Work gets under way on Colorado Dam Safe Passage
Now that the project contract has won board approval, the Bend Park & Recreation District began site preparation work Monday and announced upcoming closure and detour plans for the Colorado Avenue Dam Safe Passage construction, set to begin in October.
The project will reconstruct the Colorado Dam to create three river channels – one for safe passage for floaters and fish passage, one for active recreation such as whitewater kayakers and one for wildlife habitat.
The project also includes construction of a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge and new park amenities at McKay Park on the river’s west side.
The general contractor is Hamilton Construction and the principal engineer is Otak, Inc. Total funding for the voter-approved bond measure project tops $9.67 million, including the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance’s fundraising commitment of $1.13 million.
The project is anticipated to be completed by fall of 2015, however, work will continue in McKay Park and along the Deschutes River Trail into 2016.
Areas affected include Colorado Dam, Miller’s Landing Park, the Deschutes River, Deschutes River Trail on both east and west sides of the river, McKay Park, Colorado Dam footbridge, Colorado Ave. bridge, Shevlin Hixon Road and private properties in the north end of the Old Mill District.
Park district staff began work Monday to prepare the area and remove various amenities at McKay Park including benches, light fixtures and the plaza sculpture of geese. McKay Park access will be limited.
On Wednesday, October 1, Hamilton Construction will begin to mobilize on site. For the first two weeks of October, work will include trail construction, trailer installation, fencing, signage, installation of temporary access path to Colorado Avenue bridge and various preparations for project closures and detours.
Closures and detours are anticipated to begin in the first half of October. Street access in the area is expected to remain open with temporary closures using flaggers.
Closures will include:
• Colorado Dam footbridge
• McKay Park
• Deschutes River access.
Starting this fall through spring 2015, river access will be limited from approximately 600 feet upriver of the Colorado Dam to downriver of McKay Park. A detour corridor to access the downstream reach of the river will be available through McKay Park.
Detours will include area trails and pathways:
• on east and west sides of the river including the Deschutes River Trail
• to Miller’s Landing Park
• to the Old Mill District
• around McKay Park.
Footbridge traffic will be detoured to the sidewalk and bike lane on the north side of the Colorado Ave. bridge. A temporary path will be built on the west side of the bridge for access from Shevlin Hixon Rd. and McKay Park.
Closures and detours are expected to last the length of the project and may vary with project needs. In addition, the city of Bend is constructing new sewer infrastructure in the vicinity, so additional closures by the city should be expected.
The Colorado Ave. Dam Safe Passage is one of several bond-funded projects approved by voters in November of 2012. Additional information can be found on the district’s website at www.bendparksandrec.org under “Current Projects.”
BPRD said it appreciates the community’s patience during the project. Questions regarding the construction project should be directed to Chelsea Schneider, BPRD Landscape Architect, at (541) 706-6155, chelsea@bendparksandrec.org or Brian Hudspeth, BPRD Construction Manager, at (541) 706-6137 or brian@bendparksandrec.org.
