Travelers along the North Bank Path from the Greenway Bike Bridge to Club Road will have to cross over the Willamette River to the South Bank Trail starting next Monday. Eugene Public Works will close the 1.5 mile stretch of path along the Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trail that has been deemed as unsafe traveling conditions. The cracked and heaved path surface caused by tree and root damage and aging will be re-paved, with a special effort made to avoid damaging tree roots and other natural areas along the path.
Other aspects of the project include reconstruction of the trail intersection at the Greenway Bike Bridge and a widening of portions of the trail to 12 feet.
“July 2 is the proposed deadline for finishing the project; however, there might be additional railing work that will extend the deadline,” said Project Manager Jenifer Willer.
Any persons who need to travel up or down this section of the river can cross at the Greenway Bike Bridge, portions of which will be kept open, and the southern detours will be the Peter DeFazio Bridge and Ferry Street Bridge.
The closure is necessary to protect path users from the construction equipment and to prevent damage to the new surface, according to the Eugene Public Works.
Eighty percent of the $785,000 project will be funded through the federal Surface Transportation Program, with the remainder of the funds coming from city transportation system development charges.
Updated construction information is available at www.keepusmoving.info and at www.eugene-or.gov/traffic.
– Jason Reed