The US 97 Bend North Corridor project is being conducted by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the 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.

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In response to public and stakeholder concerns which have been raised about the magnitude of the project, particularly a concern about the total cost compared to the likely 20-year funding opportunities, ODOT staff are taking a pause on the environmental technical analysis work for the project. As of spring 2009, ODOT recommended advancing four build alternatives for detailed study and comparison in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): West 1, East 1, East 2 and East 3. These alternatives were presented at an open house in May 2009.

In September and October 2009, the project team looked at opportunities for down-scaling the current build alternatives to see if a lower-cost variation of one or more of the build alternatives would meet the project’s purpose and need and optimize project goals and objectives. Four down-scaled (lower cost) alternatives were developed during a design workshop on October 12, 2009, and October 14, 2009: East DS1, West DS1, Existing DS1 and Existing DS2.

ODOT will be holding a public open house on December 4, 2009 from 4:30-6:00pm, with a presentation at 4:40 pm, at the Deschutes County Services Center, Barnes Room (1300 NW Wall Street). The purpose of the open house is to present the four down-scaled alternatives. You are invited to attend the meeting to view maps of the down-scaled alternatives and share your comments about them. Maps of the down-scaled alternatives can be found in the Alternatives Development and Screening section of the Document Library.

The next steps include:

• ODOT gathers input from the public on the down-scaled (lower cost) alternatives
• ODOT Regional Manager makes a final recommendation on the reasonable range of alternatives for detailed study and comparison in the Draft EIS
• Federal Highway Administration reviews and approves the reasonable range of alternatives for detailed study and comparison in the Draft EIS