New traffic signal, crosswalk among plans for Third Street improvements on Bend’s north end

(Update: adding video, new information, comments from ODOT, pedestrian)

ODOT says project not in response to any crashes in area

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Well before Monday night's deadly crash on Highway 20 at Mervin Sampels Road, where a pedestrian was struck and killed, the Oregon Department of Transportation already had a plan in the works to put a traffic signal and crosswalk at that intersection. It's part of the U.S. Highway 20 - Empire to Greenwood avenues improvement project, and construction work will likely begin in the fall.

Peter Murphy, ODOT's Region 4 public information officer, said Tuesday that increased traffic from vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians, as the population grows, has caused severe wear on the road over the years. The $10 million project will address the operational and safety issues on the pavement.

"It's an area of town that's grown over time, and we need to bring it up to speed, really, with the rest of what you'd consider an urban highway setting," Murphy told NewsChannel 21. "That's what this project is going to do."

Among the improvements are pavement repairs, sidewalk and bike lane fixes and ADA-compliant curb ramps. Perhaps the biggest change, though, will be a new traffic signal at Highway 20 and Mervin Sampels Road. A crosswalk will also be added at that intersection -- something that doesn't exist for more than a half-mile stretch on the highway.

Jerry Baker, who is staying at the Bethlehem Inn, said he's almost been hit a couple of times trying to cross the highway in that area. He told NewsChannel 21 a crosswalk can't come soon enough.

"I think it's over-needed," Baker said. "By them doing that, I think they'll save some lives. I think they'll save some grief to a lot of people. I just don't want that to happen to me, or anybody else."

While Murphy said the project is not in response to any specific incident, he said it will make the area safer. Construction is set to begin this fall, and should be completed in a year.