West Eugene Parkway Oregon Route 126

the west eugene parkway, or wep, proposed re-alignment of oregon 126 through western parts of eugene , suburbs. route 126 runs through west eugene along several surface streets, including west 11th avenue, known traffic problems. proposed route, limited-access expressway at-grade intersections , 1 interchange, have run north of current west 11th alignment, terminating @ western terminus of sixth-seventh avenue couplet carrying oregon 99 through west eugene. project proved highly controversial. in july 2006, odot suspended work on it, , recommended no-build alternative federal highway administration.

transportation planners argued new route necessary fight traffic congestion in eugene , western suburbs, , highway facilitate traffic , growth in year 2025.

opponents parkway have several reasons objection:

the route not needed; further road construction symptom of urban sprawl , better land use planning solution
the route encourage further development , urban sprawl in west eugene
world petroleum supplies in decline long before road completed, , therefore modest fixes existing roads sufficient
the proposed route disrupt environmentally-sensitive areas, including wetlands near proposed alignment
the parkway resurrection of old roosevelt freeway proposal (canceled in 1972), , calling proposed project parkway deceptive
the proposed route dump more traffic in eugene s downtown core. project fails federally mandated independent utility test, , illegal, because public transportation projects must self-standing, according federal law. alleged construction of parkway raise traffic on sixth , seventh avenues unacceptable levels, requiring construction of new highway through downtown. if such design element included in current plan, such inclusion lead cancellation.
funds spent on project (officially $169 million) better spent on other improvements area transportation network.
over past 20 years eugene city planning required businesses build along west 11th corridor place parking lots behind buildings, resulting in many buildings erected close existing street. construction of proposed parkway require widening of current road, forcing many of these businesses close or relocate. consequently, project opposed many business owners along route.

on june 18 , 19, 2001, city of eugene, lane county, oregon department of transportation (odot), federal highway administration (fhwa) , bureau of land management (blm), among others, held two-day west eugene charrette discuss future of project. participants supporters of highway, @ end of conference agreed select no build option. consensus not implemented, although odot , fhwa continued spend millions, time, on environmental impact statement.

supporters, , government agencies involved in planning of project, pointed fact parkway proposal has been approved city voters in 2 referendum elections, in 2001. opponents note election 51 49, , proponents claimed money there when selling project. official price tag wep $88 million in 2001, 2004 estimate local , state governments predicts cost $169 million. few wep proponents support tax increases pay highway.

on october 26, 2005, eugene city council voted 5-4 withdraw city s support project, although city of eugene has continued agreement odot assume responsibility maintaining part of road. city owns property parkway has not yet been transferred blm nature preserve conservation , restoration.

in july 2006, odot withdrew support of project, stopping further progress.