Knickerbocker footbridge reopens to improved, safer park path connections

From ODOT-

Path users who cross the Knickerbocker Bridge will notice differences on the bridge, as well as on the path connecting the bridge to the north bank.



The Eugene Water and Electric Board closed the bridge to repair the water pipe suspended under the bridge. While the bridge was closed, contractor Hamilton Construction provided access by cutting holes in the bridge deck. The holes are now covered with concrete lids that EWEB crews can lift when they need to service the water pipe, shortening the length of future bridge closures.

A new concrete lid on the north end of the Knickerbocker Bridge allows EWEB to more easily reach the water pipe below.

Our crews took advantage of the bride closure to complete a new path connecting the Knickerbocker Bridge with North Walnut Road. This connection had been very steep, with sharp turns. The new path is much safer because it is wider, has a gentler slope and connects to North Walnut Road with a T-intersection farther from other path connections.

The new connection with North Walnut Road allows path users to easily go east or west.

You will see more path improvements in the Whilamut Natural Area, as the new Interstate 5 Willamette River bridges are completed.

EWEB will close Knickerbocker Bicycle Bridge July 9

From ODOT-

Today we have a guest blogger, my former colleague Joe Harwood who is now with the Eugene Water & Electric Board. EWEB will be closing the Knickerbocker Bicycle Bridge on July 9 and I asked Joe to tell us a bit about the work that will be done.



From Joe Harwood, external communications coordinator for EWEB:

The Eugene Water & Electric Board will close the Knickerbocker Bicycle Bridge on July 9 to insert access panels into the deck and make repairs to a 45-inch diameter water distribution pipe attached to the underside of the bridge structure. The utility expects the bridge closure last until July 20.



During the closure, bicycle and pedestrian traffic will be detoured to the Dave and Lynn Frohnmayer Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge (formerly known as the Autzen Footbridge) downstream and west of the Knickerbocker. A new connector path between North Walnut Road and the North Bank Path will be open for use during the detour.



The Oregon Department of Transportation, which is in the midst of replacing the Interstate 5 Willamette River bridges, will take advantage of the 11-day closure to improve the north end Knickerbocker connection to Walnut Road. ODOT originally planned to close the bike bridge in 2014 to complete the upgrades. However, ODOT and EWEB decided to partner and accomplish their projects at the same time in order to avoid closing the bridge in 2014.



The EWEB project entails cutting 5-foot by 7-foot rectangular access panels into the north and south ends of the bridge deck so the utility can make repairs to the water pipe couplings and conduct future inspections.



ODOT plans to re-grade and improve the area between the bridge and North Walnut Road. That work will include removing the awkward asphalt curves at the north end of the bridge and replacing that portion of the path with a “T” intersection at North Walnut Road. The work will also include re-grading the North Bank approach ramp so it is less steep.



Springfield-based Hamilton Construction, the general contractor for the I-5 bridge project, was the low-bidder on the EWEB work, and won the contract.



Temporary signs will direct cyclists and pedestrians to the detour routes, and flaggers will be on hand to control access.

If you have any questions about the Knickerbocker Bridge closure, please contact Joe at (541) 685-7471 or Joe.Harwood@EWEB.org