Bend 27th Street sewer-line project to begin in spring

A long stretch of Bend’s 27th Street will undergo a major sewer-line project, starting in the spring, and a string of meetings are planned in coming weeks to offer details and take input, officials said.

The Southeast Interceptor Project is a large-diameter sewer pipe mostly within the road corridor, starting near Medical Center Drive and running south to Reed Market Road, according to a public meeting notice mailed Friday by the city of Bend and DOWL, a local engineering firm providing construction management and public involvement services.

Also included in the project are a section of Medical Center Drive and Neff Road on the north end, and a block of Reed Market to Camelot Place on the south end.

Construction is expected to begin in March and run for nearly two years, until late 2017.

As with other sewer work that occurred in recent years on Bend’s south side, some excavation work is involved, such as drilling and blasting, officials said. The contractor must offer a pre-blast survey, at no cost, and with the homeowner’s permission.

Left-turn movements will be restricted as the project progresses through each intersection, but the city said at least one point of access will be maintained throughout the work to the Forum, Twin Knolls and Bellevue shopping areas. Delivery traffic may be rerouted, but the city vows “ample notification.”

The work generally will take place between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. weekdays, though some work may happen on Saturdays, officials said. Night work also might occur in some areas to reduce conflicts with business hours.

An open house-style meeting is planned for specific businesses in the four corners area of 27 th Street and Highway 20, including the Forum, Twin Knolls, and Crossroads on Tuesday , Nov., 17 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Abilitree, 2680 NE Twin Knolls Drive, Suite 150.

More targeted meetings will be scheduled in the future for other groups of stakeholders with shared issues and interests, officials said. Stakeholders are receiving individual invitations to these meetings.

Additionally, a meeting is tentatively scheduled for the general public on Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Mountain View High School.

Those unable to attend are urged to contact DOWL directly for project information at 458-202-7349. You can find more information and sign up for e-mail updates at the city’s Website on the project.