HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdmin Order 58-25-26 -- Temp Speed Reduction MLKAdministrative Order -- Page 1 of 3
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 58-25-26
of the
City Engineer of Public Works Engineering
of the City of Eugene
DESIGNATING TEMPORARY SPEEDS ON MLK JR. BLVD DUE TO
CONSTRUCTION-RELATED ACTIVITIES.
The City Engineer of Public Works Engineering of the City of Eugene finds that:
A. Under the provisions of Chapter IV, Section 16 of the Eugene Charter of 2002, the
City Manager is designated as the administrative head of the City and is specifically authorized to
enforce all ordinances of the City. In addition, EC 5.040 authorizes the City Manager or the
Manager’s designee to take administrative action establishing or altering traffic control areas and
traffic control devices including traffic control signals, signs, and pavement markings. EC 5.055
sets forth the criteria the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee should consider when
taking administrative action authorized by EC 5.040.
B. On August 5, 2020, the City Manager issued Administrative Order No. 58-20-17
granting the Executive Director of the Public Works Department the authority to exercise all of
the duties and responsibilities specifically defined as those of the City Manager in Sections 5.040,
5.045 and 5.050 of the Eugene Code, 1971. That Order also granted the Executive Director of the
Public Works Department the authority to further delegate those duties and responsibilities to such
person or persons qualified to perform the delegated duties.
C. On August 6, 2020, the Executive Director of the Public Works Department issued
Administrative Order No. 58-20-18 granting the City Engineer the authority to perform the duties
and responsibilities specifically defined as those of the City Manager in Sections 5.040, 5.045 and
5.050 of the Eugene Code, 1971. That Order also granted the City Engineer the authority to further
delegate those duties and responsibilities to such person or persons qualified to perform the
delegated duties.
D. ORS 810.180 (8) provides specific direction for establishing, on highways / streets
in the City’s jurisdiction, a temporary “designated speed” that is lower than the statutory speed
and includes additional criteria the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee should consider
when establishing a temporary designated speed.
E. For the safety and welfare of the public, it is necessary to establish a temporary
designated speed of 30 mph on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard from Centennial Loop (east
end) to Chevy Chase Street.
F. In making this decision, I have considered all of the applicable criteria set forth in
EC 5.055 and ORS 810.180(8). The following findings support my decision to establish a
temporary designated speed for this street segment.
Administrative Order -- Page 2 of 3
1. Current conditions / characteristics: Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd from Centennial
Loop (east end) to Leo Harris Parkway (west end) is a 4-lane Minor Arterial Street
with two westbound travel lanes, one eastbound travel lane, and one eastbound right
turn only lane. Leo Harris Parkway (west end) to Chevy Chase Street is a Minor
Arterial Street with two general purpose travel lanes, one eastbound and one
westbound, one two-way left turn lane, and two dedicated bus lanes, one eastbound
and one westbound. During University of Oregon (UO) Football games and for
UO graduation the bus lanes are used as general purpose travel lanes through
temporary signage indicating “Event Traffic Use Bus Lane”. The UO is currently
reconstructing a portion of Leo Harris Parkway, including parts of the Leo Harris
Parkway at MLK, Jr Blvd intersection, that would benefit from extending the
temporary speed order (#58-24-25) through both termini of Leo Harris Parkway at
Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. In addition to construction traffic accessing the
construction area, temporary traffic control and construction operations are in or
near the travel lanes on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd and Leo Harris Parkway.
Construction of the permitted public improvements and private development is
anticipated to be complete by end of April 2027.
2. Traffic engineering principles and traffic investigations support a reduction in the
speed of automobile traffic when there is construction within or adjacent to the
street.
3. These treatments are consistent with standards, limitations, and rules promulgated
by the Oregon Transportation Commission or the Oregon Public Utility
Commission or their successors through guidance from the Oregon Department of
Transportation Traffic Control Plans Design Manual and also with other recognized
traffic control standards including the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(Part 6) temporary traffic control.
4. Establishing a temporary designated speed of 30 mph on this street segment during
construction related activities from July 15, 2025 to April 30, 2027 (when the
temporary designated speed is posted) is consistent with the following Goal and
System Wide Policy in the Eugene 2035 Transportation System Plan, adopted by
City Council on June 26, 2017:
Goal 4: Address the transportation needs and safety of all travelers,
including people of all ages, abilities, races, ethnicities, and incomes.
Through transportation investments, respond to the needs of system users,
be context sensitive, and distribute the benefits and impacts of
transportation decisions fairly throughout the City.
System-Wide Policy 2: Consider safety first when making transportation
decisions. Strive for zero transportation-related fatalities and severe injuries
by reducing the number and severity of crashes through design, operations,
maintenance, education, and enforcement. In furtherance of the City
Administrative Order -- Page 3 of 3
Council’s adopted Vision Zero goal (Resolution No. 5143), prioritize safety
improvements for people who walk, bike and use mobility devices because
no loss of life or serious injury on our streets is acceptable.
Potential Actions for System-Wide Policies K: Evaluate City streets for
opportunities to lower speed limits when doing so will make the street safer
for one or more modes of transportation and not make it less safe for any
other mode.
On the basis of these findings, I order that:
A temporary designated speed of 30 mph for all vehicles will be established, from July 15,
2025 to April 30, 2027 (when the temporary designated speed is posted), on Martin Luther King,
Jr. Boulevard from Centennial Loop (east end) to Chevy Chase Street.
Dated and effective this 27th day of Augus , 2025.
Jenifer Willer (Aug 27, 2025 14:44:33 PDT)
Jenifer M. Willer, PE
City Engineer of Public Works Engineering