The lack of safe, comfortable options in the heart of the city is currently hindering the mixed-use development needed to meet Bend’s critical housing and employment needs for the future. While US 97 and the BNSF railroad serve important roles in the regional transport of goods and people, they also functionally serve as a barrier to community connectivity and leave few comfortable options for people who are walking or biking between the east and west sides of Bend.
The City of Bend is being awarded $19,560,000 for construction of the new Hawthorne Avenue Crossing, a pedestrian and bicyclist crossing over US 97 (the Bend Parkway) and the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad along Hawthorne Avenue.
“I’ve long said that you can’t have a big league economy with little league infrastructure, and these grants are integral to put Oregon in the fast-lane to meeting safety and sustainability goals for Hood River, Bend, Medford and beyond,” Senator Wyden said. “Reimagining Oregon road projects benefit every Oregonian trying to get from point A to point B, while expanding job growth in communities that are in desperate need of updated transportation routes,” said Senator Merkley. “These RAISE grants will help create safer, more accessible, more efficient transportation for all-a goal we can all get behind.” Department of Transportation is awarding a total of nearly $45 million in federal funding from their Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program to projects in Hood River, Bend, and Jackson County. Earl Blumenauer, announced Monday that the U.S. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Rep. Here's the congressional delegation's announcement of the federal funding, with comments from Mayor Melanie Kebler:
More information on the Midtown Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossings can be found at /midtowncrossings. The Hawthorne Overcrossing is part of the larger Midtown Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing project, which seeks to improve east-west connectivity through safer walking and biking connections across the railroad and the parkway at Hawthorne, Franklin and Greenwood Avenues. “This investment is the single biggest step in building a city and connected transportation system that works for all of us." The Hawthorne Bridge is the key link in this effort,” said Bend City Councilor Anthony Broadman. “We are committed to sustainably and equitably reconnecting our city-east and west. The overcrossing will connect Downtown and the Bend Central District by providing safe and comfortable walking and biking opportunities.
The Hawthorne Overcrossing will be a pedestrian and bicycle only crossing that will provide a much-needed connection over Highway 97 and the railroad for east-west travel. “It is a significant step forward for economic development in the Central District and Downtown and joins two sides of the parkway that invites people to regularly travel between east and west whether that’s by walking, riding, or rolling. “The Hawthorne Overcrossing is so much more than a transportation project,” said Katy Brooks, CEO of the Bend Chamber of Commerce. “This funding for the critical and transformative Hawthorne Overcrossing project will help ensure Bend is a more equitable, healthy, and climate-resilient place for all.” These key areas of our City will accommodate more of Bend’s rapid growth in ways that deliver complete communities – places with more affordable housing options close to essential services, with nature nearby and convenient, safe ways to get around that don’t always require a car,” said Corie Harlan, Cities & Towns Program Manager of Central Oregon LandWatch. “The Midtown Crossings are vital to catalyzing redevelopment of Bend’s Central District and Core Area.
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