City of Bend says it’s making progress on accessibility

The City of Bend said Friday it “continues to make extensive progress in creating a more accessible and connected community,” and offered an update on recent and upcoming projects to fill in more gaps in sidewalk connectivity and curb ramps.

Over the past three years, more than 1,000 curb ramps and several miles of sidewalk have been built through programs including the city’s annual paving program and voter-approved general obligation bond projects such as Reed Market Road and several roundabouts, the city said in a news release.

In a recent update to city councilors, staff highlighted the nearly 1,200 curb ramps and seven miles of sidewalk planned between 2016-2018 as part of annual paving and major capital projects.

This fall, the City will begin work on missing curb ramps and sidewalks along South Third Street. (www.bendoregon.gov/thirdstreetsidewalks)

Additionally, in 2017, more than 100 curb ramps and several thousand feet of sidewalk will be built in corridors and neighborhoods.

The projects were prioritized by the accessibility community to address citizen-submitted Barrier Removal Requests. These improvements will provide better and safer connections for everyone to transit, schools, businesses and social services.

“We are so excited to see these projects on the ground, including the Third Street project where we will be getting miles of great sidewalks,” said Councilor Barb Campbell. “This improves connectivity for our citizens and is good for the businesses along those corridors.”

Numerous city departments work together to consider and implement accessibility improvements as part of nearly every project, officials said.

For more information, see the City’s ADA Transition Plan at www.bendoregon.gov/accessibility