City of Bend to discuss major infrastructure projects at open house

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend will hold a community open house April 7 to discuss the Hawthorne Connections Study and other major infrastructure improvements planned for the city. The event is scheduled from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at The Newberry Hotel in the Mt. Bachelor Room at 300 NW Franklin Ave.

The open house will provide information on multiple projects, including the Midtown Crossings Project and the Second Street Waterline Improvement project. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to create a "low-stress network" of safer, more accessible routes for people who are walking, biking or rolling through the city.

The Hawthorne Connections Study focuses on two road segments intended to fill gaps in the city's bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. The first segment involves Hawthorne Avenue between Third Street and Fifth Street, which would provide safer access to destinations such as the Juniper Swim & Fitness Center. The second segment covers Harriman Street between Greenwood Avenue and Franklin Avenue to improve access to the planned Hawthorne Crossing bridge. This bridge is designed to carry pedestrians and cyclists over the Parkway and Railroad.

The Midtown Crossings Project includes final design details for Franklin Avenue from Harriman Street to NE Fourth Street. Planned improvements for this stretch include new separated sidewalks and bike lanes, upgraded lighting, landscaping and signage. The project also involves new railings near the undercrossing, painting and various water and stormwater management infrastructure. These changes are intended to reduce traffic conflict points and calm vehicle speeds.

The Second Street waterline project aims to replace aging infrastructure to improve the resiliency of the water system across Bend. Crews will replace an existing 12-inch cast iron water main with an 18-inch ductile iron main. This upsized pipe will increase water capacity between the Awbrey Reservoir and the Pilot Butte Reservoir while bringing the system up to current standards.

Utility construction on Franklin Avenue between NE First Street and NE Fourth Street is scheduled to begin in April. Residents who cannot attend the in-person event can access an online open house featuring the same information starting the same day.