After a thorough public engagement process, the way we move through parts of downtown is about to change. On January 15, Public Works Transportation staff revealed two selected alternatives for the Central Eugene in Motion Study: Midtown Willamette Street and Downtown on 8th Avenue.
- Midtown Willamette Street: Over the coming 12 months, staff are planning to convert Willamette Street to two-way traffic between 18th and 20th Avenues. The conversion includes a northbound and southbound bike lane, as well. In addition, the traffic signal at 18th and Willamette Street will be upgraded and replaced.
- Downtown on 8th Avenue: Starting this winter, work will begin to convert 8th Avenue to a two-way street between Lincoln and Mill streets and repave between Mill and Willamette streets. The project also calls for a protected bike lane on both sides of the street. With a limited amount of space, on-street parking on the south side of the street will be removed, but about 50 spaces will be available on the north side of the street. Work is expected to last through early-summer 2021.
Over the next few months staff will work with adjacent property owners as they refine the design in each of the areas with block-by-block specifics and context considerations.
The third portion of the Central Eugene in Motion Study, Amazon to Riverfront, requires more study to better understand the impacts of the proposed changes. Staff are considering a number of alternatives that could add protected or buffered bike lines on parts of Pearl and High streets through downtown. Instead of making permanent changes, staff will implement temporary traffic changes to determine the impacts of removing a travel lane on High Street, south of 11th Avenue. The traffic study will start late winter or early spring 2020.
Visit Engage Eugene to learn more about Central Eugene in Motion check out Engage Eugene.
