As a relatively new resident of Eugene – five years – I’ve been surprised by how much noise pollution there is for a relatively small- to medium-sized city. Whether it’s Oregon Route 126/Coburg Road/Oakway Road or Highway 99 running right through downtown, it feels like a NASCAR race every day.

You can’t escape it almost anywhere in town, even South Eugene has 30th Avenue. Makes it feel chaotic and not necessarily bustling in a good way like a busy city. With the new riverfront development well on the way, the train running right through and the overpass, I have been stunned as to why the city hasn’t done anything to calm things down.

I’d be curious why the city thinks that people will be happy when it’s that noisy. Or maybe city leaders will start to notice, given City Hall has opened up there as well.

Gabriel Basayne
Eugene