• Midtown Crossing project

    Midtown Crossing project

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  • Welcome to the Midtown Crossings Project open house!

  • The Midtown Crossings Project is improving east-west travel between downtown and the Central District and includes improvements to four key connections in the area: Greenwood Avenue, Hawthorne Avenue, Franklin Avenue and Second Street. This open house is focused on progress for Franklin Avenue.

    In this virtual open house you can:

    • Read updates on the project. 

    • Learn more about the upcoming changes to Franklin Avenue. 

    • Review the initial timeline for construction.

    Move through the pages in order with the "Next" button at the bottom, or click a tab at the top to jump to what interests you most. 


  • Franklin Avenue looking west.

  • Project Overview

  • The Midtown Crossings Project is improving east-west travel between downtown and the Central District and includes improvements to four key connections in the area: Greenwood Avenue, Hawthorne Avenue, Franklin Avenue and Second Street.

    This open house is focused on progress for Franklin Avenue.

  • Map of the Midtown Crossing Project areas. 

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    Timeline for the four Midtown Crossing Projects

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  • Updates on the other three projects

    Greenwood Avenue Corridor and Undercrossing

    In the summer of 2024, crews completed construction of a quick-build project to improve safety for everyone traveling on Greenwood. This included better crossings, new bike lanes and reconfigured travel lanes. Between September 2024 and June 2025, the team collected public feedback and conducted three traffic studies to gauge how well it is working. The new design on Greenwood Avenue will remain in place for the time being and data are still being collected. City Council will determine the next steps for this project.


    Greenwood Avenue today.

    Hawthorne Crossing

    We have selected a steel truss-style structure with a mountain theme for the Hawthorne Crossing bridge design. This design will provide a dedicated overcrossing for both bicycle and pedestrian traffic, ensuring safe and comfortable passage over US 97 and the railroad tracks. This option has lower construction and maintenance costs compared to the single-tower cable stay option.

    Due to federal funding requirements, The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is now managing the design and construction of the project. Design work will continue through 2027, and construction is expected in 2027-2028.

    Sign up on the ODOT website to keep in touch open in new tab icon

    Second Street Improvements

    We completed construction on Second Street in Spring 2025. This project brought Second Street in line with modern urban standards from Franklin Avenue to Greenwood Avenue. These improvements make biking, walking and rolling safer and more convenient between these two major corridors.

    New street features include:

    • 27,377 square feet of sidewalk on both sides of the street to allow safer walking, including for those accessing nearby businesses
    • 49 on-street parallel parking spots with new curbs to support future buildings that will not require on-site parking
    • 6 intersections were upgraded with curb extensions (bulb-outs) and ADA-accessible ramps for safer, more visible crossings
    • Bicycle symbols (also known as sharrow markings) painted in the motor-vehicle lanes, reminding drivers to share the road with bicycles
    • Improved street lighting
    • 56 trees and 188 other plants
    • 5 business driveways rebuilt or maintained
    • 14 new storm drains, 10 new catch basins, and 8 new dry wells
    • 2,502 feet of water lines and 446 feet of storm lines

  • Franklin Avenue Improvements

    What we heard from the community

    Thank you for your feedback at our open houses over the last two years. In 2024, we shared three street design options.

  • Summer 2024 community feedback:

    • Desire for more/better separation between travel modes
      • Especially with added landscaping and street trees
    • Concerns about visibility of people on bikes by drivers
    • Concerns about bikes getting hit by vehicles turning right at intersections

    This feedback led to a refined design for Franklin Avenue and three new design options for the Third Street intersection that better address safe turns for all.


    Previous open house for Midtown Crossings Project.

  • Winter 2024-25 community feedback:

    • Support for separation of travel modes through the Third Street intersection to reduce risk of conflict between pedestrians and cyclists
    • Concern about removal of right turn lane at Third Street
    • Ongoing concern over safety in the underpass (lighting and merging the bike lane with vehicles)

    Many participants also expressed appreciation for the project's safety improvements such as the raised protected bike lanes and traffic calming measures, and for the inclusion of street trees, stating that these enhancements would encourage people to bike.

    In 2025, the City chose a final design based on community input, maintenance requirements, safety considerations (particularly reduced risk of conflict between pedestrians and cyclists) and the needs of emergency services. The full design treatments are outlined on the following pages.

  • Franklin Avenue Improvements

    Overview

    This project will make driving, walking, biking, and rolling safer on Franklin Avenue from Harriman Street to Fifth Street.

    Franklin Avenue is a popular walking and biking route but can be congested on both the east and west sides of the undercrossing. People driving, biking, and walking or rolling often have little separation from each other. After extensive planning and community input we now have a full design for this route. Pending City Council funding approval we expect to begin construction this summer.


  • Completed Bend Bikeways portion of Franklin Avenue.

    Timeline for Franklin Avenue improvements.

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  • Franklin Avenue from Fourth Street to Eighth Street

    Improvements between Fourth and Eighth streets are now complete. This work was completed as part of the Bend Bikeway Project, which includes designing and building two connected and protected biking and walking key routes through the city: one north-south and one east-west. Improvements include:

    • Reduced conflict points to calm traffic and improve safety for everyone
    • Wider sidewalks and enhanced shared-use paths
    • New crosswalks for safer pedestrian and bicycle connections between neighborhoods, schools, parks, and trails
    • Crews will return in the springtime to complete landscaping work 
    • Franklin Avenue will be repaved from Fourth Street to Eighth Street once work between the undercrossing and Fourth Street are completed


    Another completed portion of Franklin Avenue as part of the Bend Bikeways project.

    Learn more about the Bend Bikeway Project open in new tab icon

  • Franklin Avenue Improvements

    Harriman Avenue to Fourth Street

    Based on community feedback, the City has chosen the "More Separation" design for the new Franklin Avenue improvements between Harriman Street and Fourth Street. This option was preferred by the public due to increased separation between modes of travel and potential landscaping opportunities.

    The new Franklin Avenue cross-section will include:

    • Sidewalks: 8 feet (6 feet from Third to Fifth streets)
    • Sidewalk-bike buffer: Varies, 5-8 feet of planter strip (on some portions), 1-foot buffer in others
    • Raised bike lanes: Mostly 6 feet (Shared bike/vehicle lane approaching the tunnel)
    • Bike-vehicle buffer: 4 feet of planter strip plus 2-foot buffer in most areas
    • Vehicle lanes: 11 feet
    • Vegetation/landscaping: The City will plant and maintain trees and landscaping in the City-owned strips. The roadside area will have limited vegetation options, most likely drought-tolerant native plants and rocks.
    Cross section rendering of the new Frankline Avenue design.

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    View the full PDF version of the designs open in new tab icon

  • Additional design features include:

    • Undercrossing access, lighting and fencing: See complete details for the undercrossing on the next page.
    • Roadway: A three-lane roadway with one lane in each direction and a center turn lane from First Street to Fourth Street.
    • Intersection updates: Changes at each of the Franklin Avenue intersections help integrate the low-stress bike network. Left turns will be removed at Harriman and Second streets.
    • Parking removal: We have heard that parking on Franklin is important for businesses and the development vision for Midtown. Parking spaces have been preserved where possible to support future access needs.
    • Stormwater management for improved drainage.
    • Upgraded traffic signs.
    • Underground water pipes will be replaced. 


    Franklin Avenue today.

  • Franklin Avenue Improvements

    Undercrossing Improvements

    Due to the complex nature of the undercrossing and the high costs of replacing two bridges, the roadway and sidewalk will not be changed directly under the bridges. Also, the Parkway Bridge is owned by ODOT and the railroad bridge is owned by BNSF.

    Designs involving the undercrossing still need to be reviewed and coordinated with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to ensure changes are consistent with historic character-defining features.

    Due to size limitations of the undercrossing, bikes going through the tunnel will have to merge with vehicles on the downhill side (entering the tunnel) but will get a bike lane on the uphill slope (exiting the tunnel). Bikes can also continue using the tunnel sidewalk as before and the design is intended to facilitate use of both.

    To make the tunnel more user-friendly and safer for people walking and biking, we will make the following improvements (all improvements are subject to ODOT, BNSF and SHPO review):

    • Add buffered bike lanes exiting the tunnels (going uphill). Shown in teal in image.
      • To do this we need to make more space with new retaining walls. Shown in red in image.
    • Close the bike access ramp to the parkway with a concrete closure wall.
      • This change will improve sightlines for people walking or riding on the sidewalk.
    Designs for the new undercrossing approaches.

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    View the full PDF version of the designs open in new tab icon

    With guidance from the State Historic Preservation Office, we can:

    • Select a new handrail for the sidewalk trail.
    • Choose appropriate lighting to improve visibility and nighttime access.
    • Improve stormwater drainage.

  • Third Street Intersection

  • We want to make this busy intersection safer for people on bikes.

    Considerations:

    • Right-of-way constraints on the southeast corner of the intersection
    • Concerns about right hooks by cars
    • Requests for a right-turn lane for cars

    These new designs prioritize safety by separating bike and vehicle traffic while allowing right-turn movements and ensuring drivers can more easily see people on bikes.

    The new Third Street intersection will have:

    • Widened curb ramps for pedestrian crossings
    • Lowered curbs at each corner for bikes to reposition before crossing
    • Dedicated vehicle right turn lanes from Franklin onto Third
    • Dedicated vehicle left turn lanes at each leg
    • Bike detection for signal activation


    Intersection of busy Third Street and Franklin Avenue looking east toward Bend Bikeway improvements. 

  • Third Street to Fourth Street will have separated bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides by acquiring some of the Safeway parking lot land.

    Designs for new Third Street intersection.

    🔍 View larger ↗

    View the full PDF version of the designs open in new tab icon

  • Schedule and Expected Construction Impacts

    Work on Franklin Avenue will be completed in phases to reduce impacts to travelers.

    Phase 1: May-June 2026 Night work only

    Replacing and upgrading underground water pipes from First Street to Fourth Street.

    • Night work only, 7 p.m. -7 a.m. During the day expect normal traffic flow.
    • Night work includes lane closures and occasional flagging, but traffic will be open in both directions.
      • This includes Franklin Avenue, Fourth Street, Third Street, Second Street and First Street

    Phase 2: June-December 2026 One-way traffic

    Complete street rebuilding from First Street to Fourth Street with traffic signal improvements at Third Street.

    • Day work, with occasional night work
    • One lane of one-way traffic open on Franklin Avenue
    • Third Street will remain open, with at least one lane in each direction
      • Occasional night work on Third Street will require flagging and short traffic delays, but will avoid heavy traffic periods

    Phase 2A: September-Thanksgiving 2026 Full closure

    Begin undercrossing work in the second half of Phase 2 to install water and stormwater facilities from Hill Street to First Street.

    • Requires full closure of Franklin Avenue from Hill Street to First Street.
      • Detour routes will include Greenwood Avenue, Olney Avenue or Colorado Avenue.
    • One side of the undercrossing path will remain open at all times for pedestrians and bikes.

    The undercrossing will be temporarily reopened from Thanksgiving day through New Years day.

    Phase 3: January-June 2027 Full closure

    Complete street rebuilding continues from Harriman Street to First Street. This work will include right-of-way changes, utility work and street improvements. Crews will also build new retaining walls near the undercrossing.

    • Day work, with occasional night work
    • Requires full closure of Franklin Avenue from Harriman Street to First Street
    • One side of the undercrossing path will remain open at all times for pedestrians and bikes
    • Portions may be opened early as they are completed

    Please allow extra travel time for delays and detours during each phase.

    Dates are estimates and subject to change. Exact dates and routes will be published on the project website and sent by email prior to any closures. 

    The construction schedule is dependent on approval by City Council in June.

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  • Next Steps

    Thank you for participating in the Midtown Crossing Project - Franklin Avenue online open house.

    If you have any thoughts, questions or concerns for the final phase of Franklin improvements please let us know below. 

    Sign up for project emails to stay in touch and learn more as we move into construciton.

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