BEND, OR -- Oregon’s Department of Transportation officially broke ground Monday on the Bend North Corridor U.S. Highway 97 and 20 improvement project.

State and federal officials joined local dignitaries at Robal and Nels Anderson road.

ODOT regional manager Gary Farnsworth is enthusiastic for the scope of the work, “This project is going to be amazing in terms of all aspects but also because it’s so big and impacts both US 97 and 20. We’re going to be putting the community under a lot of stress as well during construction. That will be super important to us.”

ODOT will give notice when traffic will be affected.

Farnsworth says once complete, Highways 97 and 20 will feature the latest technology, “We’ll have the ability to favor when we need to freight, transit, pedestrians, and bicyclists. And then really optimize mobility; address congestion, crashes, fuel efficiency, and improve safety, of course.”

Bend City Manager Eric King is excited for what this means to Bend, “I look at this project as kind of the good example of the work that we’re doing so collaboratively with ODOT. Everything from planning to just balancing all those needs. We’ve got many more projects in the cue. I’m very optimistic about all the work ahead of us for a growing community.”

All of the dignitaries at Monday's ceremony mentioned the cooperation from various levels of government to make this nearly $175 million project happen.

Construction impacts are expected to be minor this fall but will increase as time goes on. The Bend North Corridor is expected to be complete by late 2024.