Neff & Purcell Improvements Project - COMPLETE

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Neff Purcell Intersection Improvements include three new turn lanes, bike lane improvements and sidewalk improvements

The new, improved intersection added separate left-turn lanes, new southbound and westbound right-turn lanes, wider shared-use paths, street lighting, accessible curb ramps, and missing gaps of sidewalk to create a continuous pedestrian corridor. It also includes new options for people riding bikes to get off the street easily to use shared-use paths and crosswalks at the intersection, similar to roundabouts.

In addition to the intersection, the project includes a complete, modernized Purcell Boulevard from Full Moon Drive to Courtney Drive, including widening the roadway, building sidewalks, and adding bike lanes on Purcell Boulevard, between Butler Market Road and Robinson Street.

NEFF AND PURCELL INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS -COMPLETE

The previous traffic signal at the Neff and Purcell intersection was regularly over-capacity and needed replacement. With proximity to the St. Charles Medical Center and multiple schools, increasing the capacity of this intersection for all modes of travel was a priority for the City. (See graphic above)

PURCELL EXTENSION - COMPLETE
In 2021, the Transportation GO Bond Oversight Committee approved the Purcell Boulevard extension as a high priority, and it was added to the Neff/Purcell intersection project. The extension of the roadway fully connects Purcell Boulevard between Holliday Avenue and Courtney Drive, completing a vital north-south connection. (See design information below)

PURCELL BIKE LANE STRIPING - COMPLETE
In coordination with the project improvements, the City’s Transportation and Mobility Department completed striping for on-street bike lanes on Purcell Boulevard, from NE Butler Market Road to NE Robinson Street.

MEETING DATES

The meeting information and exhibits are available below.

Pre-Construction Information Public Meeting - February 2, 2023
Open House - November 17, 2022
Neff and Purcell Intersection Design Open House - October 29, 2018

Neff & Purcell Intersection Improvements

The traffic signal at the Neff and Purcell intersection was regularly over-capacity and needed replacement. With its proximity to the St. Charles Medical Center and multiple schools, increasing the capacity of this intersection was a priority for the City. In addition to capacity upgrades, the intersection needed sidewalks along the north side of Neff Road, where gaps existed. The entire intersection was also leveled to provide ADA compliant crossings. On December 21, 2022, City Council approved funding for intersection bicycle improvements that are currently in design. The graphic below does not include the pending additional bicycle improvement designs.

This portion of the project is funded by the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)

Background

The temporary signal was past its intended lifespan
The traffic signal was approaching capacity and had long queues which was leading to safety issues
Ongoing safety concerns at the signal
Noted in the Transportation System Plan as a high-frequency crash site
Identified by ODOT Safety Priority Index System as a top 10% crash site state-wide
Cited by a City study as a hotspot for crash trends
Nearby schools and hospital made the improvements at this intersection especially important

Neff & Purcell Intersection FAQs

Neff/Purcell Intersection Frequently Asked Questions

Why are we doing the Neff and Purcell Intersection Improvements?
The Neff and Purcell Intersection improvements is a priority transportation project that addresses the capacity, efficiency and safety issues at the intersection. The existing signal at the Neff and Purcell intersection is regularly over-capacity and the signal equipment has surpassed its intended lifespan.
What Traffic impacts can I expect during construction of the intersection?
The Neff and Purcell intersection will be fully closed starting February 22. A Detour will be implemented. Expect significant traffic impacts, sign up for project updates, and please plan for detours and extra travel time.
Why is the Neff/Purcell intersection being completely closed until construction is complete?
The safest, most efficient and fastest way to complete the improvements is to close the intersection during construction. This due to a unique combination of (1) having a significant slope that must be raised by six feet on the east end, (2) deep trench work on sewer pipes up to 20-feet below the surface and (3) a very limited right-of-way area to work within. These elements contribute to a much longer closure than a more typical signal upgrade.
Will improvements include bike lanes?
Yes. Two of the bike lanes require sharing a lane prior to the signal, however similar to roundabouts, there is also the option for bicyclists to exit the roadway prior to the intersection and use the shared use path being installed at each corner of the intersection.
Will there be pedestrian improvements?
Crosswalks will be reestablished at the Neff and Purcell intersection. Entire intersection is being leveled to provide ADA compliant crossings.

The Purcell Extension Details + FAQs

Aerial Map of the Purcell Extension showing sidewalks and landscape areas The Purcell Boulevard Extension will fully connect Purcell Boulevard between Holliday Avenue and Courtney Drive. This phase of the project will also include construction of sidewalks along both sides of Purcell Boulevard between Holliday Avenue and Moonlight Road, where gaps currently exist.

The Purcell Boulevard Extension is funded by the Transportation GO Bond - Thank you voters!

PROPOSED DESIGN

The proposed design of the Purcell Extension includes sidewalks, parking and bike lanes on both sides of the travel lanes (see image below). Proposed cross section of Purcell Extension

The proposed modernization of the existing section of Purcell Boulevard from Full Moon Drive to the new extension includes sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of the travel lanes with parking on the east side only (see image below). Proposed cross section of Purcell modernization of the existing section between Full Moon Dr. and the new extension.

Questions & Answers for the Purcell Extension

Why are we doing the Purcell Extension?

The project has been amended to include phase one - the Purcell Extension, constructing the missing 1000 foot section of Purcell Blvd. The extension was a priority the City of Bend’s Transportation Bond Oversight Committee (TBOC) and Mountain View Neighborhood Association. The extension will increase access to the hospital and will reduce cut-through traffic on the surrounding local streets.
Will there be bike lanes?
Yes, 6-foot parking-protected, buffered bike lanes will be added on the extension portion of the project. Existing Purcell Blvd. from Neff Road north to the current terminus will be striped for buffered bike lanes.
Will there be pedestrian improvements?
Yes, there will be 6 foot to 8 foot sidewalks along Purcell Blvd. From Full Moon Drive to Courtney Drive. Crosswalks will also be added to the following intersections:
a) Purcell and Courtney
b) Full Moon and Purcell
What traffic impacts are expected during construction?
For the construction of the Purcell Extension there will be local impacts to traffic.
Will there be permanent impacts to parking along Purcell?
There is limited space on the existing section of roadway. To be able to have continuous bike lanes from Hwy 20 (Greenwood Avenue) to the northern intersection of Holiday and Purcell, on-street parking will no longer be allowed on this section of Purcell.
What does “modernization” of the existing roadway include?
The modernization the existing section of Purcell Boulevard from Full Moon Drive to the new extension includes the following: (see graphic above)
a) Constructing ADA compliant 6-foot sidewalks on each side of the road.
b) Parking lane on the east side of Purcell Blvd
c) buffered bike lanes
d) ADA compliant crossings with illumination.
What modern improvements does the new extension portion include?
The roadway extension will include: (see Extension graphic above)
a) Constructing ADA compliant 8-foot sidewalks on both sides of the road
b) parking bays on both sides of the road
c buffered bike lanes
d) ADA compliant crossing with illumination

Purcell Bicycle Striping

In Coordination with the above improvements, the City’s Transportation and Mobility Department will be adding striping for on-street bike lanes from NE Butler Market Road to NE Robinson Street. Striping of these bike lanes will result in parking no longer being allowed along Purcell Boulevard within this stretch of roadway.

The Purcell bike lanes will be designed to create safe routes to school for students who go to Ponderosa, Ensworth, Mountain View, St. Francis and Trinity Lutheran schools. Connecting the bike lanes where they are currently missing on Purcell between Butler Market and Neff Road increases the value of the entire bicycling network by increasing the number of homes and destinations served.

Why the change?

Because Purcell Boulevard is classified as a collector road, it is intended to collect traffic from local streets and connect roadway users to the next highest classification of street, an arterial road such as Butler Market, Neff Road, etc. In alignment with the goals established by Bend’s Transportation System Plan (TSP) and Transportation Bond Oversight Committee (TBOC).

The extension and planned bike lanes will provide inclusive north and south connectivity for members of the Mountain View Neighborhood, ensures that these improvements will be done with intent to provide a safer corridor for pedestrians and cyclist, and will help improve congestion in eastern Bend.

Making connections

The City uses road construction projects to connect people to other people and places in a safe, efficient manner. This project adds buffered and separated bike lanes and crosswalks at key locations to make it easier to walk and ride a bike for short trips that are less than 15-minutes to positively impact congestion, air pollution and noise pollution within the neighborhoods. Half of all trips in our community are those short trips that can readily be made by walking/bicycling, particularly when the walking and bicycling facilities are well-connected, easy to use and meet the comfort needs for a variety of people.

November 17, 2022 Open House Exhibits

This open house concluded on November 17, 2022. Feel free to browse through the information and exhibits below.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Neff and Purcell Improvements Project is a high-priority project providing both north-south connectivity and improving safety and capacity in a vital area of Bend. The project includes three areas of improvements and incorporates infrastructure for all modes of travel.

The Neff and Purcell intersection improvements addresses capacity, efficiency and safety issues at the intersection. The entire intersection will also be leveled to provide ADA compliant crossings.
The Purcell Extension will construct the missing section of Purcell Boulevard between Holliday Avenue and Courtney Drive. This portion of the project will also include construction of sidewalks along both sides of Purcell Boulevard between Holliday Avenue and Full Moon Drive, where gaps currently exist.
The City’s Transportation and Mobility Department will be adding striping for on-street bike lanes on Purcell Boulevard from NE Butler Market Road to NE Robinson Street. Please note: with bike lanes, the width of the existing roadway cannot accommodate parking. (Click tabs below to read more.)

DESIGN EXHIBITS

Roll plot map of the project areas

Neff and Purcell Intersection

The Neff and Purcell intersection improvements address capacity, efficiency and safety issues at the intersection.

The entire intersection will also be leveled to provide ADA compliant crossings.
Neff and Purcell intersection elevation changes

Purcell Extension

The Purcell Extension will construct the missing section of Purcell Boulevard between Holliday Avenue and Courtney Drive.

Purcell Bike Lane Striping

The connection of the bike route along Purcell closes an important gap in the multimodal network in NE Bend and enables residents to travel to the hospital and medical district for jobs and services, as well as shopping areas, schools and regional parks like Pilot Butte State Park. The nearby canal trails and Larkspur Trail allow many more places to now be within reach. Just a 15-minute bike ride reaches downtown and the Deschutes River Trail.