Bend set to link Empire Avenue, 27th Street in 2020

A long-awaited, long-debated connection between two busy northeast Bend roads — Empire Avenue and 27th Street – is finally set to move off the drawing board and into reality in the summer of 2020, and familiar concerns from nearby residents also have returned.

This is considered Phase 2 of the Empire Corridor Improvement Project. A planned two-lane roundabout where Empire, 27th and Butler Market Road will meet is described by city officials as the most cost-effective plan that benefits not only drivers but also pedestrians.

Mayor Sally Russell said Thursday there are far fewer accidents at roundabouts in comparison to four-way intersections.

“Roundabouts are really much safer,” Russell said. “As much as you have to hang on to your coffee so that it doesn’t spill, there are huge advantages, and there are huge cost advantages of having a roundabout here. It will be a two-lane, not a one-lane, but we’ve had those. They’ve been very effective in other parts of town.”

Once school ends in June, Purcell Boulevard will be shut down for a short period of time so that another roundabout can be built at Empire and Purcell.

The first phase of the project has involved improvements last fall to Empire Avenue and the roundabout to be built this summer, with a closure of Purcell to finish that project by August.

Next year’s Phase 2 will be the Empire extension east, over the North Unit Irrigation District canal to the roundabout at 27th Street and Butler Market Road. In the future, the city also plans improvements to Purcell Boulevard south to Butler Market Road.

In the 1990s, a proposed Empire-27th Street link was shelved amid strong opposition from residents on the north end of 27th Street who feared — as many do now — a “de facto Eastside bypass” and a major drop in safety and livability. It was a leading issue as a group formed called Slow Growth Down.

Several residents told councilors Wednesday night they are opposed to the option of widening 27th Street to five lanes and said they’d like to see more traffic-calming efforts, as well as whatever can be done to keep big semi trucks from overwhelming their neighborhood.

“It feels like there’s a freight train coming straight at us,” said Beth Hoover, who chairs the Mountain View Neighborhood Association. “This is a walkable, livable neighborhood we cherish. We would like you to protect us.”

City Manager Eric King told councilors the discussion of widening 27th Street will be a “completely separate discussion” during the ongoing Transportation System Plan update than the planned two-lane roundabout, which has an estimated cost of $5.2 million for asphalt or $5.6 million for concrete.

A traffic signal option, with double through and turn lanes due to expected traffic counts in coming years, would have cost even more, at $6.5 million, planners said.

The city staff proceeded with the roundabout option for more traffic capacity and fewer delays in future years, improved safety and fewer crashes, as well as a lower cost.

With engineering and design work still underway, King said he’ll bring the canal crossing element of the project back to councilors for more discussion in coming weeks.

For more information: https://www.bendoregon.gov/city-projects/infrastructure-projects/empire-corridor-improvements