Blue River Bridge Bike, Pedestrian & Emergency Access Study

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES to learn more about and comment on the project are listed below.

PROJECT PURPOSE / BACKGROUND

On April 30, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners approved the Blue River Design Concept, following a year-long community involvement process. The project would create a paved multi-use path adjacent to Blue River Drive from the school to Blue River Bridge and provide sidewalks and on-street parking on Blue River Drive in the downtown. The project did not specifically address Blue River Bridge.

Community feedback indicated a strong desire to protect the existing bridge in its current, historical condition. It has sidewalks but is very narrow and is not seismically sound. The project only recommended providing additional warning signage.

Since then, staff has been working to secure funding to implement the project. Staff has been pursing multiple grant programs, including Oregon Community Paths, Reconnecting Communities Pilot, Rural and Tribal Assistance Program, Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program, and Federal Lands Access Program. Addressing the deficiencies of the existing bridge would make for stronger grant proposals, could open more funding options, and would ultimately improve community connectivity.

The Blue River Bike/Pedestrian/Emergency Access Study will explore the feasibility of constructing a separated bike/pedestrian bridge that would support emergency vehicles and withstand an earthquake. The study will develop two alignment options and develop two design concepts. The goal is to develop a community-preferred design concept that completes the gap in bike/pedestrian connectivity from the school to downtown and improves the overall success of the Blue River Drive Design Concept being awarded state/federal grant funding.

Opportunities to get involved

Get on the email list to be notified when more information becomes available by contacting Lane County Senior Transportation Planner Becky Taylor at Becky.Taylor@LaneCountyOR.gov.

Project Overview

Open House

  • Wednesday, May 14, 2025

  • 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

  • McKenzie School – more information to be announced two weeks prior