Problem Solvers: Back-ups on Empire Avenue in Bend causing headache for drivers and businesses

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Is it infrastructure? Or just too many people?

That’s the question business owners and residents in Bend are asking, and the problem solvers are investigating, as Empire Avenue continues to back up every day.

“I think it really holds people back because you just avoid the area at all costs,” said John Nolan, who owns the Hideaway Empire, a sports bar just off Empire Avenue.

He tells the problem solvers congestion has severely impacted the business: “It's like one of our busier times. It's happy hour 2 to 5, and all of a sudden, you know, we don't get anyone. We get somebody, you know, we get a push late, we get a lunch push. ”

The city of Bend controls that stretch of road. But Nolan and other Bend residents point to ODOT's Highway 97 reroute to blame.

“This is a matter of people getting used to how to get around. So this empire is the new normal-- I hate using that term-- but for that road,” he said.

Residents are asking for immediate solutions. 

“It just can't be the long-term solution. And I can't imagine that's within their plans. ”

It all comes down to jurisdiction. The problem solvers have learned the city is responsible for Empire Avenue and the streets around it. The Department of Transportation is responsible for the off-ramps leading to Empire.

But both the city and ODOT must work collaboratively from Highway 20 to Empire Avenue if any improvements are to come.

ODOT says they are working with the city of Bend on solutions to the backups, including signal changes and a dedicated right turn lane. But funding for the projects would not come until 2027.