BEND, OR --  The City of Bend is starting work on its last stretch of pipeline going in near Tumalo Falls, and that has forced the closure of Forest Road 4603, leading to the scenic falls, beginning Monday.  City crews are replacing the final 2.5 miles of aging pipe as part of the Bridge Creek Pipeline Project.  Cassidy Kern with the Deschutes National Forest says the closure will remain in place until the work is completed.  "The closure is going to include all traffic. That means skiing, snowshoing, and of course, vehicles. The installation of the pipeline will involve trenching that goes directly into the road bed, so there's no safe path around the narrow single lane road."  

Tumalo Falls and the trail system above it can still be accessed by foot or bicycle from the Skyliners Trailhead as well as the trail along the south side of Tumalo Creek.  City officials have not set a date for when the work is expected to be completed.