The US 97 Bend North Corridor project is being conducted by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The purpose is to reduce traffic congestion, improve traffic flow and improve public safety on the segment of US 97 between the Deschutes Market Road/Tumalo Junction interchange and the Bend Parkway/Empire Avenue interchange. The project will include development of an environmental impact statement (EIS) to document how alternative solutions would impact the community and environment.

The public scoping period was open from January 10 to February 11, 2008.

During this time, the public shared their ideas about the project and helped to identify issues important to the community and environment.

These ideas and issues helped develop and refine many alternatives to solve the transportation problems on US 97.

The project is now in the alternatives development and screening phase. From now through the summer 2008, ODOT will:

1. Develop a preliminary range of alternatives based on the US 97 and US 20 Refinement Plan, public input from the scoping period and other public involvement activities.
2. Conduct environmental fieldwork to support the alternatives screening phase.
3. Screen the preliminary range of alternatives to determine which meet the project’s purpose and need as well as the project’s goals and objectives.219 kb
4. Identify a narrower range of alternatives that best balance transportation needs with community and environmental considerations. ODOT is meeting with various community groups to get their input during the alternatives development and screening phase. Learn more on the Alternatives Development and Screening page.