BEND, OR -- Pedestrians are invited to walk on the newly improved section of Empire Avenue, Monday afternoon, during an open house hosted by the city of Bend. The stretch of Empire between 18th and Purcell closed in September; it will open for walking visitors Monday, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. It's scheduled to fully reopen to vehicle traffic on December third.

The Empire Corridor Improvement Project will eventually push the road through to 27th Street. Earlier this month, City Councilors approved funding for Phase Two, which includes construction of a roundabout at Empire and Purcell. Crews will work through winter, as weather allows.