The economic recovery legislation that is on the path to being approved  has been released and is being reviewed by federal, state, and local representatives and the analysis will continue but today ODOT released their official list of projects they will submit for the federal stimulus money.  BikePortland.org has a report on it and they list four projects worth $3.8 million (out of the $179 million requested) going to “bicycle and pedestrian” projects, which is just 2.5% of the total amount to be utilized.

None of these bike/ped projects are in Lane County, in fact NONE of the projects are (see BikePortland’s list).  The Eugene area submitted ‘active transportation’ projects that are ready to be built right now (shovel ready as they say) yet none seemed to make the ODOT list.  It seems that putting the money through ODOT will just continue their tradition of building for motorized vehicles almost exclusively.  The BikePortland.org article puts it into context:

For perspective to the $3.8 million total being spent on “bicycle/pedestrian” projects, $8 million is being requested to build 2 miles of passing lane on Highway 97 in Klamath County to “address safety and add capacity”.

Obviously investing in bicycle and pedestrian transportation gets you A LOT more bang for your buck.  Here is a sample of the projects that were submitted for the Eugene Area and then a list of the specific bike/ped program that did make the ODOT list.  This first list does not include some of the Safe Routes to School projects that we are also in the middle of working on:

Westmoreland Path Project

This project will provide 2,500 feet of multi-use path from Fillmore Street to Taylor Street in Westmoreland Park as well as pedestrian scale lighting for 1,000 feet of existing multi-use path. Paths will be 12 feet wide with 2 foot shoulders on a crushed rock base. Concrete pads and bike parking will be added. Safety and wayfinding signs will be installed. This project has been planned since 1974, and is listed as a priority in the TransPlan document. The popular, existing path in the park ends in the parking lot of the K-8 Arts and Technology Academy School, and pedestrians and bicyclists must travel through the congested parking lot. The new path will reduce this direction of travel. The new path will also serve existing disc golf course, tennis courts and sports fields. By providing these new path connections to surrounding residential neighborhoods, this project will enhance people’s access to the 7-mile long Fern Ridge Path. (Project by the City of Eugene, Eugene, OR). Total length of the project is 0.41 miles. Total cost of the project is $993,000.

Bike Path/West Bank Trail-Treatment Plant to Formac Ave.

Construct a portion of the West Bank Trail from River Ave. to the existing trail segment at Formac Avenue. Not Started In 2006-11 CIP Specific Plans/Polices Related to this Project TransPlan  Cost: $1,350,000

Commerce Connector Multiuse Path

This project will provide a 10 foot concrete multi-use connector path with 2 foot shoulders from the Fern Ridge Path to a large developed commercial area near Commerce Street and W. 11thAvenue. Two bicycle and pedestrian bridges will be constructed to span the Amazon Channel and wetland areas. This project will provide pedestrian and bicycle access from a nearby well used multi-use path along the Amazon Channel that connects West Eugene with downtown Eugene. Workers and shoppers will find a convenient, scenic and safe off-street travel route while avoiding nearby roads with high average daily traffic. (Project by the City of Eugene, Eugene, OR). $840,000.

Spring Boulevard Path

This project will provide a connector multi-use path from 29th Avenue to 30th Avenue, which will connect two residential neighborhoods with a major roadway leading to the local community college. Project will construct a 1,500 foot long, 12 foot wide concrete path to current standards, including lighting. Public Works has been receiving requests for the completion of this project from neighbors, students and hikers who use the existing well-worn trail through the woods. There is a need for a legitimate connection along the boulevard. (Project by the City of Eugene, Eugene, OR). Total cost of the project is $850,000.

Jessen Path

This project will provide a multi-use path from Green Hill Road to Beltline Road as part of the TransPlan document. The path will go along the A-2 channel at Golden Garden’s park, which is currently seeing improvements and expansion in Eugene’s Bethel neighborhood. The multi-use path will connect to an existing path at the Beltline, creating a key off-street bicycle linkage in the area. (Project by the City of Eugene, Eugene, OR). Total length of the project is 1.81 miles. Total cost estimate $2.1 million.

Delta Ponds Overpass, Goodpasture to Robin Hood Lane

This project will provide a multi-use path and a grade separated crossing (overpass structure) over Delta Highway between Goodpasture Island and Robin Hood Lane for pedestrian/bicycles. Secured federal funding of $2,880,000 will be administered by ODOT and will not be received by the City of Eugene.

This project meets priority measure 4 of TRANSPLAN Financial Policy #6. This project fills in a missing segment of the City’s planned river bank trail system, and is included in the Six-Year CIP because it includes funding sources – transportation SDC’s and federal transportation funds – that are not available for projects that meet the first priority measure of “Protect the existing system”. Not Started New in FY08-13 CIP. Funding gap of $2.2 million.

Beaver-Hunsaker Trail Project

Lane County Transportation System Plan has identified Hunsaker Ln-Beaver St project as an urban improvement project. The project limit starts at Division Ave and ends at River Road. The preliminary scope of the project is to provide 2 travel lanes, curbs, gutters, concrete sidewalks, and bike lanes. Planter strips and drainage improvements will be considered. The project will also look into turning lane needs at River Road and Division St. The estimated project cost for the 1.141 mile long project is $3.3 million [cost updated].

Middle Fork Willamette River Path

Dorris Ranch Living History Farm to Clearwater Park, in Springfield.  This will also include a bike/ped bridge to HBRA. Project Cost: $4.5 million [estimate]

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ODOT’s List:

I-205 Bicycle Path Improvements & Illumination (Multnomah County)
Improves and illuminates bicycle path north of Clackamas Town Center to Woodstock/92nd.
Project cost: $2,000,000 – Stimulus portion: $2,000,000.

I-205 Pedestrian Path at Woodstock/Flavel (Multnomah County)
Improves pedestrian and bicycle safety at I-205 crossing Bicycle/pedestrian Multnomah.
Project cost: $500,000 – Stimulus portion: $500,000.

Roseburg – Winston Multi-Use Path (Douglas County)
Extends existing project to build multi-use path between Roseburg and Winston.
Project cost: $2,000,000 – Stimulus portion: $500,000

US 197: Burnham Ave. – 3rd Street (Maupin) (Wasco County)
Builds new curbs, sidewalks, pedestrian features and streetscaping in Maupin; includes a new storm drainage system and reconstruction of the roadway.
Project cost: $3,700,000 – Stimulus portion: $800,000