ODOT has formed a Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) to ensure the values and interests of the community are considered throughout the project. The CAC provides a critical link between the project and the community. Individuals on the CAC represent community interests such as:

• Neighborhoods
• Local businesses
• Pedestrian and bicycle facilities
• Freight movement
• Safety
• Land use and the environment

The role of the CAC is to raise important community issues, concerns and ideas to ODOT throughout the project. The CAC meets periodically and at key project milestones. You can find CAC agendas and meeting minutes in the document library. CAC meeting dates, times and locations are posted on this website (see right-hand column).

ODOT has also formed a Steering Team for the project. The Steering Team includes representatives from the City of Bend, Deschutes County, CAC Chairperson, and ODOT. The Steering Team’s role is to:

• Consider input from the public, CAC and Agency Coordination Committee
• Understand technical data and analysis provided by the Project Management Team
• Provide input on policy implications to local and regional agencies

Upon considering the above information, the Steering Team is responsible for making recommendations to the ODOT Region Manager at key project milestones. These project milestones include:

• Purpose and Need – Why is the project needed? (Summer - Fall 2007)
• Goals and Objectives – What does the project attempt to achieve?
  (Summer - Fall 2007)
• Alternatives that are forwarded into the DEIS for further detailed study (2009)*
• Preferred Alternative (Preferred Solution) (2010-2011)*

*As of September 2009, the project is in a pause which could extend the project schedule 4 to 6 months. The project milestone dates will be updated in the near future.

ODOT meets with the Steering Team every other month and at key project milestones. These meetings are open to the public. You can find Steering Team agendas and meeting minutes from public sessions in the document library.

The Agency Coordination Committee provides interagency coordination for the project on technical issues and statewide, regional and local planning efforts. The Agency Coordination Committee provides input to the Project Management Team, Steering Team and CAC and meets when needed to address technical issues as they arise on the project. The Agency Coordination Committee includes representatives from the Federal Highway Administration, ODOT, the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), Deschutes County, Bend’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the City of Bend.

The Project Management Team consists of ODOT, Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, and consultant staff. This team is responsible for project management, engineering, transportation analysis, environmental compliance and public involvement.

The CAC, Steering Team, Agency Coordination Committee and public have important roles in reviewing project materials and providing community input to ODOT. Input from these committees will help ODOT make informed recommendations about the project to help develop the best long-term solution for US 97. Ultimately, the ODOT Region Manager is responsible for project recommendations, which are subject to Federal Highway Administration approval.