Update: ODOT again shifts sixth Bend Highway 97 blasting operation – likely the last – to next Tuesday night

(Update: Sixth blasting operation again rescheduled, to next Tuesday)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The blast scheduled for this weekend along U.S. Highway 97 for the Bend North Corridor project -- originally moved back a week, to May 4 -- has again been rescheduled, moving it up to next Tuesday night, April 30, ODOT said Friday.

Bend North Corridor crews will complete the sixth and most likely final blast of hard basalt near Empire Avenue. The highway will be closed for up to 15 minutes between 8 p.m. and 9 p.,m.

"This brief highway closure allows for a clear zone around the blasting sites," ODOT Community Affairs Coordinator Meghan Blyth said in the update. "If you travel this route Tuesday evening, plan ahead and give yourself extra time. Be prepared to stop and give crews space. If you want to avoid delays, consider an alternate route." 

All work is dependent on weather conditions, and schedules are subject to change.

It's the sixth blast along the route of the Bend North Corridor Project. The first such operation occurred in late March, and each has led to brief highway closures.

“It should be our last, but we won’t know for sure until it’s complete,” Blythe added.

Northbound traffic on U.S. 97 has been temporarily moved to the newly built parkway on-ramp at Cooley Road. Vehicles along this route will travel on the newly built U.S. 97 on-ramp and tie back into the existing highway just north of Grandview Avenue. This will remain until all new northbound travel lanes are complete in July and is not expected to affect travel time for commuters.  

The existing northbound U.S. 97 on-ramp at Empire Avenue has been closed and access has temporarily moved to the newly built U.S. 97 parkway. Vehicles along this route will travel on the newly built U.S. 97 parkway to Robal lane, where they will reconnect with the existing highway at the stoplight. Travelers should expect congestion and are advised to take a different route when possible.

Travelers may encounter single lane nighttime closures on U.S. 97 from Empire Avenue to Grandview Drive between milepost 133.6 and milepost 135.8 for traffic control maintenance.

Pay attention in the work zone, slow down and move over – imagine this is where you work! Always drive safely, watch for construction signs and workers. Remember that fines double in all Oregon work zones, whether workers and signs are present or not.