Powell Butte Highway roundabout opens Friday afternoon

The new roundabout at Powell Butte Highway, Alfalfa Market Road and Neff Road east of Bend will open Friday at 4 p.m., Deschutes County officials said Thursday.

“This roundabout is an important improvement that will increase safety for the close to 6,000 drivers who travel through the intersection each day,” said Alan Unger, Deschutes County chair.

Between 2008 and 2012, there were 20 reported crashes at the intersection, five of which involved an injury.There was a fatality at the intersection in 2003.

Roundabouts are proven to be safer for drivers, even in rural areas, said Deschutes County Road Department Director Chris Doty.

“A roundabout in a rural area like this is designed differently than one you’ll see in the city,” Doty said. “We add features well in advance of the intersection to slow drivers down, which improves safety and lessens the severity of any crash.”

The Powell Butte Highway project, which was completed on time within its allocated budget of $2.5 million, is the county’s third roundabout.

“We greatly appreciate the patience of the public while enduring detours associated with this project, as well as the partnership developed with the adjacent property owners who made sacrifices as well,” Unger said.