For Immediate Release             

Date:  August 13, 2018

From: Anne Aurand
Communications Director
541-388-5573, aaurand@bendoregon.gov

Contact: Sinclair Burr

Project Engineer

541-330-4018, sburr@bendoregon.gov

The public is invited to attend an upcoming Open House to learn more about the Empire Corridor improvement project and what will happen during construction.

The Empire Corridor project is a City priority that will greatly improve safety, multi-modal transportation options, access and connectivity for the neighborhood and the traveling public. The first phase of the project breaks ground in early September. Empire Avenue will be closed between NE 18^th Street and NE Purcell Boulevard.

Open House options on Monday, August 20, 2018:

10 Barrel East

62950 NE 18^th, Bend

10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

(or)

Combined Communications (at 18th & Empire roundabout)

63088 NE 18^th, Bend

5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Drop in whichever Open House is most convenient. Project leaders will outline the project and answer questions.

Phase 1, which starts in September and is expected to take about nine months to complete, will include:

• a roundabout at Empire Avenue and Purcell Boulevard
• reconstruction of Empire Avenue between 18^th Street and Purcell Boulevard

During this phase, sections of Empire and Purcell will be closed temporarily but local access to area homes, parks, schools and businesses will remain open.

Phase 2 includes:

• extension of Empire to 27^th Street and Butler Market Road
• a new roundabout at 27^th and Butler Market Road
• modernization of Purcell Boulevard between Empire Avenue and Butler Market Road

Phase 2 construction is expected to be completed by 2021.

Stay up to date on the project at www.bendoregon.gov/empire.