Challenge
The Eugene Water & Electric Board planned to redevelop portions of its former 27-acre utility plant headquarters along the Willamette River, extending downtown Eugene to the riverfront. The site offered significant opportunities for private riverfront development but presented transportation challenges. A designated high-speed rail line ran at grade through the campus, and overall connectivity to the surrounding street network was limited. City staff and developers sought a long-term plan that would guide multimodal transportation improvements while supporting redevelopment and complying with state transportation requirements.
Solution
Our team collaborated with the project team and City staff to create the master plan visioning and a detailed traffic impact analysis. We developed a long-term transportation package to support site development for a multimodal transportation network that includes festival streets and other unique applications integrating land use and transportation. The traffic study evaluated whether key intersections and roadways meet applicable operating criteria through recommended mitigation measures. The analysis also provided technical support for rezoning the property.
The Outcome
Multimodal Planning Supports Riverfront Redevelopment in Eugene, OR
With the master plan approved in 2013 and a form-based zoning code established, the site is positioned for redevelopment consistent with the community’s goals. The transportation recommendations provide a framework for safe, efficient multimodal access, demonstrating how careful planning and analysis can support urban growth while respecting site constraints.
