Franklin Corridor EmX Green Line BRT
Eugene to Springfield, Oregon, United States
Client: Lane Transit District
Parsons Brinckerhoff Role: Project Management
The Franklin Corridor EmX Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which opened in 2007, at the time represented one of the most advanced BRT systems in the United States. Attaining its 20-year projected ridership levels in its first year of service, the 4-mile-long (6.4-kilometer-long), eight-station starter line between downtown Eugene and Springfield has BRT vehicles operating in dedicated busways and mixed traffic, including in unique bi-directional, block signal controlled busways that allowed right-of-way-impacts from the project to be minimized.
Parsons Brinckerhoff was the prime consultant, providing overall project management, civil design, horizontal/vertical alignment and traffic signal design. Key components included transit signal priority, queue jumping, and dedicated guideways. Sustainable features include hybrid diesel-electric vehicles that have low emissions, better fuel economy, and longer brake life and maintenance costs than conventional diesel vehicles. The lanes, or busways, have a sustainable grass strip between the wheel tracks to absorb and filter storm water.
In February 2009, construction began on the Gateway EmX Extension, a 5.2-mile (8.4-kilometer) extension of the Franklin line, adding 14 stations and bringing service north to Springfield’s rapidly developing Gateway/Riverbend area. The extension will connect the Parsons Brinckerhoff-designed Springfield Transit Station to major regional services and employers. Opened to revenue service in January 2011, this is the second phase of the District’s 20-year plan to significantly enhance transit service through a build-out of approximately 60 miles (100 kilometers) of BRT service.