Powell Butte Hwy. roundabout project set to begin

Next Monday, construction crews will begin work on the installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Powell Butte Highway, Neff Road and Alfalfa Market Road east of Bend, Deschutes County officials said.

A temporary bypass road will be installed on Powell Butte Highway to facilitate traffic through the project, officials said.

The $2.5 million project at a dangerous intersection that has been the scene of many crashes was due to happen last year, but acquiring right of way took longer than expected, officials said. It’s expected to take up to four months to complete.

Intermittent detour routes will be required throughout the course of the project to facilitate construction.

Drivers are urged to use caution at this intersection and use alternative routes where possible.

The project’s hours of operation will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday .

A raised center island with landscaping is planned for the county’s second traffic circle (the first was at South Century and Abbot drives in Sunriver).

For more information, please call George Kolb, County Engineer at 541-322-7113 .