HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem B: West Eugene EmX Extension Update
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Work Session: West Eugene EmX Extension Update
Meeting Date: February 13, 2012 Agenda Item Number: B
Department: Public Works/ LTD Staff Contact: Kurt Yeiter
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-8379
ISSUE STATEMENT
In this work session, representatives from Lane Transit District (LTD) will provide an update on these
aspects of the proposed West Eugene EmX Extension:
1.Anticipated schedule for Federal Transit Administration review of the Environmental
Assessment;
2.Anticipated schedule for City Council reaffirmation of the Locally Preferred Alternative; and
3.Findings from a recent business and property impact study conducted for LTD by Rick Duncan,
Duncan & Brown.
BACKGROUND
The community’s comprehensive transportation plan, TransPlan (2002), proposed significant increases
in the amount and convenience of transit service, increases in the amount of bikeways and sidewalks,
and an expansion of transportation demand management (TDM) to help reduce congestion by 48 percent
over forecasted trends. One key strategy for transit improvement was development of a Bus Rapid
Transit (BRT) network.
The first BRT corridor (locally branded as “EmX”) linking downtown Eugene, downtown Springfield,
and the University of Oregon opened in 2007. The second corridor to Springfield’s Gateway/River
Bend area opened in early 2011.
On October 9, 2006, the Eugene City Council identified West 11th Avenue as the City’s priority for the
next EmX corridor study. The LTD Board of Directors endorsed the Eugene City Council’s action.
Fifty-eight distinct alternative alignments for the West Eugene EmX Extension emerged for
environmental analysis and extensive public review. In response to public input, LTD incorporated
measures that mitigate many potential impacts to adjacent properties. This was primarily achieved by
identifying segments where the EmX vehicles could travel in mixed traffic.
On March 9, 2011, the City Council voted to support LTD’s construction of EmX in West Eugene and
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selected the 6/7/11 route as the preferred route for West Eugene EmX. Based on this selection of a
Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA), LTD submitted to the Federal Transit Administration a Small
Starts grant application, Alternatives Analysis, demonstration of financial commitment, Fleet
Management Plan, and additional technical documentation. LTD and FTA are currently completing a
detailed Environmental Assessment comparing the impacts and benefits of the selected LPA and the
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“No-Build” option. As will be discussed in this work session, mitigation to further reduce impacts
identified as part of the Environmental Assessment and subsequent public review period will be
integrated into the future phases of the project as part of the preliminary and final design process.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
TransPlan Transit TSI Policy #2: Bus Rapid Transit
Establish a BRT system composed of frequent, fast transit service along major corridors and
neighborhood feeder service that connects with the corridor service and with activity centers, if the
system is shown to increase transit mode split along BRT corridors, if local governments
demonstrate support, and if financing for the system is feasible.
Growth Management Policies
Policy 10: Encourage the creation of transportation-efficient land use patterns and implementation
of nodal development concepts.
Policy 11: Increase the use of alternative modes of transportation by improving the capacity, design,
safety, and convenience of the transit, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation systems.
TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE – SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC IMPACTS
The Triple-Bottom Line analysis is not applicable at this time, because no decision is requested.
COUNCIL OPTIONS
For discussion only. No formal action is required.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
No action is required on this item. Therefore, no recommendations are offered by the City Manager.
SUGGESTED MOTION
No action is required on this item. Therefore, no motions are suggested.
ATTACHMENTS
None
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Kurt Yeiter, Senior Transportation Planner
Telephone: 541-682-8379
Staff E-Mail: Kurt.M.Yeiter@ci.eugene.or.us
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