SRTS Projects 2020-2023

Oregon Department of Transportation awarded Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant funding to the city to improve walking and bicycling infrastructure used by students going to and from school. Funding is being used on specific projects in the Bethel and Eugene 4J school districts. Read more about specific projects that are receiving grant funding below.

River Road at Hatton: SRTS Crossing Project

Students living on the east side of River Road experience the 5-lane arterial as a significant barrier to walking and biking to school. High travel volume, vehicle speeds, and long distances between marked crossings all present challenges for students walking and biking to Howard Elementary and Kelly Middle School from the east side of River Road. This project is utilizing Safe Routes to School Rapid Response funds that were awarded after a fatal crash took the life of a community member crossing at this location in January of 2020. Construction is planned for late spring 2023.

The River Road at Hatton SRTS crossing project plans to:

Install a high-visibility marked crosswalk with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon pedestrian lights and signage
Construct a center pedestrian refuge island
Add additional lighting to the location

Bethel Area: SRTS Crossings Projects

Students walking or biking to Prairie Mountain School must cross busy arterial streets to get to school. Finding appropriate gaps for safe crossings of these streets can be challenging and pedestrian crashes have been recorded in the proposed enhanced crossing locations. Construction is planned for late spring 2023.

The Bethel SRTS crossings project plans to:

Install a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon pedestrian light at Royal Avenue at Throne Drive (there is an existing pedestrian crossing island and crosswalk)
Install a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon pedestrian light, construct a crossing island, and paint crosswalk markings near the Danebo Avenue and Unthank Drive intersection

Howard Avenue: SRTS Street Improvement Project

Students walking or biking to Howard Elementary School and Kelly Middle School currently have to use narrow shoulders along Howard Avenue to travel to the school. In addition, the intersection at River Road is offset, making crossing the street less intuitive. Neighbors, community members and parents have identified the need to create a safer more comfortable way for students to connect to the school along this main collector street.

The Howard Avenue project plans to:

Construct a physically protected walking and bicycling space on the south side of Howard Avenue
Add intersection improvements at River Road
Add speed cushions to the roadway
Install wayfinding signs at major decision-making points

Howard Avenue Public Engagement

The final design of Howard Avenue will be informed by community engagement. The city has held three open houses to inform and gather input on the project. The first Howard Avenue online open house was held on July 1, 2021. Two more online open houses were held on November 17 and 18, 2021. Input from open houses as well as a community survey is being incorporated into the draft street design. Additional open houses will be held (dates to be determined) to share the draft street design with the community for their final thoughts before the project moves into the engineering phase.

Visit the Howard Avenue Project Engage Eugene page to learn more about the community engagement process for this project.

Howard Avenue Timeline

The timeline for the Howard Avenue project has been extended as the city works to find additional funding to cover unanticipated project costs. The updated timeline for construction is summer 2024.