New path connector opens

From ODOT-

Surrounding parks, protected open space and pedestrian paths make construction of the new Willamette River Bridges somewhat unique. They provide us with much more complexity than a simple bridge would, and they give us the opportunity to leave the area better than it was before. As the bridge project moves forward with construction of the northbound bridge, ODOT contractors are improving nearby paths and open spaces.





The new connector path between North Walnut Road and the North Bank Path eliminates a congested and confusing intersection located near the Knickerbocker Bridge.

Sharp turns and confusing connections marked the previous intersection at the North Bank Path, North Walnut Road and the Knickerbocker Bridge.

The new connector, located west of the old intersection, has two well-separated connection points to North Walnut Road. Contractors used concrete rather than asphalt because it is easier to maintain and lasts longer.



path users will find the new connection easier and safer going either east or west. In addition, the new connection is far enough from any other intersection to minimize congestion or confusion.

The route of the old North Bank Path shown in this picture, adjacent to the new path, will be returned to a natural state when crews place native plants int he area.



As an added bonus, concrete in the newly formed path includes recycled material from the Interstate 5 detour bridge. After crews crunched and cleaned the rubble it was ready to be reused, saving money on buying new aggregate to form the bed for the path.

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

North Bank Path to close Monday, re-open July 3

From ODOT-

On Monday, ODOT crews will close the North Bank Path in Alton Baker Park west of the Knickerbocker Bridge. As part of the Interstate 5 Willamette River Bridge project the team will begin building a new path connecting North Walnut Road and the North Bank Path. Signs will direct path users to North Walnut Road until the path re-opens on July 3. Runners on Pre's Trail will also use North Walnut Road as a connector to head either east or west.



Path users should expect occasional delays and detour changes during construction. We will notify you of these impacts.



Please obey signs and flaggers directing path traffic in the work zone. They are there for your safety.

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.

Community photos

From ODOT-

On Feb. 3 we asked you to send us your photos of the bridge and surrounding environs so we could see the project from your vantage point.



Below are some of the photos we have received to date.



We’d like to thank Douglas Beauchamp, arts consultant for the Willamette River Bridge project, who sent us these photos from early 2009, before construction work began on the new bridges.



The first photo shows one of 11 Talking Stones featuring Kalapuya words translated into English. These stones are found throughout the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park. I can’t wait to see the same vantage point with the new bridges in the background.

KANAA- Talking Stone: Going Across Place, February 2009. Photo: Douglas Beauchamp

In the photo below, runners enjoy the North Bank Path with the original and temporary I-5 bridges overhead. Both of those bridges have since been removed.

Making tracks- North Bank Path, February 2009. Photo: Douglas Beauchamp

We’d also like to thank Tom Boyatt, transportation manager for the city of Springfield, for sending the photo below. It shows attendees of the August 18 southbound bridge opening ceremony in the shadow of the new bridge.

Southbound bridge opening event, August 2011. Photo: Tom Boyatt

We love seeing photos like these, so please send us your favorites as the project continues. Please send photos to Jyll.E.Smith@odot.state.or.us, in a JPG format and no larger than 1MB.