Charnelton Street to Become Two-Way Flow Between West 6th and 8th Avenues
CONTACTS
Lane Transit District
Lisa VanWinkle, 541-682-6212 or 541-335-9351
City of Eugene
Eric Jones, 541-682-5523 or 541-954-2938
Several significant changes will be made to traffic patterns along Charnelton Street in downtown Eugene, expected to begin on Thursday, November 5. The timing will depend on favorable weather that allows road striping. Once striped, Charnelton Street will become a two-way street between West 6th and West 8th Avenues. Currently, Charnelton is one-way southbound between West 6th and 8th and two-way between 8th and 11th Avenues.
To accommodate the new traffic patterns, a new all-way traffic signal will be activated at Charnelton and 8th Avenue, replacing the two-way stop signs at that intersection. At Charnelton and 7th Avenue, a new signal will control the movement of northbound traffic on Charnelton. At Charnelton and 6th Avenue, a new signal will control left turns from northbound Charnelton to westbound 6th Avenue.
Drivers are advised to watch for and obey the new traffic control signals and signs and drive cautiously, especially until motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians become familiar with the new traffic patterns.
The expansion of two-way flow on Charnelton has been a long-term goal of the City of Eugene to further spur economic development and reinvestment in the downtown core. Lane Transit District (LTD) partnered with the City of Eugene to modify the West Eugene EmX design, then build and pay for the enhancements with EmX project funding.
“This outcome is a great win for our community,” said Nan Laurence, senior planner for the City of Eugene. “It makes downtown Eugene more accessible and easier to navigate for all the people who work, shop, and enjoy leisure activities in our downtown core.”
Charnelton Street was in poor condition before LTD rebuilt the roadway with new concrete to last for decades. The partnership also preserves existing on-street parking and improves vehicle flow, including making it easier for drivers to access the Broadway North and South parking garages. Plus, the expansion of fast and frequent EmX service will help more people travel to and from downtown Eugene and other parts of the community.
Charles Hollands, chair of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, supports the changes on Charnelton Street, saying, “A better street that saves parking is very important to downtown merchants and residents. It will be even better when EmX offers another way for people to come downtown from west Eugene.”
“We greatly appreciate the patience of downtown merchants and residents during the months of construction,” said Ron Kilcoyne, LTD general manager. “Rebuilding the entire street while trying to support traffic flow, on-street parking, and keep at least one Broadway parking garage open at all times was a challenge.”
The West Eugene EmX project is wrapping up most of the road and sidewalk construction on West 6th and 7th Avenues before crews resume next year to finish 6th Avenue, then shift to Garfield Street and West 11th Avenue. The public may sign up to receive project news, construction updates, and traffic advisories by visiting weemx.ltd.org or emailing weemx@ltd.org. For more information, call LTD at 541-687-5555 (7-1-1 TTY Oregon Relay).
The public can learn more about the City of Eugene downtown development efforts online at Downtown Projects or email EugeneDowntown@ci.eugene.or.us.