QuickTake:

The extensive project included installing new wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, rebuilding the street and creating crosswalks and bike lanes.

Construction on Mill Street in Springfield wrapped up recently after a year’s worth of work to reconstruct the road and make it safer for cyclists and pedestrians. 

The road reopened on Friday, Oct. 31. The city was set to host a grand reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 5, but postponed the event due to wind and rain.

Roadwork began in September 2024 and led to lane closures as contractors rebuilt Mill Street from South A Street to Centennial Boulevard. Engineers have said the road was deteriorating and needed to be replaced, so they took the opportunity to update aging underground stormwater and wastewater lines. The project finished on time.

In a project status update announcing the reopening of the street, the city thanked residents for their patience during the construction. Mill Street is lined with houses and apartment buildings.

“We know that living near a long-term construction project is disruptive — from noise and dust to traffic detours and daily inconveniences,” the statement said. “We want to sincerely thank you for your patience, flexibility, and understanding throughout this process. Your cooperation made it possible for the project to move forward safely and efficiently.”

The long timeframe for the project was due to the scope of the work, Kristi Krueger, capital engineering manager for the city, previously told Lookout Eugene-Springfield. In addition to the stormwater and wastewater upgrades, the work included relocating underground utilities. 

Contractors also installed five crosswalks and seven speed humps, which are flatter, less aggressive speed bumps. The project also added Americans with Disabilities Act ramps and enhanced street lighting.

Additionally, contractors installed a bike facility along both sides of Mill Street from Main Street to E Street. Previously, bikes rode in the street. A bike facility differs from a bike lane by separating cyclists from vehicles with a landscape strip, Krueger said. Bike lanes have been installed between E Street and Centennial Boulevard. The bike facility provides safer access to downtown for cyclists using the West D Street Greenway, she said.

K&E Excavating Inc. led the construction work under an $11.3 million contract with the city. Krueger told Lookout on Wednesday that the project finished about $1 million dollars under its overall budget, from design to construction. Federal money, Oregon Department of Transportation funding and city of Springfield wastewater and stormwater funds all contributed to the project.