Sidewalks & On-Street Parking in Downtown Blue River
Since the April 30, 2024, Board of County Commissioners’ approval of the Blue River Design Concept, staff has been working to secure funding to implement the project. 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.
To further improve community connectivity and the ability to secure state and federal transportation funding for implementation, a new transportation planning effort is underway:
Blue River Bridge – Bike/Ped/Emergency Access Study
Background: The Blue River Drive Design Concept did not propose any changes to the existing bridge crossing Blue River.
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.
New Effort Underway
Lane County will be working once again with the community to determine the feasibility of constructing a separated bike/ped bridge that would support emergency vehicles and withstand an earthquake.
The study will explore two alignment options and develop design concepts. The goal will be to develop a community-preferred design concept that completes the gap in bike/ped connectivity from the school to the downtown and improves the overall success of the Blue River Drive Design Concept being awarded state/federal grant funding.
Key Features of the Design
- West of downtown – a multi-use path for walking and biking separated from the road with a vegetated swale
- Downtown – sidewalks on both sides of the street, parallel parking on both sides of the street for two blocks, customized parking pocket in the northernmost block, and enhanced crosswalks
Get Involved
Community input opportunities are planned for Spring 2025.
Email updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Data gathering is currently underway. Final approval of the design concept by the Board of County Commissioners is planned for summer 2025.
Please reach out to Becky Taylor with thoughts, questions, and concerns.
Becky Taylor
Senior Transportation Planner
Lane County Public Works
541-682-6932
Source: McKenzie Rebuilds