After University of Oregon graduate student Erick Njue was killed on Jan. 25, in a fatal crash on Patterson and E. 22nd St., many groups in the community – such as Better Eugene Springfield Transportation (BEST) – and transportation advocates from the U of O, proposed a plan to address the problem. Residents said that it was too easy for cars to speed on this section of road. Rob Zako, executive director of BEST, said that the stretch “feels like a racetrack.”
“The design invites people to drive faster,” Zako said. “Not that it’s legal to do so, or not that they should do so, but humans respond to visual cues around them.”
In response to these outcries, the City of Eugene held a meeting on Aug. 12,, and the Lane Transit District began the pilot project to remove the west travel lane of Patterson, making space to add a bicycle lane and a bus lane/parking lane between 18th and 24th avenues. These blocks carry significant pedestrian and bicyclist traffic due to the proximity of the U of O campus, South Eugene High School, and the YMCA. This project will be used to determine whether or not removing a lane will improve driver behavior and create a safer environment. In addition, it will enable large service vehicles, like LTD buses and fire trucks, to more easily travel through the corridor. The City of Eugene website stated, “Volume data showed that traffic will still flow smoothly with one southbound vehicle lane along the four-block section. Construction of phase one includes removing existing striping and re-striping the new bike lane, bus lane/parking lane, and single travel lane.”
Phase One of the project is underway as of Monday, Sept. 14, according to city of Eugene officials. Phase Two will occur later this fall or winter and will install flexible bollards for physical protection and lane delineations. Community engagement is an important part of the pilot project, so the city officials will make feedback opportunities in Spring 2027 after the project has been in place for six months.
Article By Tim Polishchuk