04/14/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ellen Bevington, Planning Administrator of Lane Transit District, stated . that the councilors had been sent an official response from LTD, dated April 9, 1980. The three main points are: first, that 30th Avenue and , Hilyard Street is an important intersection for the bus routing system. A north-south route on Hilyard Street cannot be made because delay at peak hours would be excessive. Turn movements at the intersection cannot be made because of traffic congestion, and intersection geometries make these movements unsafe or unfeasible. Second, the 30th Avenue and Hilyard Street project, as proposed, is a multi-modal project whose design includes consideration for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, and automobiles. This project could not be justified for only pedestrians, only bikes, only transit, or only autos. Third, the project conforms to the T-2000 plan. In regard to Councilor Miller's question as to how many of the five-and- . one-half blocks would need to be widened solely for transit, Ms. Bevington stated she could not specifically answer in regard to transit, but if the intersection does not work for automobiles, it'will not work for transit either. The project could be scaled down to have simply bus turnouts or on-street bus stops, but if there is too much congestion and traffic does . not flow, LTD could not use it effectively. Additionally, 30th Avenue and . Hilyard Street has been identified in the T-2000 Plan as a location for a future transit node. Lane Transit District supports the improvements and they will benefit transit for South Eugene routing. Jim Demaris, 4595 Larkwood, President of the Southeast Firs Neighborhood Association, stated the consensus of the association that there is a need for this project to be completed without delay. They believe that this ~ project should continue because of traffic congestion and anticipated ,., development of the area. They are concerned about the problem of fuel consumption, delays in traffic movement causing additional air pollutants, and the availability of funding. Southeast Firs residents support this project and urge the council to continue it as planned. Diane Frank, Amazon Neighbors, stated the Amazon Neighbors are opposed to this project. They feel that widening promotes increased auto use without encouraging alternative modes. They are concerned about increased traffic 'speed with the proximity of Amazon Park and Roosevelt Junior High as this will perhaps be dangerous to children. They are also concerned about the possible bottleneck where Hilyard Street narrows from two lanes to one lane at 25th Avenue and widens back to two lanes at 29th Avenue. With increased traffic and speed, the bottleneck could pour traffic onto resi- dential streets. They are also concerned about the light at 30th Avenue and Alder Street which may divert traffic onto Alder Street. They are also concerned about the turn lane at 30th Avenue onto Alder Street which could increase the incentive for autos to use Alder Street. In general, they feel the plan is piecemeal and they do not feel it is a plan that is beneficial to their neighborhood. . 4/14/80--2