Bob Straub Parkway construction underway, Springfield & Thurston OR benefits

The Jasper Extension, renamed the Bob Straub Parkway, should be done this fall when connection is made with Jasper Road.

As an Oregon native and knowing who Bob Straub was (Governor 1975 - 1979), I am quite surprised that anything is named after him, except for a small rest area somewhere remote. If you search Bob Straub, you won't come up with much on him, which is pretty appropriate for a real do nothing governor. To be honest, if you search Robert Straub, you get more, but he was still a pretty ineffective governor in a pretty long line of ineffective governors.

However, the extension of I-105 through Thurston (Springfield) connects with Jasper Road while opening up a substantial portion of Thurston to development. Springfield is a growth community and is looking for ways to expand and develop. The extension will effectively connect Hwy 58 and Springfield.

The new 3-lane road will be constructed between South 57th and Jasper Road in southeast Springfield. Lane County is providing approximately $5 million from the County Road Fund for the project and the City of Springfield is providing the other $300,000.

The parkway is being constructed primarily through vacant land and will connect to Jasper Road near Brand S Road. The new roadway will provide an arterial link between Highway 58 and Main Street and will open the Natron area of Springfield for future development. It will also help alleviate the heavy truck traffic on Jasper Road, that has been classified a safety zone.

I live in the area and want to know why the second phase of the construction, which is complete, isn't open yet?