Eugene, Ore. – Lane Transit District, (LTD), has officially entered the engineering phase of the West Eugene Expansion Project. In this phase, the design of the project will be refined, and the public can expect to see surveyors and technical crews gathering information. Crew members will also be sent door-to-door check in and answer questions from businesses, property owners, and residents directly effected by the new route.

“When the west Eugene MX opens, you would be able to travel all the way from the far end of west Eugene, all the way up to north Springfield without even having to transfer vehicles,” said Lisa VanWinkle, communications coordinator for the West Eugene EMX Project.

The engineering phase is funded by Oregon state lottery, and should be finished by winter 2014. Construction should begin soon after and the Eugene community can take advantage of the new route as soon as 2017.

The project is expected to cost $95.6 million, and will be jointly funded by federal funds and the Oregon state lottery. Each year EMX ridership continues to rise, and a new record of 11,258 was reached April 19, 2013.

To watch the video click here: LTD Expansion

Casey Pechan, DuckTV News