Rhododendron Drive Multi-Use Path Open House

Open House to Discuss New Rhododendron Drive Multi-Use Path Alternatives

FLORENCE – City staff will be available between 4pm and 7pm on Thursday, October 16th at the Florence Events Center to discuss and get the public’s feedback on the new plan alternatives for the Rhododendron Drive Multi-Use Path.

No decision regarding whether to proceed or how to proceed with the Rhododendron Drive Multi-use path (Path) has been made.  The City Council is responsible for ensuring safety for all forms of transportation along its roadways and corridors.  It must balance this responsibility with the desires and wishes of all groups.

In light of recent citizen input, the City has reviewed the plans for the Path and requested approval of alternative designs from ODOT. The City will present these alternatives to citizens at an open house event prior to bringing them to the October 20th City Council work session on the same subject. The alternatives that will be presented are below:

Alternative 1: Construct a 5-foot shoulder for bicycles on both the east and west side of Rhododendron Drive.  In addition, a 6 foot sidewalk would need to be constructed on the east side.  If the sidewalk under this alternative is built next to the paved shoulder, a curb and drainage system would also be necessary.  The sidewalk could be separated from the roadway with a minimum 2 foot buffer and the curb would not be necessary.  All surface water runoff from the roadway would need to be treated.  Surface runoff from the sidewalk, although it would not need to be treated, it would need to be handled in an appropriate means.  This option will require the 2012 Transportation Systems Plan (TSP) to be modified.

Alternative 2: Construct a 6 foot paved shoulder on both sides of the roadway.  This shoulder would be shared by bicycles and pedestrians.  Again, all surface water runoff from the entire roadway paved surface will need to be treated.  This will require the 2012 TSP to be modified.

For more information on these alternative designs, please attend the open house at the Florence Events Center on Thursday, October 16th between 4pm and 7pm.