Bend’s 3 Empire Avenue roundabouts to open; celebration set next week
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Members of the community are invited to join the City of Bend for a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate opening of three roundabouts on NE Butler Market Road -- at 27th Street, Deschutes Market Road and Eagle Road -- at 3 p.m. on Wednesday Oct. 7.
“This ceremony signifies completion of an important east-west segment of Bend’s transportation system for people who drive, walk and bike. We are able to open ahead of schedule, thanks to a public/private partnership with Pahlisch Homes,” said Mayor Sally Russell. “One notable feature is the pedestrian underpass between neighborhoods and the park.”
Participants may walk, ride a bike or drive to the Eagle Road roundabout for the start of the 3 p.m. event. Event attendees must wear a mask or face covering and follow physical distancing guidelines.
This event marks completion of the major Empire Boulevard Corridor Improvements in Northeast Bend after two years of construction. Improvements include new, widened and repaved roadways, pedestrian paths, bike lanes, street lighting and landscaping.
“The completion of the Empire Corridor represents the best of City planning, bringing together the concept of ‘complete neighborhoods’ that are interconnected with jobs, parks, housing, schools and serve all users of our transportation system,” said City Manager Eric King.
The project also serves the planned 177-acre Petrosa mixed-use community nearby. The developer contributed to project costs.
To see an aerial video of progress on the Empire Corridor Improvements Project: see this video that starts at Empire and 27th and move east on Butler Market Road. The middle roundabout is at Deschutes Market and then finishes at the Eagle Road roundabout.
For more information go to www.bendoregon.gov/empire or call the Construction Hotline: 541-200-6979
