Wednesday, October 21, supporters of Measure 9-135, Bend’s transportation bond, will gather along the south side of SE Reed Market Road (at the Railroad crossing) to highlight the current dangerous and congested conditions of Bend’s roads. The Bond measure will dedicate $190 million towards transportation improvement projects, including a bridge crossing the railroad in this location to improve safety and traffic flow.
Speakers will include:
- Mike Riley, executive director of the Environmental Center
- Katy Brooks, executive director, Bend Chamber of Commerce
- David Howe, retired battalion chief, Bend Fire Department
- Scott Douglas, board president, Boys & Girls Club of Bend
- Lisa Goodman, public information and government affairs officer, St. Charles Health Systems
In addition to a new bridge at the railroad crossing, Reed Market Road is one of several roads slated for improvements to U.S. 97/Parkway ramp interchanges. Others include Empire Avenue, Butler Market Road, Colorado Avenue, Powers Road and Murphy Road to be improved by Measure 9-135.
In addition to major road improvements like these, the measure includes filling in missing sidewalks to increase pedestrian access and safety, improved lighting and road crossings near schools and parks, jobs and construction of a connected cross-town bike network on 12 key routes to make Bend dramatically more bike-friendly.
