(Photo courtesy of City of Bend)
The Franklin Avenue undercrossing will temporarily re-open for the holidays to help improve holiday travel and access to local businesses during the holiday shopping season. The underpass is scheduled to temporarily reopen to traffic by the end of the day on Friday, November 20, 2026, and will remain open through Sunday, January 3, 2027.
While the underpass will be open to traffic, construction will continue in other areas of the project corridor. Please continue to use caution when traveling in the area and follow posted signs.
What to Expect During the Temporary Opening:
- The new bike climbing lanes will not be installed yet, so cyclists will continue to merge with traffic or use the sidewalk.
- The south undercrossing sidewalk will be open for bikes and pedestrians.
- Construction continues in other areas of the project.
- Use extra caution when traveling in the area and follow posted signs.
- Turns from Franklin Avenue onto Hill Street are not permitted.
Construction Updates
Crews have been making significant headway, excavating rock walls outside the tunnels and replacing aging waterlines. With progress taking shape both above and below ground, here’s an update on recent and upcoming project activities.
- All work on Franklin Avenue between Fourth Street and Eight Street is complete.
- Replacement and relocation of aging waterlines continues.
- Installing stormwater infrastructure in the undercrossing continues.
- Improvements from First Street to Third Street will be mostly complete by the end of November, with plants and trees likely to be planted in the spring.
When work is complete, the new Franklin Avenue undercrossing will include:
- New stormwater dry wells to improve drainage and reduce flooding.
- Replacement of aging waterlines to meet current standards and improve system reliability.
- New uphill bicycle climbing lanes exiting the underpass to improve safety for people biking.
- New pedestrian railings to enhance safety along the sidewalk.
- New street lighting to improve visibility and nighttime safety.
Current Closures and Detours
Franklin Avenue is currently closed for construction from Hill Street to First Street. Detour routes include Third Street, Greenwood Avenue, and Wall and Bond streets. Olney Avenue and Colorado Avenue will also be fully accessible during the undercrossing closure. Link to detour map.
- Emergency response access will be maintained at all times.
- Access to all businesses will be open throughout construction. Follow posted business access signs.
- One side of the undercrossing sidewalk path will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists.
To stay informed about this project and other construction happening in Bend, sign up for weekly traffic reports at bendoregon.gov/traffic.
