Multi-use path viaduct takes shape

From ODOT

There has been a lot of work happening on the multi-use path viaduct east of the Whilamut Passage Bridge since my last update.

 

Here’s a closer look at what we’ve been doing to build the multi-use path viaduct this winter.  



Crews placed large concrete box beams for the new path viaduct between the Willamette River and Franklin Boulevard to the right. The beams are salvaged from the temporary Interstate 5 bridge built in 2004. Each beam is about 100 feet long.

 



Next, workers added a temporary wooden safety railing to protect crews during construction. They will install a permanent railing later next year.

 



To stabilize the transition from the edge of the river's south bank to the viaduct, our team built a 67-foot long concrete block retaining wall at the east end of the path.


 

Here's a view of the path viaduct from the Willamette River looking south toward Franklin Boulevard. By fall of 2014 the new path connecting Springfield to Alton Baker Park will be paved and ready for pedestrians, runners and cyclists. 



South Bank Path: Planning for the Future

From ODOT-  The south bank viaduct path is an investment in the community's infrastructure.  City officials and ODOT recognize that it's a vital part of the bicycle and pedestrian network.  Together, we are working hard to improve it.



Some of you have requested more information about the long-term plans for the south bank viaduct path.  I'm happy to describe these and to clarify what is included as part of the Willamette River Bridge project and what will occur independent of it.



Adjusting the south bank path route



The new, permanent viaduct path will follow a different route than it does today.  It will begin east of the Knickerbocker Bridge and run along the north side of Franklin Boulevard, rather than the south side.



ODOT built a temporary detour for the path to accommodate construction of the new Whilamut Passage Bridge, allow space for stream restoration between the path and the river, and divert path users from ongoing construction hazards.  This detour is necessary for project safety.



Extending the path



ODOT is also extending the path to just west of the Oldham Crane Service property as part of the Willamette River Bridge project.  We are coordinating with the cities of Eugene and Springfield to establish appropriate connections to the new viaduct path, but those will be a separate project.  The city of Springfield plans to extend the new path east, allowing users to cross Franklin Boulevard at the intersection with Glenwood Boulevard.  Traffic signals there will make crossing the busy lanes safer for all.



OBEC Consulting Engineers, the design team leading the Willamette River Bridge project, is also working with the City of Springfield on the path extension.  They are currently in the design phase and expect the extension to open with the rest of the viaduct path in 2014.  The existing south bank connector path will remain open until this connection is finished.

The first shaft for the viaduct path is under construction.

From ODOT-  By early 2014, improvements to the park paths near the new Willamette River Bridges will be complete.  The most significant change, a new viaduct path on the south bank of the Willamette River, will replace the current path that connects to the south side of Franklin Boulevard, east of the bridges.



Bridge beams reused from the Interstate 5 detour bridge will provide a structure for the realigned path.  The beams will be supported by 14 individual bridge columns spaced along the riverbank.  Rebar and concrete will fill drilled shafts to a depth of at least 10 feet into the bedrock.



We've recently taken the first step in constructing the viaduct, by drilling a shaft beneath the new northbound bridge.  This had to occur now, because the drilling equipment is too tall to fit under the new northbound bridge once it is built.  This may be the only work we do on the viaduct path until this fall.

As you can see, the drill is taller than the new southbound bridge and would not have fit under the soon-to-be-built northbound freeway bridge.

Here, workers line up equipment to place the steel retainer ring, which will prevent dirt and rock from falling back into the drilled shaft.

New paths will feature safety improvements.

From ODOT-

ODOT is working closely with the cities of Eugene and Springfield to enhance and improve safety on pedestrian paths along the banks of the Willamette River near the new Interstate 5 bridges. Some changes are already in place but most will be finished in late 2013 or early 2014.



Crews have repaved and striped the Canoe Canal Path and the paved paths on the north and south banks of the river under the bridges. They are also minimizing dangerous corners and intersections and eliminating a large drop in the path on the north end of the Knickerbocker Bridge. Path users will see new landscaping, including native species of trees, shrubs, flowers and prairie grass. A new path on the south bank of the river will link existing routes and provide great views of the river. It will start east of the Knickerbocker Bridge, follow the riverbank under the I-5 bridges and connect to Franklin Boulevard. The city of Springfield plans to extend this new path to the intersection of Glenwood Boulevard and Franklin Boulevard.



We enjoy working with local partners to make these path improvements for the benefit of users for years to come.

Bike barriers installed to enhance walk along the river

From ODOT

Before construction started on the Willamette River Bridge, the local Citizen Planning Committee for the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park was working with the Willamalane Park and Recreation District to address pedestrian safety issues on the Riverside Trail. On the north side of the Willamette River, the trail starts near the Aspen Street boat ramp and connects to the Walnut Road Path just before it passes under Interstate 5.

The Riverside Trail is ideal for a leisurely walk, but it is not suitable for biking due to its narrow, winding, bumpy terrain. Park planners hoped that by diverting bike traffic to more direct routes, the riverside path would become a pedestrian-only trail. Unfortunately, bike traffic continued to use the path, even after it was realigned and signage was posted.

To resolve the safety issues, the Oregon Department of Transportation agreed to design and install a pair of off-set bike gates that prohibit bike traffic but allow access to people with physical disabilities. These gates, called chicanes, were installed in January 2012.

This is just one way ODOT works with the Willamalane Park and Recreation District to enhance the park and mitigate the impacts of replacing the Willamette River Bridge.

New bike diversion gates have been installed at the western end of Riverside Trail in Eastgate Woodlands part of the Whilamut Natural Area.

Signs installed beside the bike diversion gates reinforce the prohibition of bicyclists from using this trail.

South Bank of River to Include Interpretive Displays

From ODOT- We work closely with our contractors to minimize the impact of construction on local historical features and to leave behind not only wonderful new bridges, but historical information about the area in which the bridges are located. The displays will be installed in late 2013 or early 2014.

When the new bridges are completed, visitors to the south bank will see unique interpretive displays about Native American culture and the old Eugene Millrace.

The first interpretative display reminds us that the Willamette Valley and surrounding foothills have a rich Native Anerican heritage that has been mostly forgotten until recently.

To provide more opportunities to understand the contribution of Native Americans, ODOT, in partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, will install the display on the river's south bank with information about the history and contributions of the first people to live and prosper in the valley.

The second interpretive display comes from a federal requirement to protect and enhance Eugene's historic Millrace ruins as part of the bridge replacement project.

At one time, the Eugene Millrace diverted water from the river at an intake east of what is now the Willamette River Bridge to generate power to run many Eugene industries. While building the new bridge, we have preserved and exposed more of the original millrace. In addition, we worked with a historian to document the history of the millrace for future generations. Some of that history and information will be part of a permanent display for the public to enjoy when visiting the south bank.

Work Continues on Park Design Enhancements

From ODOT- Located above a pristine natural area with major pedestrian paths connecting Eugene and Springfield, the Willamette River Bridge project is located in a unique setting.

We have hired teams of artists to design enhancements that will improve areas near the pedestrian paths on the north and south banks of the river. The teams will finalize their designs this year. This is the latest step in years of planning to make sure the final bridge project fits in with its unique surroundings.

The most extensive enhancements will be in the Whilamut Natural Area. They will be located along the park paths under Interstate 5 at Canoe Canal, on the north bank of the river and throughout the area just west of the bridges. Working with local stakeholders to better understand long-term maintenance issues, the artist team for this area will refine their initial concepts for approval.

On the south bank, ODOT and the Design Enhancement Steering Committee members have decided to take another look at how best to use the limited space. The original design concepts were based on plans that have since changed, particularly those related to the realignment of the path on the south bank. In addition, we now know more about the required interpretative displays detailing the historic Eugene Millrace and the history of the Kalapuya Tribe’s use of the area. Integrating those displays with other enhancements makes sense and will result in a better experience for path users. The DESC will clarify the impact of the changes and make recommendations on how to proceed.

One thing is certain; the design enhancements will make using these paths even more enjoyable.

http://www.willamettebridge.org

Whilamut Passage design enhancements will grace the Willamette River bridges

From ODOT-

As part of the Willamette River Bridge project, ODOT is working with Pacific Northwest artists to create enhancements near pedestrian paths on the north and south banks of the Willamette River and along Interstate 5 near the bridges.

The enhancements will follow the Whilamut Passage theme, to reflect an intersection in time, a confluence and a crossing. The Whilamut Passage theme will incorporate words, phrases and images that encompass the variety of users—past, present and future—as well as the area’s geography.

Fourteen artists proposed and a volunteer selection committee selected five finalists whose proposals reflect the Whilamut Passage theme. The artists are all based in the Pacific Northwest: Adam McIsaac and Travis Mercier, rhiza Architecture + Design, Lillian Pitt, Devin Laurence Field, and Eutectica Design.

Examples of public art and enhancements by these teams can be found in Bend, Corvallis, Eugene, Springfield, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Portland and across the border in Washington. Some of the materials used by these artists in other communities include wood, concrete, stainless steel, and bronze.

The Community Advisory Group will make a recommendation to ODOT’s design team on a finalist from the proposed designs in late April. Once selected, the artist will complete the design and engineering for bidding and installation.

According to the current design enhancement schedule, you will start to see the enhancements in the fall of 2013 or spring 2014, after both bridges have been completed.

Look for information in the near future about a public open house in Eugene the first week of April when all five finalists will present their proposed designs.

Bridge design and enhancements

From ODOT-

Meeting since 2008, members of the Citizen Advisory Group and Project Development Team have provided invaluable input regarding bridge design and enhancements in the open space surrounding the bridge. Recently they approved a request for proposals for art to be installed above the deck -- that is, next to Interstate 5 just north or south of the bridge. They also agreed to the next steps for development of art pieces on the south and north banks of the Willamette River.

Pictured below are two of the enhancements currently being developed. Additional information can be obtained by going to our website at http://www.willamettebridge.org/ as well as participating in opportunities early next year to view refinements to these and other concepts. We will keep you informed as meetings are scheduled.

The columns have been recommended based on having some remains of the old structures in place reminding current and future citizens of previous bridges that were here along with something to compare the new columns to.

The dovetail designs for the path represents the passing from one city to the next while at the same time showing the two communities are linked by the connection of the paths under the bridges.

We are excited to watch these designs progress and look forward to the public conversations that will contribute to them.