REDMOND, OR -- Redmond is again addressing safety concerns along Highway 126, also known as Highland Ave., on the western edge of the city. The area is known for serious crashes, as drivers transition from rural to urban conditions.

City Council this week approved a plan this week to install about 2,000-feet of sidewalks, "We worked with ODOT to take advantage of some funds they have for sidewalk improvements on state highways, to fill in sidewalks between 27th and 35th along Highway 126, along the south side," says City Engineer Mike Caccavano, "So, that’s along Highland Baptist Church and a couple of vacant properties." He adds, "Things like sidewalks and improvements along the frontage of highways often help make drivers realize they’re getting into an urban area, it’s time to slow down. We’re not putting anybody in an unsafe location, but this should help with making this a safer corridor." He expects construction on the $200,000 project to begin next spring. Caccavano says a digital "driver feedback" speed sign is already helping to slow traffic entering the city. There are plans to move the sign farther west, so the slowing occurs earlier.

Also this week, City Council approved moving into the design phase for improvements on Southwest Reservoir Drive (pictured), in the area where it turns into Wickiup Avenue, "It’s another one of those, like Canal Boulevard, that was just an old county road. From 39th over to Volcano and 43rd, we’re going to do full street improvements – so, the sidewalks, bike lanes, the whole works. The rest of it, from 43rd over to Helmholtz, there’s going to do future development in that area, so we’ll just do a street overlay in that section." He estimates the work will cost about $75,000. Caccavano says it should improve safety in a fast growing area. He expects the majority of that work to occur in summer, to avoid any conflicts with students trying to get to Ridgeview High School. 

Pictured: SW Reservoir Drive, near Umatilla Ave.