ODOT again shifts Bend Parkway blasting work; third of six closures to take place Thursday night

(Update: ODOT explains reason for change)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- On Thursday evening, crews will complete another blast of hard basalt along U.S. Highway 97 near Empire Avenue. It's the third of six such blasts, making way for the new section of the parkway, part of the Bend North Corridor project, ODOT said Tuesday.

As with last Saturday morning and the previous Sunday morning, the highway will be closed for up to 15 minutes, but this time between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The brief closure of the highway allows for a clear zone around the blast site. 

Asked why the second shift from the original plans for six successive Sundays for blast operations, ODOT Region 4 Kacey Davey said she checked with project engineers, who said: "“We’re trying to do our best to blast while causing minimal traffic impacts. For us, that means early morning or evening, while still maintaining daylight (for safety reasons).”

If you travel this route on Thursday evening, plan ahead and give yourself extra time, ODOT advised. "Be prepared to stop and give our crews space," they said.

If you want to avoid the delays, consider an alternate route. Last week's blast on Saturday morning stopped traffic for only seven minutes.  

All work is dependent on weather conditions, and schedules are subject to change. Visit the Bend North Corridor website for more detailed information.

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