Newport Corridor Improvements Project Update – May 6, 2022

SAFETY FIRST

May is bike safety month, and with nicer weather, more people are outside riding bikes. In Oregon traffic law, bicycles are considered “vehicles” and need to abide by the same rules as a vehicle would. People who ride bikes and people who drive cars need to share our roadways by obeying the traffic laws, respecting each other’s rights, and being courteous to all people using the roads. We are all people getting to the places we want to go.

Cascade Natural Gas will be performing work on Newport Avenue between Knoxville Boulevard and 14^th Street over the upcoming weeks. Be prepared for flagging and lane shifts.

DID YOU KNOW?!

Newport Avenue of today was defined by Bend’s growth between 1905 and 1925. The map below combines surveys taken in 1920 and 1928, meaning Newport Avenue has maintained its current alignment for over 100 years. Since the Newport Avenue Project began, pedestrian safety has been improved for the first time ever by installing 350 feet of missing sidewalk between College Way and Juniper Street and moving the sidewalk away from the back of the curb.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE FOR MAY 5 – MAY 12

Newport Corridor Improvements Scheduled Construction – Segment 5 (Juniper Street to College Way) 

• Landscaping will continue near sidewalks and planters.

Newport Corridor Improvements Scheduled Construction – Segment 2B (10^th Street through 12^th Street Intersection)

• Continue replacement of the water mainline.
• Testing of sewer system and completion of replacement.
• Backfill the stormwater planter excavation. 

DETOURS IN EFFECT

Traffic Closures and Changes

• Newport Avenue, west of 10^th Street to the 12^th Street intersection, is closed.
• 11^th Street, north and south of Newport Avenue, will be local access only.

Access to all businesses along Newport Avenue will be open through construction. 

Temporary Pedestrian Accessibility Route for Segment 2B Construction

If headed eastbound on Newport Avenue:

• At the east side of 12^th Street, head southbound to Milwaukee Avenue. 
• Turn left on the north side of Milwaukee Avenue to travel eastbound. 
• Cross 11^th Street and continue to the west side of 10^th Street
• Turn left on 10^th Street to travel north to Newport Avenue
• Turn right on Newport Avenue, crossing 10^th Street to continue traveling eastbound.

If headed westbound on Newport Avenue:

• At the west side of 10^th Street, head south to Milwaukee Avenue. 
• Turn right to travel west down the northside of Milwaukee Avenue.
• Cross 11^th Street and continue on Milwaukee Avenue to 12^th Street. 
• At the west side of 12^th Street, turn right to travel northbound to get back onto Newport Avenue and turn left to continue traveling westbound.

GENERAL PROJECT NOTES

• Access to all area businesses along the construction corridor will be maintained.
• Please do not enter the construction zone before, during, or after hours.
• Daytime work hours are in effect from 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM.
• The ‘Tree Preservation and Removal Overview Exhibits’ can be found on the project website. These exhibits provide design details about each tree being removed and where new trees will be planted.
• There are many construction projects in the area and throughout the City of Bend. Travel safely.

PROJECT COMMUNICATIONS

• EMS, buses, and other delivery/service providers have been included in the project updates distribution list.
• Please help us spread the word to your clients, customers, and delivery personnel regarding detouring and closures.
• Share the project website (provided below), where others can also sign up for project updates.
• Please contact the project team if you are not the correct contact for your organization or if others need to be included.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

Project Website: https://www.bendoregon.gov/newportimprovements

24-Hour Construction Phone Line: 541-200-6972

Project Contacts: 

Brittany Barker, PE – City of Bend Principal Engineer – bbarker@bendoregon.gov

Peter Guth, Project Public Involvement Coordinator – pguth@dowl.com or 548-256-6007