Here comes next round of Bend North Corridor changes, as Third Street connects to N. Business 97 at Cascade Village
That happens Thursday evening - and then, a weekend of closures and detours
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Ready or not, here comes the next round of Highway 97 and Third Street changes on Bend's north end, as ODOT crews continue a project due for completion by year's end.
On Thursday evening, crews are opening the U.S. 97 Business Route connector road. The new section of road directly connects Third Street just north of the Empire Avenue intersection to Business 97. The old section of the parkway that passes the Cascade Village Shopping Center and other retail areas is now known as Business 97 or Third Street.
If you are heading to the shopping area from Empire Avenue or Third Street you will no longer have to take U.S. Highway 20 to the roundabout at Robal Road as a detour to get there.
But that's not all:
Plan Ahead: Weekend-long closures start Friday night
The Third Street to westbound U.S. 20 bridge will be closed this coming weekend starting Friday at 8 p.m. While crews work on this bridge, the southbound section of Business 97 that passes underneath it must be closed for safety. Both sections of road will reopen by next Monday morning at 5 a.m.
U.S. 20 westbound traffic will detour using the new connector road from Third Street, continue north on U.S. 97 Business/Third Street and turn left at Cooley Road to get back to Highway 20. 
U.S. 97 Business southbound traffic will detour by turning right at Cooley Road, traveling west, and then turn left onto U.S. 20 at the roundabout. 
Signs will be placed along all of the routes, showing everyone where they need to detour to make it to their destination ODOT says.
The striped lines show the sections of road that will be closed for maintenance this weekend.
Work is weather-dependent and schedules may change. Learn more about the work ODOT is doing by visiting the project page.
And as always, ODOT reminds: "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.
