Preserving the Historic Eugene Millrace

From ODOT- Building a bridge located between two communities and natural areas is quite a challenge. For the Willamette River Bridge project, an additional challenge is avoiding impacts to the historic Eugene millrace.

Some remnants of the Eugene millrace can be seen in the river east of the bridge. Portions of the channel are visible under the bridge and along the river on the south bank. Seeing any remains on the river bank is difficult due to vegetation.

Before building the new southbound bridge, we mapped the remnants of the old millrace and made plans to avoid damage and restore any areas affected by construction. We hired a historian to document the millrace; this information will be incorporated into an interpretative display on the south bank.

From the time the millrace was first constructed in 1851 by Hilyard Shaw, it supported economic development and recreation in Eugene. Water from the millrace provided power for lumber and flour mills, a produce cannery, sash and door factory, cider and vinegar plant, furniture factory, a distillery and other facilities. Recreational uses included boating and floating parades in the summer and ice skating when frozen in the winter. Some well-kown University of Oregon student activities took place on the millrace. The millrace was last used for manufacturing around 1928. Floods in the 1940's destroyed much of the original structure, diminishing any long-term use.

I've enjoyed learning more about the history and significance of the Eugene Millrace. We look forward to adding to the historical record through a display for those who visit. The next time you are on the south bank path, look toward the river, and you will likely see some of the milrace ruins.

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.

A lot more bridge to see

From ODOT-If you have not been by the Willamette River Bridge project recently, make the time to do so. Even during the rain, snow, cold and windy conditions this winter and spring, a lot of progress was made. The graceful arches crossing the river are the most noticeable feature of the new southbound Interstate 5 bridge. But be sure to notice the steel supports and falsework from the north bank of the river to the south, where the new bridge joins I-5. Construction workers can now walk from the north to the south end of the bridge, above ground. Crews are forming and pouring the final support beams for the bridge deck. In preparation for paving the bridge deck, forms are built on top of the beams, and rebar is installed and tied. Already, portions of the deck have been poured on the north side of the river as well as sections on the south side joining I-5. Over the next couple of months, crews will pourt the rest of the concrete to complete the deck on the south side of the river. The deck over the river, supported by the arches, is the largest pour and cannot take place until all the north and south portions of the deck are complete. With the arrival of spring and better weather, take time to look more closely at the new bridge from one of the pedestrian paths near the project. There's a lot more bridge to see! The southbound bridge is on schedule to open to traffic in early fall.