Residents weigh in on rebuild options

BLUE RIVER: More than two dozen people had a chance in March to record their feelings on good and bad aspects of plans that will help determine how Blue River rebuilds after the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire. During a meeting in the McKenzie High School gym, maps and comment forms for Lane County’s Blue River Drive design concept project allowed people to focus on four different sections of the road.

Transportation planner Becky Taylor told the group to address issues like what the best and worst outcomes might be? Whether there were any unresolvable controversies a new design might involve? And other issues like flooding, speeding vehicles or other safety concerns.

So far, results have shown support for a design that would support business recovery in the downtown area, including ways for travelers to exit Hwy. 126 and enter Blue River. Another traffic related option that gained support involves the area between the Blue River bridge and the school. There, people said they’s support safe sidewalks or bike/pedestrian paths.

Engineers plan to prepare an overall plan with three alternatives for people to comment on in the Spring before moving forward. After that, a “community preferred alternative,” would be reviewed by the county’s Transportation Advisory Committee before being forwarded to the Board of Commissioners by August.