DEVELOPMENT & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER - SUMMER 2024 | |
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Welcome to the Summer edition of our Development and Public Works Newsletter! We're excited to share updates on our progress throughout the City. As we move towards the end of summer, several key projects are in construction and others have been completed, all aimed at improving our streets and creating safer, more efficient transportation routes.
From road reconstructions to bicycle route improvements, landscaping work to street surface maintenance these projects are designed to make getting around Springfield easier and more enjoyable for everyone.
In this issue, we’ve got a new path etiquette video, a survey about the future of wastewater needs, an update on climate-friendly areas, and news about traffic signal upgrades. We’ll keep you updated on all the current projects on our City website and through social media, we look forward to sharing more good news in the months ahead. Thank you for your continued support and patience as we work together to build a stronger, more resilient Springfield. Read on to see everything happening from Development and Public Works.
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Environmental Services Division | |
Future Wastewater Needs Survey | |
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Have you ever thought about how our regional wastewater plant and facilities came to be? If so, great! And if not, that’s ok too! We think about it on behalf of our ratepayers, have built on the successes, and plan for the future wastewater needs of our community.
The MWMC is currently developing a new 20-year Comprehensive Facilities Plan which is anticipated to be finalized in 2025. The last plan was created in 2004. The new plan will include an evaluation of the current conditions and identify needed upgrades and future facility construction to occur as our area’s population grows. Additionally, it will identify opportunities to expand or implement new programs that will help meet and serve the needs of community members while protecting the environment.
We are conducting a brief survey and would like your input. The survey is focused on community considerations and opportunities in developing our next 20-year Facilities Plan.
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Summer Operations Projects | |
The Operations Division has been busy this summer, focusing on cleaning and inspecting wastewater pipes, maintaining landscaping, and completing essential street repairs. | |
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Our landscaping crew has been mowing grass, cutting bushes, and trimming trees. Some of this work is a continuation of our response to the January ice storm, our crews have been systematically trimming and removing damaged trees and branches to ensure safety and restore the beauty of our neighborhoods. This cleanup has been a monumental task and they’re making great progress with more work still to be done.
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Always seeking to improve services, a creative approach is being taken with street maintenance this year. Several larger, more cost-efficient projects were done that will have a longer-lasting impact. In recent years a single pavement overlay project has been completed each summer along with crack sealing and slurry sealing. This summer, over 1,000 tons of hot asphalt mix have been used for street repairs—about three times the usual amount. | |
This included several patch jobs on Laura Street at West Q Street, and on Mohawk Boulevard at Marcola Road, (pictured above). The Marcola Rd. project repaired a section of street that had subsurface damage and required more thorough maintenance. This repair will last longer than traditional pothole filling but is only a temporary fix until a more comprehensive repair can be done at the intersection of Mohawk Blvd. and Marcola Rd. We'll keep you posted when more information becomes available. | |
Additional maintenance included pavement overlays on 48th Street between E Street going south towards the cul de sac, and a section of Aster Street between 58th and 59th streets. The large-scale thin lift overlay on Aster Street would typically be contracted out, but our maintenance crew, adept at handling more complex projects, managed the task with ease. The Operations subsurface crew will do the final work of replacing maintenance access holes in the coming weeks. Check out the video below to see the process of grinding, paving, and cutting for the final stage of the project. | |
Traffic Signal Radar Control | |
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The traffic signal control system at the intersection of Gateway Street and Beltline Road has been upgraded. Traffic technicians from the Operations Division installed radar traffic signal controls earlier this summer.
The new controls offer significant benefits for road safety and traffic efficiency. These systems detect the presence and speed of vehicles in real time, allowing for dynamic signal adjustments that can reduce congestion and improve traffic flow. By optimizing signal timing, radar controls help to minimize delays, reduce fuel consumption, and lower emissions. Additionally, they can enhance safety by better-managing traffic patterns.
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Speed Calming Pilot Project | |
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Four speed cushions have been installed on Centennial Blvd. between 21st and 28th streets as part of a pilot project. The City is collecting traffic data and seeking input through an online survey to help determine the next steps for speed-calming measures.
Speed cushions, similar to speed humps, were placed on Centennial Blvd. between 21st and 28th streets after the City was contacted by residents concerned about unsafe conditions caused by speeding vehicles. City staff reviewed the request and determined speed cushions were a good option for traffic calming enhancements to reduce the speeds of vehicles.
Speed cushions are like speed humps, however, speed cushions are installed with cut-outs to allow easier access by fire engines and other emergency vehicles. The speed cushions have been installed as a temporary pilot project to gauge reactions from the community and help guide future traffic calming efforts. The pilot project will provide objective data from community feedback to help direct discussion with the city council and guide a policy regarding neighborhood concerns of speeding vehicles. Click the button below to take the survey.
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42nd Street, Mill Street, and West D Street Updates | |
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The 42nd Street overlay project is moving along as work continues on the construction of new sidewalks ramps that meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. This temporary repair project will address the current street conditions by improving the travel surface of 42nd Street from the south entrance of International Paper to Marcola Rd.
A full reconstruction of the street is being considered in the future and will be determined once an analysis of the 42nd Street levee has been completed. For the latest information visit the 42nd Street Overlay project page by clicking the button below.
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Construction on the Mill Street Reconstruction Project is set to begin soon. Starting in early September, Mill Street will be restricted to one-way traffic between Main Street and Centennial Boulevard for much of the project.
Detours will be in place for people walking, rolling, biking, and driving. Northbound traffic will be redirected to the west side of Mill Street, while southbound traffic will follow a detour around the work zone via adjacent streets. Parking on Mill Street will be prohibited during construction, and pedestrian crossings will be limited, with clearly marked detours.
The project will begin with wastewater and stormwater work, which is planned to continue into early 2025. As the project progresses in 2025, traffic will shift to the east side for northbound vehicles. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. We will provide additional updates throughout the project. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to improve Mill Street.
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The West D Street bicycle improvement project has been successfully completed. The project includes the installation of six speed humps and a raised crosswalk, along with the creation of a new bicycle transition that connects the Northbank Path to West D Street.
This transition has been realigned to provide better access for cyclists, enhancing the overall flow and safety of the route. Additionally, new signage and striping have been added to improve navigation for both pedestrians and cyclists, making the route safer, more comfortable, and accessible for all users.
This project is a key component of the city's broader initiative to promote sustainable transportation and revitalize the area.
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These projects are just some of the work happening throughout the City. You can check out all our current and upcoming projects by visiting our current construction projects page by clicking the button below. | |
Springfield's Paths Are For Everyone | |
Mixed-use paths bring people together whether they're walking, biking, or rolling. With such a mix of activities, practicing good path etiquette is crucial to ensure everyone can travel safely and comfortably. Simple actions make a big difference so we've put together a short video with tips on how to navigate shared paths properly, helping everyone share the space with respect and care. | |
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The City of Springfield is currently working toward designating one or more Climate-Friendly Areas in compliance with the State’s Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities rules. Climate-Friendly Areas will allow for dense, urban mixed-use centers with plenty of jobs, homes, and services close to each other, so people have options to meet most of their needs without relying on a car.
Why are we doing this work?
Oregon is falling short of its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 so Governor Brown issued Executive Order 20-04 in 2020 which directed State agencies to take more actions to reduce emissions. To meet the Executive Order, the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development created the Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities rules.
Where are we in the process?
In Spring 2024, the project team sought early community feedback on the four potential Climate-Friendly Areas that are being considered – Downtown, Gateway/RiverBend, Glenwood Riverfront, and Mohawk. This feedback informed early discussions with the Springfield Planning Commission and City Council who expressed interest in continuing to explore all four areas.
What’s next?
The project team will continue outreach and research to inform City Council's selection of one or more Climate-Friendly Areas in 2025, with outcomes to include:
- Completed market assessment for each potential Climate-Friendly Area to understand the potential for housing and mixed-use development
- Possible strategies identified to prevent or minimize the need for residents to move elsewhere due to higher housing costs that may result if and when new private development occurs
- Draft updates to the Springfield Development Code and long-range plans to meet State requirements
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Stay Connected with Springfield | |
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From updates on affordable housing to news on traffic safety upgrades, and volunteer opportunities to help keep our waterways clean, we offer a variety of ways to stay connected with Springfield. Subscribe to any of these email lists using the button below.
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