Road Closure Update 

As the work continues to move north, it may be necessary to close East 33rd Ave.

Please note that both 33rd and 34th Avenues will not be closed at the same time due to traffic flow requirements. If it is necessary to close off East 33rd Ave, East 34th will open.  

As a reminder 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 Plants: Camas Bulbs

A segment of the city-owned empty lot between East 33rd Ave and East 34th Ave is classified as wetlands, which requires additional care during construction projects. This care includes a pre-approved 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 Bulbs, 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 Steek, City of Eugene Ecologist for 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 City of Eugene Parks and Open Space website for more information on current projects and volunteer opportunities.  

City of Eugene and community volunteers dig out Camas Bulbs to be replanted.

More About the Project 

This critical phase of the Hilyard Pipeline Project will involve installing new 36-inch welded steel water transmission pipeline between E. 34th Alley and E. 33rd Avenue, completing the connection to the existing water transmission main. 

The link will serve as an additional pathway between the recently completed E. 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. Emails 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