City of Bend seeks public feedback on planned cycling, walking upgrades along Boyd Acres, Butler Market roads

(Update: Adding video,comments from city of Bend, Commute Options)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The city of Bend is looking for public feedback on plans to add bike lanes to two major corridors in the northeast part of the city -- Butler Market and Boyd Acres roads -- and upgrades for walkers as well.

The project is part of the city's transportation plan, focusing on key walking and biking routes.

"Butler Market Road -- the key route would would connect between Boyd Acres and in Purcell (Boulevard), potentially to provide a continuous improvement," city Principal Engineer George Franklet said Thursday. "And then the Boyd Acres route provides connectivity to the businesses primarily along Boyd Acres Road."

Commute Options is a nonprofit in Bend with a mission to provide access to options for getting around the area that doesn't mean having to drive. 

 Executive Director Brian Potwin said, "If you know Bend, those are some of the major corridors heading to the northeast of our area, and it connects in schools, parks, businesses and neighborhoods."

On Butler Market and Boyd Acres roads, there are gaps in the sidewalks, making it difficult for people walking, or those with limited mobility. 

Franklet said, "It can be anywhere from as simple as closing a gap in a sidewalk, so that people don't have to walk on the dirt or walk into the street to get across a particular route, to something that provides a continuous route for either bikes or pedestrians separate from the street."

There are three potential alternatives for each route. For Butler Market Road, there's an option for a buffered bike lane with wider sidewalks, separated bike lanes and wider sidewalks, or a separated cycle track with two-way bike and pedestrian shared use.

The same alternatives are being considered for Boyd Acres, and the city of Bend is looking to the community for feedback. You can weigh in on the city's website for a few more week. 

The online open house and community survey, where the community can share feedback about design alternatives, is available through May 22 at bendoregon.gov/boyd-butler.

Potwin added, "We at Commute Options are excited about the Boyd Acres and Butler Market project."