ODOT, USFS building pedestrian undercrossing west of Bend

Construction is underway on a pedestrian undercrossing on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway west of Bend, the Oregon Department of Transportation said Wednesday.

The undercrossing, located at the Rimrock Trailhead, will allow people to safely cross the highway to access a non-motorized, multi-use trail being constructed by the Deschutes National Forest. The new trail will parallel the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway from the Bend city limits to the Cascades Welcome Station.

The Deschutes National Forest will begin paving the 3-mile trail on Oct. 11 and will finish no later than October 21, officials said.

The public should be aware that the Rimrock Trailhead will be closed from October 4 – 21 to allow for building the underpass and paving the trail. Both the new trail and undercrossing will be operational this year.

ODOT has awarded a $700,000 contract to Marcum & Sons, LLC to construct the pedestrian undercrossing.

Travelers can expect single lane closures and delays up to 20 minutes beginning in early October. Construction is scheduled to be complete by early November.