Work will start soon on safety improvements to the Row River Trail in Cottage Grove. The project started in 2011 after South Lane County School Board Member Michelle Portman was fatally hit by a truck while biking the path.
Portman was the 2nd bicyclist killed where the trail crosses Row River Road. Lydia McKinney is Lane County Transportation Manager. She says finding grant funding was essential since the county's road fund is lacking.
McKinney: "We were very fortunate to receive a grant from the Federal Lands Access Program."
The 1 million dollar project will improve safety at 2 of the trail's hazardous intersections.
McKinney: "The first being the one, 4.0, where we've had those 2 bicycle fatalities. And the construction project will be for an undercrossing, so the trail will go underneath Row River Road at that milepost."
At milepost 5.4, the trail is being re-aligned so it crosses the road at a perpendicular angle. There will also be lighting and signage improvements along the trail. The project is expected to be completed by this fall.