BEND, OR -- Safety and accessibility improvements are coming to Bend’s Olney Avenue, between Wall and Northeast Second. "It is one of the busiest pedestrian and bicycle routes in the city of Bend, that we saw from the data," says Engineer Carrie Theus, with the city of Bend.

She tells KBND News there are three possible designs, all with bike and pedestrian improvements like buffered bike lanes, "Currently, there’s not buffered bike lines. They all have protection under the US 97 overpass on the road. They all have a safe crossing upgrade at Second Street that will include some type of bike separated area, pedestrian separated area, where they can cross the road safely." Theus adds, "While we’re increasing safety for people who bike or walk, we’re also going to be increasing safety for people who drive, because drivers will be more aware of where the bikers are, there’s going to be more visibility and lighting." Construction is tentatively scheduled for spring and will take six to eight months.

An open house Tuesday evening is a chance for the design team to gather public feedback on the three draft proposals, "As well as personal experiences from the community. We have a question, ‘where do you possibly feel unsafe on this road in today’s environment?’" The community meeting is from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18, at Pioneer Park (1525 NW Wall St.).  

For those who can't make it in person, the information and a survey are available online now through July 23 bendoregon.gov/olneypedbike.