The chilly morning did nothing to deter a great local turn out for the ODOT ground breaking ceremony for the beginning of work on installing a traffic signal on the intersection of U.S. 97 and First Street in La Pine. The much needed traffic signal addresses the safety needs of frequent pedestrian and bicycle crossings at this junction, but also serves as a connector between the east and west sides of the city.
Significant industrial and employment growth is planned for the east side of the city in the next 20 years. The much needed traffic signal is the result of extensive planning and collaboration between the City of La Pine, Deschutes County and ODOT and has received strong community support.
Deschutes County Commissioner Tony De Bone spoke about how long this vision has been in the works and how exciting this day is for La Pine. To the cheers of local community members, Deschutes County Commissioner Alan Unger, La Pine Mayor Ken Mulenex, La Pine City Council President Stu Martinez, La Pine City Manager Rick Allen, Janet Burton – EDCO and members of the public works committee all helped break ground. Construction will be completed by the end of August 2015.
(Photo above: (L-R) Rick Allen, La Pine City Manager; Gary Farnsworth, ODOT Area Manager; Stu Martinez, La Pine City Council; Jim Fleming, La Pine Public Works Committee; Tony DeBone, Deschutes County Commissioner; Linda Johnston, La Pine Public Works Committee; Greg Jones, La Pine City Council; Mayor Ken Mulenex; Don Greiner, La Pine Planning Commission and Alan Unger, Deschutes County Commissioner | Photo by Peter Murphy)
