Eugene Transit Station, located at 1080 Willamette Street, has been serving riders since its construction in 1998, offering access to 98 different routes. A modernization project that is currently in the works will upgrade and improve the central hub’s amenities, safety and usability for riders.
The remodel is a part of LTD’s Community Investment Plan, aiming to “ensure the economic vitality, equity, sustainability, and livability of our community.” The project’s $3.8 million investment is being funded 80% through grants and 20% through local match dollars according to LTD’s project website.
The project outlines improvements in the customer service center, station signage, restrooms, lighting and energy efficiency, air conditioning, pedestrian surfaces, building preservation, safety and security, public meeting rooms and employee facilities.
The Project Manager, Todd Smith, notes the importance of these improvements. “The infrastructure elements of the building are over 25 years old now,” he said. Construction on the station initially began in 1996 and was finished in 1998.
Dani Campos, a junior at the University of Oregon, enjoys using Eugene’s EmX. “I didn’t grow up with public transport and can say that I believe Eugene offers pretty good public transport,” she said. Still, Campos had a few thoughts about the Eugene Station itself. “I think the bus station is confusing, especially for people new to Eugene. A renovation would improve the overall efficiency, appeal and atmosphere of riding the bus,” she said.
Campos, thinking ahead, noted that, “the more people who want to ride would also make us more eco-friendly, which I know Eugene is constantly seeking to improve.”
There is a component of moving toward a more sustainable community built into the renovation plans. According to Smith. “We can do that [creating a sustainable community] through a lot of different means in the Eugene Station project by, you know, selecting more energy-efficient equipment, energy-efficient lighting and operation efficiency,” he said.
The Eugene Station Modernization project was initially set to begin construction on Nov. 20, according to the LTD website. However, the start date has been pushed back roughly one month. “We just have a few details we have to work through. There’s an element of it that we have to do that’s not visual yet,” Smith said. “Once we get, you know, some of the temporary spaces set up so that we can renovate, that’s when the more visual piece will happen…No hard hats yet, that’ll be within the next two weeks.”
When construction does start, the Customer Service Center will remain open for service. However, there will be some temporary adjustments, such as the closure of the automatic sliding doors on 11th Avenue. Additionally, the CSC counter will be moved to a different location inside and portable restrooms will be provided outside while the regular restrooms are closed.
Visit LTD’s website for more details on these closures.
