Improving the Surrounding Area

From ODOT- At ODOT, our commitment is to deliver the best long-term value for the dollars the public invests in highways and bridges. At the same time, we are committed to protect and improve the natural environments that surround our projects.

This is especially true for the Willamette River Bridge project, which is surrounded by the Whilamut Natural Area, adjacent to the historic Eugene Millrace and of significance to the local history of the Kalapuya tribe.

This unique location provides us an opportunity to improve the area we are working in.

We will restore native grasslands and increase the number of native species trees. ODOT will water and maintain the landscape improvements for five years to help them survive. We will also restore and improve the flow of a creek on the river's south bank so fish can swim up and spawn in the creek.

We're striving to avoid any damage to the ruins of the historic Eugene Millrace as we construct the new bridges. We've even removed overgrown plants to make more of the ruins visible. Information about the significance of the millrace will be displayed near the ruins when the project is complete.

The completion of the Willamette River Bridge project will mean not only years of safe travel over the river for motorists, but also an enhanced natural environment and historical legacy surrounding the bridge for the local community to enjoy.