September 26, 2005 - Today's Other News Items

Projects Detour Pedestrians, Vehicles

Three major construction projects will require pedestrians or automobile drivers to alter their routes on or near campus for the next several months.

Renovations to the university's Health and Counseling Center and construction of the Living Learning Center will affect pedestrian and automobile traffic on campus at least through this school year. Off campus, Lane Transit District's EmX project will affect traffic along a portion of Franklin Boulevard through October.

Sidewalks along 13th and Agate Streets that border the Health and Counseling Center will be closed through December 2006 during the center's renovation. While construction of the new Living Learning Center continues, sidewalks along the north side of 15th Street will remain closed through July 2006.

In addition to the hazard of walking in traffic lanes, those who ignore signs designating alternative routes also risk being fined $75. A City of Eugene ordinance prohibits walking in the street when sidewalks are closed for construction.

Also on campus, the walking path east of the Erb Memorial Union (EMU), between the Living Learning Center project and Carson Hall, will be closed through July 2006 while the center is under construction. Signs are posted directing pedestrians to detour routes. Access that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to and from Carson Hall is provided at the west entrance to Carson.

The Health and Counseling Center will remain open throughout the renovation and ADA-compliant access is provided from the Beech Street entrance on the west side of the building facing Carson Hall. A new entrance on the south side of the building that is expected to be completed in October will provide pedestrian and ADA-compliant access during the remainder of the renovation.

Construction projects also will alter automobile traffic on and near campus. Metered parking along 13th Street in front of Oregon Hall will be removed to accommodate traffic during the Health and Counseling Center renovation. The current eastbound lane will become part of the construction staging area.

The north (westbound) lane of Franklin Boulevard between Onyx and Agate Streets and the adjoining sidewalk will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to the end of October for construction of Lane Transit District's EmX bus rapid transit corridor. During construction, access will be provided to offices located in the Riverfront Research Park and businesses along Franklin Boulevard. Signs will direct pedestrians to safe routes to the riverbank bike/walking trails and the Auzten footbridge.

Janet Lobue is the project manager for the Health and Counseling Center. George Bleekman is the project manager for the Living Learning Center.