Earthquake: Interstate-5 bridge, others slated for ODOT work
Continued from page 6
that it would create a domino effect
and cause Lookout Point and Dexter
dams to break also, he said.
However, the greatest danger to
the Hills Creek Dam is not a Cascadia
Subduction Zone earthquake, but a
crustal event, which occurs about
every 2,500 years, Hinds said.
Failure of a dam would create
massive flooding, destroying
bridges and roadways.
“It would be catastrophic if one of
these structures failed,” Hinds said.
Hinds stresses that dams are heavi
ly monitored by engineers and are
continually under seismic inspection.
In addition, a number of earth
quakes worldwide in past 10 years
have shown embankment dams, like
Fern Ridge and Hills Creek, perform
ing better than expected, Hinds said.
Unprepared infrastructure
The Oregon Department of Trans
portation has conducted an intense
analysis of seismic conditions for all
roadways and bridges in the state
over the last several years, said Lou
Torres, an ODOT spokesman.
In Lane County, ODOT is working
on several bridges and overpasses,
Torres said.
Currently, the Interstate-5 bridge
over the Willamette River is a tempo
rary structure, which ODOT aims to
replace permanently by 2010, said
Tim Potter, ODOT Region 2 bridge
geo/hydro unit manager.
However, the temporary bridge
was designed without extreme seis
mic considerations, Potter said. In the
event of a major earthquake, these
bridges would probably not collapse,
but might not be usable, he said.
Eugene Water and Electric Board
non-headquarters facilities and
warehouses, built in 1952, harbor
the majority of EWEB’s response ve
hicles, equipment and supplies, and
they are susceptible to collapse in an
earthquake, said Lance Robertson,
EWEB spokesman.
“It would definitely hamper our
ability to get power turned back on in
timely way,” Robertson said.
The need for science
Scientific input is critical in
developing disaster emergency
response plans, geology professor
Weldon said.
“There’s a tendency for political
or economic interests to basically ig
nore science if it’s difficult to deal
with,” he said.
Weldon used the example of Lane
County Emergency Manager Linda
Cook only having one available staff
member to assist in disaster prepara
tion for the entire county.
Weldon said the city’s plan for
disaster mitigation and management
covers the ground, but is not very de
tailed and could use additional
scientific input.
Kate Horton | Photographer
Andre LeDuc, program director for the Oregon Natural Hazards Workgroup, points out the potential dangers of Hendricks Hall.
“Nature doesn’t really care if we’re
paying attention or not,” he said.
Contact the crime, health
and safety reporter at
kgagnon @ dailyemerald. com
Springfield
• Cougar
Fall
Creek
Eugene
Cottage
Grove
Dexter
'cJS
irove
Chris Todd I Graphic artist
Source: Army Corps of Engineers
Dams of the Eugene-Willamette Basin area
Legend
m Dams
Cities
0 15
1 L.
(miles)
Location Map
Wheels.
Open Monday to Friday 8-6, Saturday 8-5, Sunday 10-5
at the Eugene Lincoln Mercury Showroom
380 Goodpasture Island Road in the Valley River AUTO Center
• Sport utility 4x4 vehicles & cargo vans
• Sporty compacts luxury cars &
• FREE customer pick-up (local area only)
• Low daily, weekly & monthly rates
• Credit cash or cash deposits
• ALL DRIVERS MUST BE 21 OR OLDER
• Does not include taxes or surcharges. Offer may not be used in conjunction with any other promotional offers.
Limit one coupon per customer and one coupon per rental.
Eugene VAN
& CAR Rental
342-6161
www.elmcars.com
7,12 & 15 seat passenger vans
Kate Horton | Photographer
Police and other city-owned vehicles are parked beneath City Hall when not in use.
The building is not up to current seismic codes and could potentially collapse in the
event of an earthquake.
Stuff your pie-hole with tasty wholesome foods like our Big Bulging
Burritos, Hot Heaping Bowls, Kickin' Quesadillas, Fresh Soups, Salads,
S?lsas and Smoothies. While you're here enjoy the organic juice bar,
vegan-baked goodies, local microbrews, art-, music and general mischief.
760 Blair Blvd., Eugene
541.868.0668
Vegetarian, Vegan, Omnivore-friendly menu
Quick non-surly Service & Take-out • Food Alliance Member