Awbrey Butte Waterline Improvement Project – October 18, 2023

The Awbrey Butte Waterline Improvement Project will improve Bend’s ability to deliver water across the City and increase the system’s resiliency and reliability by installing approximately 4.25 miles of pipeline. 

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Construction Activities – Through October

Awbrey Road, Vicksburg Avenue, and Utica Avenue were paved and striped earlier this month. The remaining work for the first subproject consists of minor landscaping adjustments and general cleanup of the area. No additional significant traffic impacts are anticipated for the Subproject 1 work area.  

PROJECT UPDATE – OCTOBER 2023 

Phase 1

Construction of Phase 1 improvements began in early June and is expected to be completed in March 2024. This phase includes three subprojects that are being constructed in stages to minimize traffic impacts. Work along Quincy Avenue (Subproject 3) and Palisades Drive (Subproject 6) have tentatively been removed from the construction schedule to re-evaluate priorities. 

Subproject 1 (Awbrey Road Waterline) work will be completed on schedule later this month. Those improvements include 2,410 feet of new upsized 8-inch pipe along portions of NW Awbrey Road, NW Vicksburg Avenue, NW Utica Avenue, and NW Second Street.  

UPCOMING IMPROVEMENTS – Subprojects 4 & 5  

Beginning the week of October 30, and lasting for up to four weeks, there will be a change to the traffic pattern at the intersection of NW Ogden Avenue & NW 10th Street. Eastbound and westbound traffic will be stop-controlled to let northbound and southbound traffic flow uninterrupted from NW Portland Avenue to NW Newport Avenue.  

Segments of “No Parking” along NW 10th Street between NW Portland Avenue and NW Newport Avenue will be in place for safety precautions. No parking signs will be posted in advance. This temporary restriction is necessary as part of the Awbrey Butte Waterline Improvement Project. 

Key Information:  

• Traffic Change: Eastbound and westbound traffic will be stop-controlled at the intersection of NW Ogden Ave & NW 10th Street to let northbound and southbound traffic flow uninterrupted from NW Portland Avenue to NW Newport Avenue. 
• No Parking Areas: Please be aware of the designated “No Parking” zones along NW 10th Street. These areas will be clearly marked with appropriate signage. 
• Driveways: Access to driveways will be maintained, so residents and businesses can continue to use their driveways without disruption. 
• Towing Policy: Vehicles parked in the street segments noted as “No Parking” may be subject to towing at the owner’s expense. 
• Service Continuity: Essential services such as Emergency Medical Services (EMS), garbage collection, mail delivery, and other municipal services will be maintained as usual throughout this period.   

SUBPROJECT 4: Awbrey Reservoir Outlet Transmission Upsize.
November 2023-December 2023  

Improvements include 320 feet of new upsized 24-inch pipe from Awbrey Reservoir outlet to connect to 24-inch in Ninth Street. 

SUBPROJECT 5: Awbrey Butte Pipe Distribution Improvements.
October 30, 2023-January 2024*

Improvements include replacing 2,260 feet of existing 24-inch pipe along Ninth Street between NW Newport Avenue and Awbrey Reservoir. Periodic restoration work planned through March 2024. 

We’re committed to limiting construction impacts on neighbors and community members. Our construction management plan includes minimizing impacts from traffic, noise, dust, and other construction concerns. 

Construction will generally occur Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours and weekends (as needed and on a very limited basis). Any work that includes crossing driveways will be coordinated with residents one day prior to commencing work and again on the day of work before being impacted. Emergency Medical Services, mail, garbage, and delivery services will have continued access. 

If there is a planned shutdown of the water service that will impact your property, you will be notified ahead of time. If there are delays to the schedule, a project representative will be on-site and will attempt to notify you.

The construction is taking place within the Public Right-Of-Way. Please visit the project website to learn more about public Right-Of-Way.  

PHASE 2

Phase 2 waterline and sewer main construction work is expected to begin this winter in Shevlin Park Road and within the Public Right of Way. This work includes trenched construction with rock excavation, pipe, fittings, valves, water meters, and surface restoration. View Phase 2 improvements below. 

Portland Avenue Project 

NW Portland Avenue serves as a key east-west route for people walking, biking, and driving across the west side of Bend (from the Central Oregon Community College area to across the Deschutes River.) 

PROJECT GOALS 

• Safe crossings at key intersections 
• Continuous sidewalks 
• Intersection safety 
• Vehicle speed reduction
• Better connectivity for neighborhoods and destinations 

The City of Bend will host an online informational meeting in November to share the preliminary design of suggested improvements on Portland Avenue.  

You can monitor current and upcoming detours and closures at bendoregon.gov/traffic

For additional information, Subproject details, or to sign up for regular project updates for the Awbrey Butte Waterline Improvement Project, please visit: bendoregon.gov/awbrey-waterline.  

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

• Project Phone Line: 541-382-3264
• Project Email: awbreywaterline@bendoregon.gov
• Project Website:  www.bendoregon.gov/awbrey-waterline
• Project Contacts:
  • Austin Somhegyi, Project Engineer
  • ShanRae Hawkins, Public Involvement Coordinator