Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTV) — The city of Bend had some good news for Bend drivers Monday ahead of the big holiday weekend: Portland Avenue and the intersection of Wall Street and Olney Avenue, closed for months for construction projects, will reopen to traffic on Friday.
But it’s limited good news: The city says Olney Avenue (east of Wall Street to NE Second Street) will remain closed through fall as water, sewer and roadway improvement work continues.
Three projects synchronized schedules to condense and minimize construction impacts in the area, officials said in their announcement.
They include the Olney Avenue Improvement Project, which is replacing the aging water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure, upgrading the roadway and retrofitting intersections to make it safer for all users of the road; the West Side Pump Station Project which provides needed electrical and sewer pump station improvements; and the Awbrey Waterline Project, which provides water distribution system upgrades and includes Portland Avenue roadway safety improvements.
Projects Overview
In addition to reconstructing Portland Avenue and the Wall Street and Olney Avenue intersection, these projects include the following improvements:
Olney Avenue Improvements Project:
Olney Avenue and Wall Street Intersection
The Olney Avenue improvements for new bike lanes and sidewalks tie back to Olney Avenue being identified as one of 12 “Key Walking and Biking Routes” in the City’s Transportation System Plan. These routes are designed to be the safest walking and biking routes in Bend with the highest amount of protection for users from vehicles.
The Olney Avenue and Wall Street intersection has been retrofitted with the following safety improvements:
Cyclist and pedestrian movements are intuitive at crossing locations, each user has a defined space
Crossing distances are shortened for people walking and biking
Shared space is wider between pedestrians and bicyclists
Vehicles and cyclists face each other at a 90-degree angle at the conflict point
Corner islands provide a natural slowing of vehicles and cyclists to less than 20 mph
Lighting, striping, and signing improvements, including bike signal detection, to increase visibility
Water lines along Olney Avenue
Most of the existing main water lines along this section of Olney Avenue were installed in the 1950s and are made from cast iron pipe, ranging in size from 8 inches to 12 inches. The main water line will be upgraded to an 18-inch ductile iron pipe. The project will install 2,500 linear feet of water pipe, including a section under the railroad. Ductile iron pipes have increased durability and life expectancy compared to cast iron pipes. Replacement of waterline work is essential to prevent future pipe ruptures, create a flexible water system for emergency response, support Bend’s growth and meet updated fire flow requirements.
Sewer lines along Olney Avenue
Most of the existing main sewer lines along this section of Olney Avenue were installed in the 1970s. The project will install 2,000 linear feet of sewer pipe, including a section under the railroad. The project will shorten the City’s sewer force main line as well as upsize the sewer gravity main line to support the growing demands on Bend’s sewer system.
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of fall 2025
Westside Pump Station Project:
Electrical and pump improvements at the Westside Pump Station
Awbrey Waterline Improvements Project:
Waterline Installation
The project includes the installation of approximately 4.25 miles of new pipeline with pipe sizes ranging from six to 30 inches in diameter. Spanning from Mt. Washington Drive to Portland Avenue Bridge, these upgrades represent a significant investment in Bend’s long-term infrastructure needs.
New Awbrey Transmission Line and Valve Building
The new transmission line enhances water flow efficiency, ensuring consistent pressure and supply across the city, while also increasing capacity to support future growth and improve fire protection. Major upgrades to pressure and flow control valves at the Awbrey Reservoir, along with a new valve building designed to accommodate future in-conduit hydroelectric power generation and the integration of state-of-the-art electronics for improved monitoring, further strengthen the resiliency of Bend’s water system.
Synergy Projects and Coordinated Improvements
In coordination with the Awbrey Butte Waterline Improvement Project, the City implemented several infrastructure upgrades to maximize efficiency and minimize disruptions to the community. These synergy projects included:
Installation of 1,500 feet of new 15-inch sewer main along Shevlin Park Road.
Stormwater improvements along College Way, Saginaw Avenue, Juniper Street, and Portland Avenue as part of the South Awbrey Butte Drainage Project.
Street improvements funded through the Portland Avenue GO Bond Project include buffered bike lanes west of Ninth Street, updated signage, striping, and lighting for safer travel and ADA upgrades. Sidewalk improvements on the south side of Portland Avenue, from Fifth to Sixth Streets and from Fifth to Third Streets, were also included, with installation completed as budget allowed.
Construction will be completed by the end of May 2025.
Get Updates
Stay updated on construction impacts by signing up for emails – select “Weekly Road and Traffic Reports”
For more information about the upcoming work on this and other projects, please visit our website, bendoregon.gov/bendprojects.
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