Reimagining Highway 99: A corridor of Opportunity and Care

Residents in the Bethel and Trainsong neighborhoods have already shared their vision for Highway 99, Now, it is your turn. Please read the draft vision and priorities below and use the engagement options at the bottom to provide your thoughts. Check the right column for related information and ways to stay engaged. Thank you!

Highway 99 is more than just a road; it’s a vital artery that connects the Eugene Airport and the Bethel area to downtown and other parts of Eugene. For many residents, Highway 99 has become a symbol of disconnection, danger and underinvestment. Through a series of thoughtful, community-driven requests, the Active Bethel and the Trainsong neighborhoods want a transformation of this corridor into a safer, more vibrant and more inclusive space. Residents in the Bethel and Trainsong neighborhoods shared the vision document below. We are now seeking input from all Highway 99 users and interested parties to identify a citywide vision for this important corridor.

A Safer Highway 99 for All

Safety is the most urgent concern. Residents have identified Highway 99 as a high-risk area for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly near intersections like Roosevelt and Barger. To address this, they propose:

• Installing physical barriers to prevent jaywalking and guide pedestrians to designated crosswalks.
• Adding pedestrian-controlled crossing lights and traffic calming measures to reduce vehicle speeds and improve visibility.
• Evaluating key intersections, such as the “4-corners” at Roosevelt and Highway 99, to enhance safety and connectivity, especially for students traveling to Willamette High School.
• Improving non-motorized access to and across the corridor, ensuring that people walking, biking, or using mobility devices can move safely and confidently.

These changes reflect a desire to reclaim the corridor as a space that prioritizes human life and dignity over speed and convenience.

Revitalizing the Corridor Through Housing and Urban Design

Beyond safety, residents see the Highway 99 area as a place of untapped potential. Bethel residents envision it as a site for urban revitalization, where new housing and mixed-use development can bring life and opportunity.

• New housing developments are desired along the corridor or nearby, including affordable options that meet the needs of seniors, families, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Urban renovation efforts are encouraged to improve the physical environment, making it more welcoming, walkable, and economically vibrant.

This vision is about more than buildings, it’s about creating a corridor that reflects the values of the community: affordability, accessibility, and beauty.

Supporting Vulnerable Populations with Compassion

Highway 99 is also home to many of the City’s services for unhoused residents. While these services are essential, the community is asking for a more balanced and coordinated approach to ensure safety and dignity for everyone.

• Residents propose working with nonprofits and faith-based organizations to address the impacts of service concentration in the Bethel and Trainsong neighborhoods.
• They call for collaborative strategies that support unhoused individuals while also addressing concerns about safety, sanitation, and neighborhood livability.

This is a call for compassionate, community based solutions that recognize the humanity of all residents, housed and unhoused alike.