design concept to the community at a public open house for final feedback.
Corridor Analysis and Recommendation Report:
March - June 2020		A report presenting the final analysis of the opportunities and constraints involved with transforming Franklin Boulevard, as well as final recommendations for how to design and implement an updated Franklin Boulevard.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Analysis 
May 2020 - June 2021		The City and its partners will assess the environmental and related social and economic effects of the selected design alternative.