The first phase of the newest transportation alternative to hit Eugene is set to begin construction along campus at the end of spring term. And although the start date was pushed back a term, University and Lane Transit District officials said planning progress is steady, and a vehicle model should be determined by next month.
This summer, the LTD will start construction on the first phase of its Bus Rapid Transit, a system that will have a separate bus lane along the current median that runs down Franklin Boulevard to Main Street in Springfield. The project will cost about $20 million, a small part of which will go to the University after LTD purchases property near Riley Hall on 11th Avenue, at Robinson Theater on Franklin Boulevard and from Parking Lot 15 at Franklin Boulevard and Agate Street.
“Once completed, Phase 1 will serve either end of the campus,” LTD Assistant General manager Mark Pangborn said. “The University has been great to work with.”
University Planning associate Fred Tepfer said the largest chunk of property to be purchased for the route will be 15 feet of Lot 15, which will make room for the BRT bus pad on Franklin Boulevard. DPS Parking, Transportation and Auxiliary manager Rand Stamm said Lot 15 — located at 13th Avenue and Agate Street — primarily accommodates for permitted faculty, staff and visitor parking from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Stamm said the majority of spaces are reserved for campus visitors, who tend to park in Lot 15 first because it sits across from Oregon Hall, the starting point of regular campus tours.
“Outside of the weekly hours, the spaces are available to just about anyone who needs it,” he said. “Overnight parking is not permitted, however, so that we avoid excessive car storage.”
Construction will not commence at Lot 15 until after graduation in June, a date Stamm said was intended to ensure “the best time in the world” for the project. Despite some minor parking problems for Oregon Hall faculty and staff and other regular parkers, Stamm said the summer timing minimalizes the impact of the construction process.
An additional inconvenience will be posed to regular summer commuters who use Franklin Boulevard near Agate Street, which will be sludged with traffic at certain points of the construction process, Pangborn said.
Parking and traffic disruptions aside, Tepfer said the University will reconfigure the layout of Lot 15, considering the loss of space, and maintain the same number of spots for fall.
Although LTD planners have significantly discussed phase one of BRT with the University Planning Office, a vehicle model has not been chosen and a price tag for the University property has not been set. In terms of planning progress and project budgeting, Pangborn said one has very much to do with the other.
“We’re still assessing the cost benefits of each model,” he said. “We hope to have decided by next month.”
One vehicle model that has been considered for the BRT project is the Phileas, a sleek-looking model created by an international company in the Netherlands. LTD Director of Development Services Stefano Viggiano said the “green” model is of the latest transportation technology and is one of the reasons LTD is still in search of additional funding.
Although all three of the models are modern, efficient and environmentally friendly, Pangborn said they are also very expensive, which is why LTD has applied for additional federal funding to expand its options. Although none of the University property has been appraised, Pangborn assured that everything will follow a set procedure agreeing with federal funding guidelines.
From University Planning’s perspective, Tepfer said he is optimistic about the BRT project because LTD has made commendable progress in planning for the new system.
“In general, we think this is a great idea,” he said.
Phases 2 and 3 of the BRT route will run from Springfield through to the Gateway area and from Downtown Eugene through Coburg Road, eventually making a loop back around to the beginning of Phase 1. Phase 3 is set to be complete by fall 2004, Pangborn said.
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