Bear Creek and 27th Street Improvements Project

The City is designing a variety of safer and more accessible bike and pedestrian routes throughout the community, including along Bear Creek Road and SE 27th Street, two of Bend’s heavily traveled corridors. Making these corridor “key routes” safer and more bike and pedestrian-friendly is part of the Transportation GO Bond approved by voters in 2020. 

The project will construct a new roundabout at the intersection of Bear Creek Road, Pettigrew Road, and Purcell Boulevard, share use paths on the north side of Bear Creek Road and west side of 27th Street and will connect Larkspur and Coyner trails.

Why are we doing this project?

This project addresses the need for a more balanced transportation system with safer, lower stress travel options, specifically for those for people who walk, bike, and roll. This vision and the Project’s improvements were identified as priorities in the 2020 Bend Transportation System Plan (TSP).

Currently, sidewalks are narrow or non-existent and do not comply with current City Roadway standards. Bicycle lanes are similarly incomplete or nonexistent, resulting in a high stress and unsafe experience. 

Growth in recent years has strained the capacity at key intersections, such as the Bear Creek, Pettigrew Road, and Purcell Boulevard intersection. A new roundabout with ADA upgrades will further the goal of safe and low-stress travel. Below is a list of project goals and evaluation criteria that helped us decide what improvements to construct. 

Finalized Project Goals and Evaluation Criteria

Roundabout at Bear Creek Road, Pettigrew Road and Purcell Boulevard

A new single lane roundabout including share use paths, illumination, landscaping, and water, sewer, and storm sewer utility upgrades. The new roundabout will primarily address safety concerns at an intersection that currently experiences high crash rates while also enhancing walking and biking facilities for the community.

• Budget: $3.7M
• Benefits: The roundabout will significantly improve traffic flows and safety by mitigating motor vehicle collisions, pedestrian accidents, and general crash or injury severity. The roundabout is compatible and consistent with intersections of similar nature in the Larkspur neighborhood. 
• Tradeoffs: Two (2) parcels on the south side will be impacted and right-of-way (ROW) acquisitions and access modifications are necessary. Lack of bicycle and pedestrian facilities along Pettigrew Road will continue to result in high stress conditions for southbound travelers. 
• Other Alternative Considered
  •  A protected single-lane roundabout with separated walking and bicycling facilities was considered. The alternative would be outside of the Project budget and would require impacting two (2) additional parcels on the north side requiring ROW acquisition and building impacts. While this alternative would improve comfort for bicyclists, the result is an imbalanced intersection as the entrances and exits will require using a mix of narrow shoulders, bike lanes or share use paths. 

Shared Use Path on North Side

This will provide a shared use path for bi-directional walking and bicycling while filling gaps to create a continuous path along the corridor’s entirety and would retain the roadway’s existing pavement width with no additional widening. To avoid right-of-way and utility impacts, the shared use path width may vary but will typically be 10’ wide along most of the corridor. This design would not prohibit future enhancements such as adding a shared-use path on the south side of Bear Creek Road under a separate project.

• Budget: $2.7M 
• Benefits: Consisting of the smallest overall footprint while minimizing new construction, this design derives the lowest cost and falls within the City’s construction budget. Construction-related impacts are anticipated to be minimal, while ongoing maintenance requirements are not anticipated to differ from current needs.
• Trade-Offs: The imbalanced cross-section could create challenges for people accessing destinations on Bear Creek Road’s south side via foot or bike. The lack of pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure on the south side would result in less comfortable conditions) for people choosing to complete their walking or bicycling trips on the roadway’s south side. 
• Other Alternatives Considered:
  • Shared Use Paths on Both Sides (formerly Concept B) – required pavement widening on the south side which significantly increased costs outside of the Project budget. Share use path on south side would have minimal separation from the motorized vehicle travel lane and increased roadway maintenance overtime (due to the striped buffers and roadway safety devices).
  • Raised Protected Bike Lanes with Sidewalks or Shared Use Paths on both sides (formerly Concept C) – while this option met most project goals and evaluation criteria it came in at a cost that far exceeded the entire Project budget. Full roadway reconstruction coupled with numerous private property impacts resulted in a cost-prohibitive solution.

Shared Use Path on West Side

The major components will include converting the existing westerly sidewalk into a shared use path for bi-directional walking and bicycling. This will not include any modifications to the roadway itself or prevent widening 27th Street to provide additional motor vehicle travel lanes in the future (which is identified as a future project in the City’s Transportation System Plan).

• Budget: $4.815M
• Benefits: Community members expressed stronger support for this alternative. Installing a shared use path on the west side shared use path meets the City’s bicycle level of traffic stress target while providing intuitive and easy bicycle access to west side destinations. The facilities will improve functionality and safety and create a more comfortable environment for all users. Physical separation between motor vehicle traffic and people bicycling would reduce crash potential while also potentially reducing crash severity.
• Trade-Offs: The absence of bicycle facilities on the east side creates higher stress conditions (for riders electing to use the eastern shoulder) and complicates access to east side destinations. The alternative to install buffered bike lanes on the east side would not fully meet the City’s level of traffic stress target. Lack of physical separation between motor vehicles and people bicycling could also increase the potential for conflicts between these modes.
• Other Alternative Considered:
  • Sidewalk Infill (West Side) and Shared Use Path (East Side) (Concept B of Open House#1) – converting the east side sidewalk into a shared use path for people walking and bicycling. This would provide a continuous sidewalk on the west side by filling gaps. Similar, yet reversed, benefits and tradeoffs from final design decision would exist under Concept B.

Shared use path, Striping and Wayfinding improvements 

Share use path starting on the southwest corner of Bear Creek and 15th roundabout that connects to the Bear Creek Elementary School pick-up/drop-off zone. 

Striping and Wayfinding from Bear Creek Elementary School to the Coyner Trail intersection with Burnside Ave, Alden Ave, and 10th St.

• Budget: $385K 
• Benefit: Project will create a connection between Coyner and Larkspur Trail for increased accessibility in the neighborhood.
• Trade-offs: The Project provides an interim trail connection while the Bear Creek Elementary site improvements (planned for 2027) are incorporated. The absence of separate bicycle facilities and direct trail connection creates higher stress for both pedestrians and bicyclists. Wayfinding and signage reduce accessibility for individuals with visual disabilities. 
• Other Alternative Considered: The Project evaluated a share use path along the northerly Bear Creek Elementary School property line (parallel to the existing parking lot) then cross country to connect to the existing paved Coyner Trail. Challenging topography (steep slopes), especially along the parking lot section required tall retaining structures to support the path which would fall outside of the Trail Project budget. 

$2.7M Budget

$2.7 million is allocated for Bear Creek Road, between Cessna Drive and the east urban growth boundary, from the 2020 Transportation GO Bond.

Concept A: Shared Use Path on North Side

• Concept A roll plot

• No roadway widening, generally retains existing roadway pavement width.
• Converts the north side sidewalk into a shared use path for people walking and bicycling; also fills gaps to create a continuous path. Shared use path width varies due to existing right-of-way constraints.
• Does not preclude a future full “build out” with protected walk/bike facilities on the south side.
• Cost: $2.4 million

Concept B: Shared Use Paths on Both Sides

• Concept B Roll Plot

• Converts the north side sidewalk into a shared use path for people walking and bicycling; also fills gaps to create a continuous path.
• Minor roadway widening to provide space for a street-level shared use path on the south side. Shared use path width varies due to existing right-of-way constraints.
• Does not preclude a future full “build-out” with raised walking and bicycling facilities on the south side.
• Cost: $4.5 million

Concept C: Raised Protected Bike Lanes with Sidewalks or Shared Use Paths on both sides.

• Concept C Roll Plot

• Complete roadway reconstruction to provide raised protected bike lanes and sidewalks or shared use paths. People on foot and bicycle each have their own dedicated space.
• Significant ROW impacts and construction costs beyond the project’s budget.
• Cost: $17.6 million

Concepts Considerations Matrix

$4.815M Budget*

$4.815 million was allocated from the 2020 Transportation GO Bond for 27th Street between US Hwy 20 and Reed Market Road. The concepts below are divided into two segments:

• NORTH– 27th Street from US Hwy 20 to Bear Creek Road 
• SOUTH – 27th Street from Bear Creek Road to Reed Market Road

*Amount is the total budgeted amount for both the North and South segments of 27th Street improvements between US Hwy 20 and Reed Market Road. 

NORTH CONCEPTS
27th Street between US20 and Bear Creek Road

Concept A: Buffered Bike Lanes (at Street Level)

• Slight narrowing of vehicle lanes and center median to provide wider bicycle facilities.
• No major changes to current sidewalks and landscape buffers.
• Cost: $860,000

Concept B: Protected Bike Lanes (Raised at Sidewalk Level)

• Slight narrowing of the center median and the travel lanes
• Conversion of existing street level bike lanes to raised protected bike lanes.
• No major changes to current sidewalks and landscape buffers.
• Cost: $3.0 million 

North Concepts Considerations Matrix

SOUTH CONCEPTS
27th Street between Bear Creek Road and Reed Market Road

Concept A:
Shared Use Path (West Side) and Sidewalk Infill (East Side)

• No roadway widening, generally retains existing roadway pavement width. Converts the west side sidewalk into a shared use path for people walking and bicycling.
• Provides a continuous sidewalk on the east side by filling gaps.
• Cost: $5.3 million 

Concept B:
Sidewalk Infill (West Side) and Shared Use Path (East Side)

• No roadway widening, generally retains existing roadway pavement width. Converts the east side sidewalk into a shared use path for people walking and bicycling.
• Provides a continuous sidewalk on the west side by filling gaps.
• Cost: $5.0 million

South Concepts Considerations Matrix

27th Street Roll Plots

• 27th Street Roll Plot – Concept A 
• 27th Street Roll Plot – Concept B

The City hosted a Preconstruction Information Booth on May 29, 2025.

City staff will be available to describe elements of the project, including what to expect during construction and how access to the area will be impacted. Community members are invited to stop by to ask questions and learn more about the construction project. 

This open house and comment form was open June 14 – 28, 2024. However, you are welcome to browse the information below.

The online informational open house includes:

• Design update for the Bear Creek Road and 27th Street key routes and roundabout improvements 
• Results from the December 2023 Online Community Open House Survey
• Project schedule update
• Opportunity to share comments with the project team June 14-28, 2024
• Project flyer

Click on the tabs below in any order to browse the open house exhibits and information.
 

Key Definitions 

• Shared Use Path (SUP): A type of trail or sidewalk providing off-road routes for a variety of users. The primary users of shared use paths are bicyclists and pedestrians, including pedestrians using mobility devices such as manual or motorized wheelchairs.
• Buffered Bike Lane: A typical bicycle lane paired with a designated buffer space separating the bicycle lane from the adjacent motor vehicle travel lane (NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, 2014).
• Enhanced Crossing: An enhanced crossing typically includes a marked crosswalk with one or more of the following safety features: a pedestrian refuge island, pedestrian crossing signage, and a street light to improve safety.
• Stretch Goals: Potential additions to the Project that will be added if and when funding is available. Additions may include filling existing sidewalk gaps, lighting, enhanced crossings, and roadway striping. 

• Key Routes: Link to more information.

(CLICK TABS TO OPEN CONTENT BELOW)

Thank you December open house and survey participants! 

We are committed to listening to community members early in the process and identifying the options that meet the City’s goals and optimize limited funding. The December 2023 open house and survey informed community members of potential improvement designs and gathered community feedback with an online survey. In total, 262 survey responses were received; however, not every respondent answered each question. Below is a summary of the survey results.

• How often do survey participants travel through Bear Creek Road and 27th Street?
  The overwhelming majority indicated survey participants use both routes daily. Specifically, 82.3 percent use Bear Creek Road daily, and 68.5 percent use 27th Street daily. Responses relating to the use of both streets were equal, primarily on weekdays. Bear Creek Road was slightly more heavily utilized by respondents who primarily traveled on weekends. 
  
• What mode of travel do survey participants use on Bear Creek Road and 27th Street? 
  Survey participants travel on both routes using a variety of modes. Overwhelmingly, driving was the most common mode used, with 94.3 percent of respondents reporting driving on Bear Creek Road and 89.3 percent driving on 27th Street. Biking on Bear Creek Road was also cited as a popular travel mode used by 32.2 percent of respondents. Biking was less common on 27th Street but still significant, as it was cited by 19.9 percent of respondents. 
  
• What best describes survey participants? 
  77.4 percent of survey participants reported traveling in the project area because they live near it. The second most cited reason is traveling to recreational destinations; business and employment-related uses were the third and fourth most cited reasons.
  
• How well do Bear Creek Road and 27th Street serve the community’s travel needs today? 
  We asked survey participants to rate their assessment of how well the roads serve their current travel needs on a 1 – 5 scale, with 1 indicating “does not meet travel needs” and 5 indicating “serves travel needs well.” 43.5 percent rated the streets with a 1 or a 2—the lowest ratings. 29.3 percent rated the streets as a 4 or 5—the highest possible scores. The remaining 27.2 percent gave the streets a 3 or average rating. Some specific concerns about the project area were the absence of protected paths, vehicle speeds, and problematic intersections, including Bear Creek Road and Pettigrew Road.
  
• Survey participant’s ranking of considerations of the corridor from least impactful to most impactful. 
  66.1 percent of participants prioritized safety as the most important consideration, the second most important consideration cited by 47.8 percent of respondents was comfort level for roadway users. The third most important consideration was cost, with the least important being the impact on adjacent properties. 
  
• Which concept most appealed to the survey participants on Bear Creek Road between Cessna Drive and the East Urban Growth Boundary?
  • Concept A – Shared Use Path on North Side.
  • Concept B – Shared Use Paths on Both Sides.
  • Concept C – Raised Protected Bike Lanes with Sidewalks or Shared Use Paths on Both Sides.

   
  42.1 percent favored Concept C, 23.6 percent preferred Concept A, and 22.1 percent favored Concept B. 12.2 percent selected ‘other’ and specified alternatives. 

  Some reoccurring themes shared by participants included:

• The need to allocate funds for enhanced crosswalks.
• The importance of keeping bike lanes separated from vehicle travel lanes.
• Balancing the needs of bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers.
• Some were opposed to the project and favored preserving the existing infrastructure or addressing other priorities.

• Stretch Goal #2: Which concept most appealed to survey participants on 27th Street between U.S. 20 and Bear Creek Road? 
  • Concept A – Buffered Bike Lanes (at Street Level).
  • Concept B – Protected Bike Lanes (Raised at Sidewalk Level).

55.6 percent of respondents favored Concept B, and 34.2 percent preferred Concept A. 10.3 percent selected ‘other’ and specified alternatives.

Some reoccurring themes shared by participants included:

• Concerns about the adequacy of buffered bike lanes with some suggesting placing a buffer between bike lanes and cars.
• The need to carefully evaluate the intersection with U.S. 20 and consider seeking ODOT funding.
• Opinions varied on the need for bike paths—some felt strongly about including them, while others thought they were not a priority compared to other needs.
• There was a reoccurring emphasis on cost considerations, safety, and a need for the city to balance the needs of drivers and non-drivers while also planning for the city’s continued growth.

• Which concept most appealed to survey participants on 27th Street between Bear Creek Road and Reed Market Road? 
  • Concept A – Shared Use Path (West Side) and Stretch Goal #1: Sidewalk Infill (East Side).
  • Concept B – Shared Use Path (East Side) and Stretch Goal #1: Sidewalk Infill (West Side).

  44.4 percent favored Concept A, and 28 percent preferred Concept B. 27.6 percent selected ‘other’ and specified alternatives.

  Common themes included: 

  •  A desire to maintain or extend existing bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides to emphasize the importance of pedestrian and bicyclist safety. 
  • Some advocated adding a center turn lane to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance safety at intersections. 
  • Raised and protected bike lanes received substantial support.
  • Ensuring the changes accommodate existing and projected future demands resulting from Bend’s continued population growth.

• Stretch Goal #3: Where do community members want to see more comfortable pedestrian crossings along Bear Creek Road / 27th Street? 

Several locations were frequently cited by respondents, including:

• Bear Creek Road – 25.4 percent.
• 27th Street – 21.4 percent.
• Dean Swift Road – 13.9 percent.
• Cessna Road – 11 percent.
• Purcell Road – 7 percent.

In additional to the commonly cited locations above, there were some overarching themes, including the desire for crossings with enhanced safety features at school bus stops, intersections with high pedestrian activity, and areas with new housing developments. Some often-cited safety enhancements people would like to see are flashing lights, designated pedestrian refuges, and raised mid-block crossings. Overall, the comments emphasized the importance of improving pedestrian infrastructure to enhance safety and improve local connectivity.

• Roadway features that community members feel are most important. 
  Community members were asked to rank specific roadway features presented in the various concepts from 1 to 6, with 1 indicating the most important and 6 indicating the least important. Of the 243 responses received, the roadway features ranked in order of importance were:
  1. Shared use path for bicyclists and pedestrians on both sides.
  2. Filling sidewalk gaps.
  3. Protected bike lanes.
  4. Shared use path for bicyclists and pedestrians on one side.
  5. Raised crossings for bicyclists and pedestrians on side streets.
  6. On-street bike lanes.

• What adjustments (if any) would community members make to any of the concepts? 
  Most community members expressed a desire for safer roads that effectively accommodate motorists and non-motorists. They believe that keeping roads at 11-feet wide helps control speeding, and some would like roundabouts to be safer for bicyclists. Many people would like a consistent road design with bike lanes and sidewalks from U.S. 20 to Reed Market Road to make it easier and safer for people who do not drive. Some suggestions included adding bike lanes on both sides of 27th Street, and addressing some specific neighborhood issues, such as reducing speeding by installing cameras, and improving local intersections to improve safety. 

Stretch Goals are additions to the project that will be added if and when funding is available.

1. Sidewalk Infill (East Side): 27th Street Key Route (from Bear Creek Road to Reed Market Road)
   Benefits: Project would use existing sidewalk segments; future potential to widen existing east side sidewalk to create shared use path (in lieu of removing sidewalk and constructing a new path altogether).

2. Striping Enhancements: 27th Street Key Route (from US 20 to Bear Creek Road)
   Benefits: As improvements would primarily consist of roadway striping and potential pedestrian crossing enhancements. Improvements will leverage existing sidewalks, landscape buffers and other infrastructure behind the curbs. Construction-related impacts to both traffic and adjacent properties are anticipated to be minimal, while ongoing maintenance requirements are not expected to differ from current needs.
   

3. Enhanced Crossings along Key Routes Bear Creek and 27th Street.
   Benefits: At the following crossings, the project would increase safety with additional lighting, signing, striping and pedestrian refuge islands (27th St only).

• Bear Creek Road and Dean Swift
• 27th Street and Copperfield Avenue
• 27th Street and Clairaway Avenue

Open House and Survey – December 2023

The City held an in person open house on Dec.19, 2023 and an online open house and survey December 12 through December 26, 2023 to receive community input on potential design concepts early in the design process. The survey is now closed. However, feel free to browse through the open house information below. Click on the location tabs to review the design concepts, budget amounts and estimated costs.

• Open House Flyer (Spanish)

Key Definitions 

• Shared use paths (SUP) are a type of trail designed to be part of a transportation system, providing off-road routes for a variety of users. The primary users of shared use paths are bicyclists and pedestrians, including pedestrians using mobility devices such as manual or motorized wheelchairs (NACTO, 2011).

• Buffered bike lanes are typical bicycle lanes paired with a designated buffer space separating the bicycle lane from the adjacent motor vehicle travel lane (NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, 2014).

This survey is closed.

The survey was open from December 12 through December 26, 2023.

How to stay involved

Sign up to received project updates by submitting your email address below, then select Bear Creek and 27th from the list.