Bend septic-to-sewer project to detour southbound SE 15th Street for months

Nearly 150 homes to decommission aging septic systems

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- To build the Desert Woods and Neighborhood Extension Project, the first construction phase of the city of Bend’s Septic to Sewer Conversion Program, the city will close southbound traffic on 15th Street between Reed Market Road and King Hezekiah Way from next Wednesday through November.

Northbound traffic will remain open throughout the duration of construction on 15th Street. Southbound traffic will detour to Reed Market Road, 27th Street and Ferguson Road, the city said Thursday.

The Desert Woods project installs gravity sewer lines on Desert Woods Drive, King Solomon Court, King Hezekiah Way, Greenmont Drive, 15th Street, Hollis Lane and within the Nottingham Square subdivision to allow 143 homes to decommission their aging septic systems. 

Neighborhood residents applied to the city to install sewer on their streets. The Neighborhood Extension Program allows residents to apply for up to $2.5 million each year to complete a sewer project where properties have private onsite septic systems. The program is funded through utility rate revenues. Selected projects are called Neighborhood Extension Projects.

The city will be able to decommission two pump stations, which will reduce operation and maintenance costs and conserve energy by using gravity instead of power to convey waste.

The city is coordinating with a nearby private development project to install required sidewalk and pedestrian refuge islands along 15th Street during construction of the Desert Woods sewer project.  This will reduce the overall duration of the detour and construction impacts to the residents in the area. 

More information: www.bendoregon.gov/desertwoods.