Oregon legislators voted just before adjourning their recent session to address University of Oregon utility tunnel issues that could interrupt power and water to half of the Eugene campus if left unresolved.

State-backed bonds to pay for the $2.1 million project were included in a $29.3 million package of capital projects from the Oregon University System that was approved late in the session by lawmakers. The projects – on five of the seven OUS campuses – all were considered urgent and related to life-safety issues, one-time opportunities to address student access or deferred maintenance.

The UO had also sought funding for a larger list of capital investments at Oregon's universities. Included in the larger request was $7 million in state bonds to pay for a renovation of Chapman Hall, home of the Robert D. Clark Honors College. The request was not funded, but Hans Bernard – the UO's associate vice president of state and community affairs – said a good foundation was established with lawmakers.

"Our relationships with legislators of both parties, members of the HECC and other institutions are stronger today than they were when session began," Bernard said. 

The UO tunnel project will address issues with the Franklin Utility Tunnel, one of two tunnels that connect campus to its main power plant. The tunnel runs beneath Franklin Boulevard, and an independent engineering firm concluded last year that problems must be addressed soon to avoid potential structural failure or collapse, which would interrupt utility services to half of the UO campus. The firm's report cited "considerable section loss of the steel tunnel lining due to corrosion."

The project will create 19 jobs and could begin in September, according to a report to the legislature from Chris Ramey, the UO's associate vice president for campus planning and real estate.

- from the UO Office of Public Affairs Communication