La Pine breaks ground on Hwy. 97 traffic light

The spring chill Tuesday morning did nothing to deter the turnout for an ODOT ground-breaking ceremony marking the start of work on La Pine’s third traffic signal and the first on Highway 97, at First Street.

Officials said the much-needed traffic signal addresses the safety needs of frequent pedestrian and bicycle crossings at the junction, also serving as a connector between the east and west sides of the city.

Significant industrial and employment growth is planned for the east side of the city in the next 20 years, Economic Development for Central Oregon said in a news release on the project’s start.

Officials said the new light is the result of extensive planning and collaboration between the city of La Pine, Deschutes County and ODOT and has received strong community support,

County Commissioner Tony DeBone spoke about how long this vision has been in the works and how exciting the day was for La Pine.

To the cheers of local community members, Commissioner Alan Unger, Mayor Ken Mulenex, City Council President Stu Martinez, City Manager Rick Allen, Janet Burton of EDCO, and members of the city’s Public Works Committee all helped break ground.

Construction on the $1.5 million project will begin April 20 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of August.

ODOT Region 4 spokesman Peter Murphy said the agency is still “interested in removing as many lights as possible” from state highways, such as the ongoing Murphy Road project in Bend.

Also, Murphy said, “We have found that roundabouts reduce serious injury collisions,” compared to signalized intersections.

However, he noted “The situation is La Pine is unique” and warranted the signal.

Information on this and other ODOT projects can be found at http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION4/Pages/RoadworkImprovements.aspx