Viewpoint: 3RT Update (March 12, 2007)
Last November a number of concerned neighbors formed a group called Residents for
Responsible Rapid Transit (RRRT or “3RT”) to respond to the City’s decision to study the
West 11th Corridor for an extension of EmX bus service. The City defined the corridor to
include any street within a quarter mile of West 11th Avenue, and made this corridor its
priority for the third EmX route.
Since November 3RT members have met with LTD and City officials and made public
comments to City Council. In addition, a 3RT member is participating in the West Eugene
(WE) group recently formed to address continuing transportation problems in far West
Eugene, following the failure of the West Eugene Parkway project. LTD is working with the
City and the WE group to determine how EmX might work into any new plan to help
address those traffic problems. At the same time LTD is conducting its own study.
LTD officials recently assured 3RT that the portion of West 11th Avenue running through
the Jefferson Westside Neighborhood is not being considered for the third EmX route.
LTD reports that they have begun the process to select a route but have made no decision.
However, LTD also has indicated that in their current view the most attractive way to get to
West 11th Avenue beyond Chambers would be to build an EmX lane in each direction
along the South side of 13th Avenue (Fairgrounds side) from Lawrence Street to
Chambers. In order to get to and from 13th Avenue from the Downtown Station, LTD
prefers Jefferson Street outbound and Lawrence Street for the return. Nonetheless, no
street within 1/4 mile of West 11th has been officially eliminated.
3RT members strongly believe that the infrastructure required for EmX, including the now-
familiar raised platform stations, permanent exclusive guideways and the buses
themselves, would be greatly out of scale anywhere in this charming residential
neighborhood. 3RT also is concerned that fewer stops farther apart will reduce service to
residents in the neighborhood who rely on the bus system to get to work, the store,
doctors’ offices, etc. These are just two of many facets to the EmX issue.
3RT members are confident that there is a better way to get EmX to far West Eugene, and
that it is not necessary to dissect the Jefferson Westside Neighborhood to get there. LTD
says it won’t build EmX anywhere without support from the community through our elected
representatives. That’s why early input and advocacy is very important.
Through its members' coordinated efforts, 3RT plans to ensure that any bus rapid transit
development is driven by need, is planned in collaboration with residents, our
neighborhood association and other stakeholders, and does not diminish the livability,
safety and character of our neighborhood.
If you would like to work with 3RT, get email updates or attend a 3RT meeting to learn more
about this issue, please contact me at 3RT@comcast.net.
Ilona Koleszar
Residents for Responsible Rapid Transit
3RT@comcast.net
Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Responsible Rapid Transit (RRRT or “3RT”) to respond to the City’s decision to study the
West 11th Corridor for an extension of EmX bus service. The City defined the corridor to
include any street within a quarter mile of West 11th Avenue, and made this corridor its
priority for the third EmX route.
Since November 3RT members have met with LTD and City officials and made public
comments to City Council. In addition, a 3RT member is participating in the West Eugene
(WE) group recently formed to address continuing transportation problems in far West
Eugene, following the failure of the West Eugene Parkway project. LTD is working with the
City and the WE group to determine how EmX might work into any new plan to help
address those traffic problems. At the same time LTD is conducting its own study.
LTD officials recently assured 3RT that the portion of West 11th Avenue running through
the Jefferson Westside Neighborhood is not being considered for the third EmX route.
LTD reports that they have begun the process to select a route but have made no decision.
However, LTD also has indicated that in their current view the most attractive way to get to
West 11th Avenue beyond Chambers would be to build an EmX lane in each direction
along the South side of 13th Avenue (Fairgrounds side) from Lawrence Street to
Chambers. In order to get to and from 13th Avenue from the Downtown Station, LTD
prefers Jefferson Street outbound and Lawrence Street for the return. Nonetheless, no
street within 1/4 mile of West 11th has been officially eliminated.
3RT members strongly believe that the infrastructure required for EmX, including the now-
familiar raised platform stations, permanent exclusive guideways and the buses
themselves, would be greatly out of scale anywhere in this charming residential
neighborhood. 3RT also is concerned that fewer stops farther apart will reduce service to
residents in the neighborhood who rely on the bus system to get to work, the store,
doctors’ offices, etc. These are just two of many facets to the EmX issue.
3RT members are confident that there is a better way to get EmX to far West Eugene, and
that it is not necessary to dissect the Jefferson Westside Neighborhood to get there. LTD
says it won’t build EmX anywhere without support from the community through our elected
representatives. That’s why early input and advocacy is very important.
Through its members' coordinated efforts, 3RT plans to ensure that any bus rapid transit
development is driven by need, is planned in collaboration with residents, our
neighborhood association and other stakeholders, and does not diminish the livability,
safety and character of our neighborhood.
If you would like to work with 3RT, get email updates or attend a 3RT meeting to learn more
about this issue, please contact me at 3RT@comcast.net.
Ilona Koleszar
Residents for Responsible Rapid Transit
3RT@comcast.net
Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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Jefferson Westside Neighbors