‘Luckily, I was paying attention’: ODOT’s Bend Hwy. 97/20 North Corridor Project still causing dangerous U-turns

(Update: Adding video, comments from Kefi owner, Redmond resident)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Driver confusion over ODOT's Highway 97 Bend North Corridor Project is still leading to dangerous U-turns. A Redmond resident told us of recently experiencing a scary close call.

The U-turn took Brent Elder by surprise. 

"Luckily, I was paying attention to what was next me, and behind me as well," he said Tuesday. "So I was able to swerve out of the way in an effort to not hit the person."

 Elder said it's become a common occurrence. 

"I've noticed it pretty much almost every day, a half dozen or more people making that illegal U-turn," he said.

While some drivers have figured out how to navigate the many changes to Highway 97, aimed at easing congestion and accommodating growth, some area businesses, like Kefi Mediterranean Fresh, said the changes are bringing reduced revenue and less foot traffic.

Kefi owner Nicolas Stanitsas said, "Business definitely just got worse after the 97 change. Customers have complained a lot about it. If they missed that one exit, then they go halfway to Redmond, or they have to do a U-turn."

He added that the changes also been have affecting his hiring process, causing people to be late to interviews. 

The Bend North Corridor Project has been two years in the making, and is nearly finished.

The project is meant to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety, and connectivity along U.S. Highways 97 and 20. It's expected to be fully completed at the end of the year. 

People going out of their way to support Kefi does not go unnoticed. 

"Thank you so much to all the people that do make an effort to come here," he said. "And all the time, every day someone is saying, like, you know, they saw it on the news or they saw like a Facebook post or an Instagram post about how we've been struggling this year. They go out of the way to come here and support us. That just means the world to us."

ODOT said the permanent signs installation along the route should be complete by the end of this week. You can find more information on the North Corridor project on ODOT's website.