P21180 – Jasper/Dondea and Jasper/Filbert Street Crossings (Safe Routes to School)

Project Status:

December 2023: Project is now complete

Construction began the week of July 17, 2023  on safety upgrades for two crosswalks on Jasper Rd. The crosswalks at Dondea St. and Filbert Ln. will receive rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) for safer pedestrian access to Douglas Gardens and Mt. Vernon elementary schools.

The project was awarded to Pacific Excavation in the amount of $246,589.00.

Funding was received for both Jasper/Dondea and Jasper/Filbert through a combination of funds from the school district and an ODOT Safe Routes to School Grant.

Project Description:

Students at Mt Vernon and Douglas Gardens Elementary Schools face a significant barrier in crossing Jasper Road due to the large 42-foot-wide crossing distance. Jasper Rd has posted speeds of up to 35 mph in this neighborhood. The speeds and crossing distance of Jasper Rd. make it unsafe to cross according to parents and staff.

This project will add rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) to the crossings at Douglas Gardens and Mt. Vernon Elementary Schools, as well as a pedestrian refuge island at Douglas Gardens. RRFBs have been proven to be effective countermeasures that increase the yielding rates of people driving and make it safer, more comfortable, and easier for people walking to cross the street.

Douglas Gardens (Jasper Road at Dondea Street) includes a pedestrian refuge island since the location and turning movements allow for it, which makes the two-stage crossing safer and more visible.

The Mt. Vernon location (Jasper Rd at Filbert Ln) has sidewalk mounted poles and flashing beacons without a refuge island since the center turn lane is needed for left turn movements off of Jasper onto S 41st S.

Project History:

Both Douglas Gardens Elementary and Mt. Vernon completed an action planning process in the 2016/2017 school year. This process involved a number of meetings to understand the barriers to students safely and comfortably taking active modes to school (including a mapping activity and walk/bike-ability exercise). The Springfield SRTS coordinator continues to engage with these schools to partner with them on engagement and education activities. Due to COVID-19, the nature of engagement has changed with schools, however the Eugene-Springfield Regional Team has created a toolkit with a number of virtual resources available on their website.