Bend’s Hawthorne Crossing bridge moves forward with new design and $32M in funding
Tracee Tuesday
(adding additional information; adding video)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A long-anticipated bridge project aimed at connecting Bend’s east and west sides is moving into its next stage. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is now taking the lead on the Hawthorne Crossing — a planned bridge over Highway 97 that city officials say will make it easier and safer for people to travel through the city.
After months of public outreach and design discussions, the City of Bend settled on a final concept for the bridge: a truss-style design that balances cost and aesthetics.
“It’s definitely a truss design, which is more affordable than the previous concept we explored,” said City Engineer Ryan Oster. “And I think it’s more of a ‘Three Sisters’ compared to a ‘Broken Top.’ Those are just naming conventions people have come up with to describe it.”
The $32 million project is primarily funded by state and federal grants — totaling $31 million — with another $1 million coming from Bend’s 2020 transportation bond, approved by voters.
While much of the early focus centered on the bridge structure itself, city planners are now turning their attention to how the bridge will blend into surrounding neighborhoods.
“A lot of the focus and discussion now is really about the landings — what it’s going to look like next to the bridge and as you come off of it into the environment there,” Oster said.
Those landings are being designed to connect seamlessly with nearby streets, paths, and transit networks. Once complete, city leaders say, the bridge will create a safer and more efficient route across Highway 97 — not just for drivers, but for cyclists and pedestrians, too.
City Council members will receive a detailed update on the Hawthorne Crossing’s design, funding, and next steps during a work session Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Bend City Hall.