ODOT has several improvements coming to Hwy. 20 between Bend and Tumalo; more traffic shifts, for now

Robal Lane closed Wednesday; one lane of Hwy. 20/Old Bend-Redmond Hwy. roundabout opens Monday

(Update: Adding video, comments from ODOT officials)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Summer is peak construction season, and drivers on Highway 20 are dealing with detours, as they have for months. ODOT says to stay alert for new traffic patterns or work zone staging areas that may remain in place and outlining the next round of traffic changes.

When approaching work zones, they say to remember to slow down and drive cautiously for your safety and for the safety of ODOT crews. All of the upcoming traffic pattern changes and detours are outlined below.

Upcoming Robal Lane closure

Beginning on Wednesday, Robal Lane will be closed to traffic for approximately two months. The detour for access to Robal Lane is as follows:

• turn on Cooley Road
• turn right onto Hunnell Road
• turn on Robal Lane

Bend North Corridor Resident Engineer Zach Davis said, "This project will realign one of the most congested portions of U.S. 97 in Bend and improve a section of U.S. 20."

Community Affairs Coordinator Cody Franz said Wednesday, "Folks that are needing access to Robal Lane will have to go to Cooley to Hunnell (Road), and then onto Robal Lane."

The project will improve intersections and  create new ramp connections for cyclists and pedestrians.

ODOT is also is improving or installing over 50 ADA-compliant curb ramps, and working with Cascades East Transit to build a new transit stop near Target. 

Davis added, "These project improvements will provide the following. It will improve travel-time reliability  in the area, especially in the U.S. 97 portion, reduce traffic volume in  speed in high-conflict locations, and will relieve or aid with congestion." 

The pedestrian crossings will be along two miles of multi-use paths and sidewalks.  

All work is dependent on weather conditions, and schedules are subject to change. Visit the Bend North Corridor website for more detailed information.

Cook Avenue Closed; Temporary Traffic Light Activated

Next Monday, July 10, O.B. Riley Road will open back up to traffic and construction will start on the east side of the two-lane roundabout being built in Tumalo. To keep our crews safe while working in this area, the following detours and closures will be in effect for approximately the next three months:

• Cook Avenue will be closed at the intersection of U.S. 20.
• A temporary traffic signal will be activated at 5th Street to allow access to downtown Tumalo.
• Travelers on U.S. 20 will be unable to make left turns onto Bailey Road or 7th Street. 
  • Travelers can use O.B. Riley Road to Wood Avenue as an alternative.
• 8th Street will be temporarily closed at Cook Avenue.
  • Travelers can use Wharton Avenue as an alternative during some points of construction.
• Large freight vehicles are not allowed to turn at the 5th Street temporary traffic signal.
  • Large freight vehicles can use Old Bend-Redmond Highway to Tumalo Road as an alternative.

Franz said, "We're going to turn on a temporary stoplight at the intersection of Fifth Street and U.S. 20. and folks will be able to take Fifth Street to get down over to Cook Avenue, and that will be closed like I said for approximately two months. At the same time, O.B. Riley Road will be opening back up to traffic."

Roundabout at Old Bend-Redmond and U.S. 20 opens single lane

Also beginning on Monday, July 10, the new two-lane roundabout being constructed at U.S. 20 and Old Bend-Redmond Highway will open a single lane for travelers. The following steps will help you travel safely through a roundabout.

• Slow down as you approach the roundabout. Look for signs to determine where your exit is located.
• Traffic in the roundabout has the right-of-way. Before you enter the roundabout, you must yield to traffic inside and exiting the roundabout. Wait for a gap and merge into traffic. Be prepared to stop if necessary.
• Once inside the roundabout, move around the circle until you reach your exit. Allow bicycles that have merged into traffic the full travel lane and don’t pass.
• Indicate your plan to exit using your right turn signal. Watch for people in the crosswalk and be prepared to stop.

Watch a video by the Federal Highway Administration to learn the rules of the roundabout​. Or read our All About Roundabouts FAQs​. 

All work is dependent on weather conditions, and schedules are subject to change. Visit the U.S. 20: Tumalo – Cooley Road project website for more detailed information.