Water project may require closing off East 33rd
3 min read
from Eugene Water & Electric Board
The work on the Hilyard pipeline project is proceeding as expected, with some minor delays due to keeping the trenches clear of mud during the wet weather.
Contractors have added new transmission pipe from East 34th Alley to East 34th Avenue. The final segment of pipe will be installed within the empty lot between East 33rd Avenue and East 34th Avenue.
Road closure update
East 34th Avenue is currently closed at Hilyard Street. As the work continues to move north, it may be necessary to close off East 33rd Avenue and reopen East 34th Avenue. Both will not be closed at the same time, due to traffic flow requirements.
For everyone’s safety, please observe all posted traffic controls, parking restrictions, and detours. Cyclists and pedestrians should take extra care to follow traffic and closure signage as the active construction zone shifts north to the empty lot.
Vegetation restoration and monitoring may continue after construction work is complete. Road closures will not be necessary, but you may see EWEB or our contractors on site for the next few months.
Saving native camas plants
A segment of the city-owned empty lot between East 33rd Avenue and East 34th Avenue is classified as wetlands, which requires additional care during construction projects. This care includes a preapproved filtered dewatering plan, reduced ground disturbance, vegetation restoration, and additional requirements that are embedded in EWEB’s project plan.
During construction, the team also discovered the soil was rich with camas, a native bulb-producing plant that is ecologically and culturally significant to the Willamette Valley. Working with the city of Eugene, EWEB identified a solution to temporarily store soil at our College Hill construction site to create space for the salvage of the camas bulbs. Once the rescue work is complete, the soil stored at College Hill will be returned to Hilyard and placed in the upper parts of the trench to protect other wetland species that may be in the soil
Through partnership and coordination with EWEB, Diane Steeck, ecologist for Eugene Parks and Open Space, gathered volunteers during the weeks of March 3 and 10 to save over 450 camas bulbs! Over 220 have already been planted in the Westmoreland Park prairie area where volunteers are also doing an invasive grass removal project. Planting will continue at Westmoreland Park, an additional wetland restoration site, and will be utilized for educational purposes.
Check the Eugene Parks and Open Space website for more information on current projects and volunteer opportunities.
More about the project
This critical phase of the Hilyard pipeline project will involve installing new 36-inch welded steel water transmission pipeline between East 34th Alley and East 33rd Avenue, completing the connection to the existing water transmission main.
The link will serve as an additional pathway between the recently completed East 40th water storage tanks and Eugene’s water system, improving reliability for our community and capacity for neighborhood firefighting protection.
In addition to the transmission pipeline, smaller distribution pipes will be replaced or added. These pipes ensure safe, reliable drinking water directly to neighbors’ homes and businesses.
Contact us with questions
If you have questions or input, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the project team at 541-685-7899 or water.storage@eweb.org. Email sent to this address will reach:
- Chris Irvin, water engineering supervisor
- Ryan Nossaman, Hilyard pipeline project manager and engineering tech
- Jen Connors, Public Affairs & Communications manager
- Hanna Ashcraft, communications specialist
