BEND, OR -- After years of planning, Oregon’s Department of Transportation begins the much-anticipated Bend North Corridor project this fall. ODOT’s Kacey Davey says most of the early work will happen at night. In February, they’ll begin major work on Highway 20, "We’ve got two roundabouts coming to US 20. So, one at Robal and one at Cooley," says Davey

Then, comes work on Highway 97, later next year, "The current US 97 will become like future Third Street - you know, a business local access," Davey tells KBND News, "And then where the railroad tracks are, just a little further east, we’re actually building an extension of the Parkway, which will be 97. So, if you don’t want to stop and use the businesses or anything on the north end of town, you can just go right on through and bypass all of that without hitting any traffic lights."

There are also improvements coming for non-drivers, "Things like multi-use paths, and more and wider bike lanes, a new bus transit stop up there, enhanced pedestrian and bike crossings. You know, those crossings where you push a button and the lights flash at cars to warn people that people are going to be crossing." Click HERE for more information. 

Davey says all the work is to achieve a set of goals, "Improve safety, mobility and accessibility, and relieve congestion and improve travel times on that part of town; because everyone knows that can get a little bit congested right now."

The $175 million project is expected to be fully complete by December of 2024.