Our community has consistently told City leaders that traffic congestion and neighborhood traffic safety are the top issues the City needs to address. Commuters want to drive to and from work easily and reliably, especially if they travel east to west across town or through bottlenecked intersections. Parents want their kids to walk or ride bikes to schools and parks safely. And people who walk or commute by bike want a network of routes to get across town safely. We all need some assurance we can get there from here in a safe, timely and reliable manner.

The City Council recently took a big step toward reaching real transportation solutions. Councilors agreed to ask voters on the May 19 ballot if they are ready to support up to $190 million of projects that improve traffic flow, forge better east-west connections, unsnarl intersection bottlenecks and enhance neighborhood safety for people who drive, ride bikes and walk, all across the city.

Councilors’ 2019-21 goals called out transportation congestion relief, neighborhood safety and a funding plan as issues to receive the City’s attention. For the last two years, a citywide transportation advisory committee has worked on identifying priority projects and funding sources to address these needs and prepare for future growth. Public meetings, phone surveys, focus groups and an online survey collected more community input over the past year and feedback has been consistent.

The Council agreed on a well-rounded package that improves roads, intersections, and key east-west corridors. Projects include: a Reed Market Road railroad overcrossing, Murphy Road and other U.S. 97/Parkway on/off ramps, intersections at Third Street, Olney Avenue, Revere Avenue, Butler Market Road, Empire Avenue, Wilson Avenue, completing missing road networks to improve traffic flow, transit roadway improvements that include bus pull-outs and funding for projects that improve efficiency.

Neighborhood safety improvements include filling in missing sidewalks and safe crossings near schools, parks and jobs. Building a connected cross-town bike and walking network along key routes will make things much safer for those who travel on foot or pedal their bikes.

If approved by the voters, these projects would get paid for through bonds, payable from property taxes. If approved, the property tax rate is estimated to increase by 47 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or $170 per year for the average homeowner. (Bend’s average home has a $220,000 assessed value, and $415,000 real market value).

The City of Bend has a good track record with this type of bond-funded construction program. We recently wrapped up the 2011 $30 million voter-approved bond projects on time, within budget.

To further highlight our promise of responsibility and transparency, for the 2020 bond City Council will establish a public oversight committee to track progress and report to the community over the 10-year construction period.

We are excited to have news to share on an issue that’s so important to our community: traffic congestion and neighborhood traffic safety. Council members studied, listened and acted. Now, the solution is in voters’ hands.

The City is coordinating efforts to develop the 500-acre Juniper Ridge in northeast Bend for industrial and employment uses. Construction activities on the site for the North Interceptor Sewer Line Project, which provides additional sewer capacity and improved operations, begin in mid-April.

The City has begun informing people at established campsites on the City-owned property that they need to move from the area within 60 days. This intends to give people time to safely and voluntarily move out of the City-owned property before sewer line construction starts. It also gives the City time to work with social service agencies to identify and secure critical resources for the safety of individuals experiencing homelessness. The recently-adopted public land management policy for Juniper Ridge calls for reasonable notice efforts although state law only requires 24 hours of notice.

Juniper Ridge updates and eNews sign up at: bendoregon.gov/juniperridge.

During the week of March 2-6, the City will test the use of metered signals at the Reed Market/Bond/Brookswood roundabout. Metered signals hold back vehicles on one lane approaching the roundabout to improve traffic flow on another leg that has traffic back-ups. Metering is an innovative and cost-effective approach to addressing delays at an intersection that is nearing capacity. If the pilot test determines that metering reduces delays, Bend will implement a metering system at this location. Metered approaches are expected to improve congestion and public safety in addition to reducing neighborhood cut-through traffic.

Learn more about this pilot project and how metering works here.

The Core Area Project is creating a common vision and implementation plan for the core area of Bend. If you missed the open house tonight, you can still get updated information about the project, including how community input has helped shape the project recommendations, such as forming a new Urban Renewal District, in an online version of the open house.

bendoregon.gov/corearea.

The City Council passed a resolution discouraging people in Bend from feeding deer and wildlife (not including birds). The resolution encourages people to learn about the negative outcomes of feeding deer. Here's the Council resolution. Feeding deer and other wildlife can attract predators that can create risk to people and wildlife, damage to property, and spread disease and parasites. The Council favors this resolution in hopes that increasing awareness of the issues will prevent the need to take a more direct regulatory approach.

Here’s some great Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife information about why you shouldn't feed deer and elk - it is bad for wildlife and neighborhoods.

The Purcell Boulevard Bridge that crosses the North Unit Irrigation District main canal north of NE Butler Market Road and south of Empire Avenue will be closed through April 30 for bridge widening and other necessary improvements associated with the Empire Corridor Improvements Project.

Detour routes for people who drive, walk or ride bikes will be shown at bendoregon.gov/empire.

Ride Bend is a free, on-demand transportation service for anyone living, working, shopping or socializing between downtown, the Old Mill District, OSU-Cascades and Central Oregon Community College. Download the app, save gas, and use Ride Bend instead of driving. The app provides estimated wait times, real-time tracking, and notifications when your Ride Bend arrives. Service is available 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays through March 31. Ride Bend is made possible by the City of Bend, the Mobility Lab at Oregon State University – Cascades, Cascades East Transit and Central Oregon Community College. Ride Bend service can also be arranged by calling (866) 921-8924.

Click here to learn more and download the app.