Lane Transit District has begun overnight pre-construction activities on its EmX extension into west Eugene.
LTD’S Lisa VanWinkle, EmX project spokeswoman, says the work is being conducted on West 6th and 7th avenues and on downtown Garfield and Charnelton streets. It includes a month-long tree canopy survey, VanWinkle says:
VanWinkle: “There are quite a number of trees next to the EmX project footprint. It is our hope that we can preserve most of those trees.”
VanWinkle says this will involve learning:
“…where their tree roots are growing, and hopefully, to determine that those roots are not growing where we will be excavating.
The EmX project preparation work also involves EWEB’s relocation of water services. This project is expected to continue for several months.
Some businesses and residents are unhappy about the extension. VanWinkle says the overnight work seeks to minimize the impact on commerce, as well as on traffic.