Bend trail, sewer work to shut Colorado Avenue Bridge

The Colorado Avenue Bridge in southwest Bend will be closed to all traffic from October 5 through November 17 for construction of a trail undercrossing tunnel and sewer line, officials said Wednesday as they announce detour routes to deal with the closure.

In an effort to minimize traffic impacts, the Bend Park and Recreation District and the city of Bend coordinated construction schedules so that both projects will occur during the closure, they said in a joint announcement.

All traffic will be detoured during the five-week period and travelers are advised to use alternate routes.

For drivers, the recommended detour is via SW Reed Market Road. For cyclists and pedestrians, the suggested detour is via footbridges at Columbia Park and in the Old Mill District. Detour maps are available online at www.bendparksandrec.org/Colorado-Bridge.

“By coordinating these two projects, we’re able to reduce the amount of time the bridge will be closed and minimize disruption for the community,” said Chelsea Schneider, BPRD landscape architect. “Our collective goals are to get the needed work done in the shortest time possible and reduce the time the bridge would be closed.”

Designed to improve the safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, the park district’s new 14-foot wide trail undercrossing tunnel will be located at the east end of the bridge.

The undercrossing will replace a previous informal narrow pathway that was hazardous due to low clearance, limited visibility and close vicinity to the river. It also provides a direct connection to the Deschutes River Trail and reduces traffic safety concerns caused by pedestrians running across Colorado Avenue, rather than crossing at the signalized intersection at Industrial Way.

The tunnel is part of the district’s and city’s plans to improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity and extend the Deschutes River Trail system from the Old Mill District north to Miller’s Landing Park.

A portion of the city’s Colorado Lift Station sewer line project also requires work at the bridge. The city’s work during this period will also include construction of the sewer line crossing on the bridge, underground sewer lines and associated pavement restoration east of the bridge to Wall Street.

The public is invited to attend a community open house featuring the projects on Thursday, September 9th, noon to 2 p.m. or 5 to7 p.m. at the park district office at 799 SW Columbia St. Both district and city staff will be on hand to answer questions.

Additional information on the trail undercrossing is available at the park district’s website at www.bendparksandrec.org/Colorado-Bridge. Additional information on the sewer line project s available at the City of Bend’s website at www.bendoregon.gov/bendprojects.