What the public thinks of Franklin Boulevard today

The UO campus and downtown Eugene are pedestrian friendly, human-scaled environments. Franklin should emulate this. Less traffic lanes, protected bike lanes, more trees.

The biggest issue with Franklin Boulevard today is the lack of safe pedestrian crossings. Pedestrians are often lulled into a sense of safety, due to the bus route buffer that runs down the middle, or pedestrians are desperate, since the signalized crossings are few and far between. Having roundabouts instead of intersections (and more of them) will help pedestrians feel less impatient and be more willing to wait to cross.

I ride my bike to work almost daily in the spring, summer, and fall. I almost always move my bike up onto the sidewalk when I am crossing Franklin Boulevard, because I am concerned about being hit by the cars that are coming from behind me or turning right. I also use a great deal of caution when I am returning from work, crossing Franklin Boulevard again. I am always concerned that a driver will not see me and could hit me. As a pedestrian, I also frequently cross Franklin Boulevard. I also worry about my safety as I cross because of the fast-moving cars. I have not been hit here, but I am very cautious because I have been hit by a car and hospitalized in the past. In the winter, I now drive to work, because now that I am older, I do not wish to ride back-and-forth on my bicycle when it is dark. I have been so impressed by the change in Glenwood Franklin Boulevard. I was delighted to learn that there might be a similar traffic circle in Eugene on the Franklin Boulevard near my house. I think this would be more beautiful and would be safer, both when I ride my bicycle, and when I walk. I am disappointed by my neighbors’s strong opposition to this plan. Unfortunately, I have been unable to attend the meetings. I did respond in an email to my neighbors about my support of the plan. I also watched the strong opposition to the changes on Willamette Street in the last couple of years, and how this opposition melted after the changes were made. The changes make Willamette Street so much better. I am thinking that this might happen with the Fairmount neighborhood opposition.

the intersection near Dutch Bros. is unsafe for all types of transportation methods – have seen reports from students, UOPD, etc. about vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents, some resulting in major medical issues. If there is a place to prioritize or start it would be this intersection and almost all of Patterson and Hilyard Streets for pedestrians to cross.

Pedestrian safety

I bike across Franklin everyday and consistently see people speed and run red lights. There needs to be better pedestrian and bike crossings and overall accommodation for car alternative transportation. Also it is the Main Street of Fairmount and should aesthetically reflect the neighborhood identity.

crossing Franklin at Onyx Bridge and – to a less extent – Agate is plainly dangerous. I worry that the planned round-abouts will continue to be dangerous for pedestrians crossing Franklin at these locations.

I think Franklin boulevard has issues regarding accessibility for disabilities and other non car related ways of travel.

Improvements to provide better bike and walking use AND that allow at least as good access to Hirons and Market of Choice as there is now would be good. The tentative plan I have seen will destroy both of those vital businesses because of reduced ways to access them. The entire East Eugene neighborhood will be poorer and have to travel much further for services and sales now provided by those two businesses.

Franklin Blvd is very busy and often I’ve seen drivers run red lights when pedestrians are crossing the street. There are potholes in the crosswalk which makes it very dangerous for pedestrians, especially folks with any type of physical disability. The crosswalk time isn’t long enough for anyone with a disability or alter-ability to cross in a timely way.

Synchronize the traffic lights. The light at Agate interferes with the flow of traffic.Too many drivers speed to “make the light” Scares / harms pedestrians, bike riders, other non-drivers.

From attending 5 city open houses and neighborhood presentations I have questioned and learned a lot about the Franklin Boulevard Project. It is excellent. Finally, Franklin Blvd will be safe to cross, bikeable and walkable. EmX service will vastly improve. Students and seniors will be much safer and better able to navigate the neighborhood.

This space feels like it’s been forgotten, and is waiting for someone, anyone to come up with a plan. It feels now like there’s NO PLAN. Pedestrian centered plans will CHANGE how people use the space, especially UO students and faculty/staff.

Franklin Boulevard is very dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists. The sight lines from turning lanes, the speed of traffic, the number of lanes, the fact that people tend to drive well over the speed limit regularly, the confusing nature of the turning lanes onto side streets… I can’t even list all the ways is currently unsafe to those who are not inside a vehicle. Even though I have never been hit while walking, it has come very close a number of times and that is also traumatizing. I would never consider riding a bike or or other mobility device on Franklin because that is a death wish. I think the city’s plans are good, and that roundabouts are not as scary as people think they are!

Some of the turning lanes on Franklin are confusing, even as someone who is familiar with the area. I accidentally turned into the wrong lane from Franklin onto Villard the other day (luckily other drivers saw me error and gave me room to correct it!) I don’t love having to turn left/make U turns to access business on either side. I appreciate that the EMX runs along Franklin, when I have taken it before (I did moreso in the past when I lived near a place that was on the route) I found it convenient for accessing the UO and Downtown. As a pedestrian, Franklin just feels exhausting to me–loud and full of traffic and I feel like I have to be extra vigilant at crosswalks because of all the different turn lanes/vehicles/etc.

Not safe for bikes or pedestrians

Safety needs to be addressed. The merging issues at the beginning of Franklin to the east are an issue. More roundabouts or other solutions that lead to smoother traffic flow, but still allow access to ALL businesses and driveways while ensuring safety for walking and biking should be the priority.

There is so much potential for this space to be special for the residents of Eugene and the students of the University of Oregon! Please don’t shy away from making it TRULY pedestrian centric. We need protected bike lanes, roundabouts, quality pedestrian crossings, many more trees and green spaces, etc. Thanks for doing this work!!

Biking on Franklin is unpleasant. I bike westward in the morning and have to be on the south sidewalk so I can turn left onto 13th. Being in the bike lane heading back eastward is terrifying. I’ve almost been hit and have seen other bikes almost hit by cars. There is glass and garbage in the bike gutters. If the larger sidewalk (once you get past Walnut heading east) were just extended up Franklin, biking and walking would be more pleasant. We don’t need a bunch of roundabouts on that street to fix the issues with it.

The proposed roundabouts will be a disaster for drivers and walkers. Anyone supporting them has not lived and travelled in this neighborhood; I have lived here for 30 years. The students will walk into the street while focused on anything other than traffic. Traffic will slow considerably to accommodate walkers. Franklin needs to stay a thoroughfare. Upgrade the condition of the street, make it more aesthetically pleasing, and increase safety for walkers and bike riders, but don’t put in roundabouts. The games and events at Matt Knight Arena, move in day, football game days, etc., cause total congestion and chaos. Imagine that area with no traffic lights…insanity.

I recently took a green scooter along the south side of Franklin and it was inconsistent, inconvenient and unsafe. The other side is a little better, but both sides need better bicycle and scooter access.

Turn it into pedestrian only and move the thoroughfare somewhere else. It’s already congested and dangerous enough- don’t add delays.

I think it needs to be more bike/walk friendly. The quality of road way need improvement.

Not ped or bike or mobility device friendly!

Franklin Boulevard seems extremely unsafe for bikers and pedestrians. Visibility is low and cars drive fast, due to the multiple lanes going in both directions.