05/23/13 - City Council Newsletter

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.Hilyard preparing the division to meet the unknown challenges it will surely face in the future. We have a lot of great work to build upon, and I am optimistic about the future of Eugene Parks and Open Spaces.” Carnagey is scheduled to start July 1. For more information, contact Kurt Corey at 541-682-8421. West Eugene EmX Extension Begins Engineering Phase The engineering phase of the EmX transit extension to west Eugene has begun. During the first few months of the engineering phase, the public may see surveyors and other technical crews gathering engineering information along the route. The result will be a refined project design based on the environmental assessment completed last year and new conversations with property owners and businesses along the route. The engineering phase is expected to continue through next winter. Construction will occur by 2016. LTD will provide updates if the schedule changes as a result of the engineering work. The City is partnering with Lane Transit District (LTD) to help with public outreach, minimize the impacts of construction, and support businesses during construction. LTD launched this phase of the project with a mailing to residents and businesses located within one-half mile of the West Eugene EmX route, and to owners of property located within one block of the route. A website created for this project (weemx.ltd.org) now contains a blog that will be updated every two weeks and an opportunity to sign up for e-mailed project updates. Beginning in early June, project staff will meet individually with property and business owners affected by road widening and new EmX stations to answer questions, consider design refinements, and discuss ways to alleviate hardships that may occur during the future construction phase. LTD selected Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) to provide the engineering services for the West Eugene EmX project. The PB team includes many local companies including Balzhiser and Hubbard Engineers, Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architecture and Planning, Cogito Public Involvement and Strategic Planning Services, PIVOT Architecture, and Sperry Tree Care. EmX provides fast, frequent, and easy transit service with convenient one-seat rides, level boarding, multiple doors on both sides, bikes on board, covered shelters, real-time passenger information, and fare vending machines. Once completed, this project will add 8.8 new round-trip miles of EmX service along West 6, 7, and 11 avenues. EmX will serve stations ththth every 10 minutes on weekdays, and every 15 to 30 minutes during evenings and weekends. Improvements to transit time reliability will reduce operating costs for the future. Questions about the West Eugene EmX project may be directed to John Evans at LTD at 541-682-6146 or John.Evans@ltd.org, or Kurt Yeiter, senior transportation planner at 541-682-8379 or kurt.m.yeiter@ci.eugene.or.us. 13th Avenue Renaissance Open House Looks at Connecting Campus to Downtown Eugene University of Oregon (UO) students, as part of an interdisciplinary organization called LiveMove ByDesign, have spent the 2012-2013 academic year conducting a corridor study for the “Downtown-Campus Corridor” (13 Avenue), and have developed a preferred roadway redesign through th extensive observation of transportation behavior, parking utilization, and case studies. LiveMove will unveil its findings and innovative designs at an open house on Tuesday, May 27, at Lawrence Hall, Room 206, on the UO campus. The session runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Attendees will Graphic rendering shows two-way bikeway on 13 th have an opportunity to give feedback and input, and initiate community between Alder and Hilyard. discussion on improving the corridor’s safety, accessibility and livability, while also stimulating economic activity and achieving City and university sustainability goals. For more information, contact Reed Dunbar, associate transportation planner, at 541-682-5727. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 May 23, 2013