SRTS Projects 2020-2023

The Bethel and Howard Avenue Safe Routes to School projects were awarded grant funding from the Oregon Department of Transportation's SRTS infrastructure program. Both projects are currently in the community outreach phase of the project. The River Road at Hatton crossing project will be constructed in 2021.


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 will take place in the summer or fall of 2022.


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.

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. Construction is projected to begin in 2023.  

The Howard Avenue SRTS project plans to:

  • Construct a physically protected walking and bicycling space on the south side of Howard Avenue 
  • Build bike lanes on the north side
  • Add intersection improvements at River Road
  • Install wayfinding signs at major decision-making points
Howard Overview Pic

Howard Avenue Public Engagement

The first Howard Avenue SRTS Online Open House was held on July 1, 2021. The next open houses was held on November 17 and 18, 2021, via Zoom.  After gathering community feedback an initial design proposal will be created and a final open house in April, 2022, will share the proposal with the community before final engineering begins. 


Public Engagement

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

Past Open Houses:


  • Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 12-1 p.m.
  • Thursday, November 18, 2021,  7-8 p.m.

Howard Avenue Open House (1)

Contact Us

  1. Shane Rhodes (he/him)

    Transportation Options Manager
    SRhodes@eugene-or.gov
    Phone: 541-556-3553