• Aune Safety and Connectivity Project

    Aune Safety and Connectivity Project

    Online Open House #2

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  • Welcome to the second open house!

    In this online open house you can learn about:

    • What's included with this project
    • What we heard from the community last spring
    • Proposed street designs for:
      • Aune Street, Scott Street and Second Street
      • The Third Street and Miller Avenue Intersection
      • Miller Avenue between Second Street and Third Street
      • The shared-use path for Third Street between Burnside and Miller
      • Pedestrian crossings at the Third Street and Burnside Avenue intersection

  • Aerial photo of Aune Avenue.

  • Click on "Next" to continue or click the tabs at the top to jump to what you want to see.

    • Transportation Talk 

    • Engineers and planners use lots of technical language to define transportation concepts. Here is a decoder for the rest of us!

      • Key Routes: Main routes in the City designed to be less stressful for people walking and bicycling that help people get across town safely and get to key destinations like schools and parks. Examples include off street multi-use paths, buffered, separated, raised and/or painted bike lanes, and widened sidewalks. Think of these as "highways" for biking and walking. (This is a term from the Bend Transportation System Plan.)
        • Key Route 7, from Aune Street to Scott Street and up Third Street to Burnside Avenue, is a central focus for this project
        • Key Routes 1, 9 and 10 also connect in this project area
      • Low stress network: A network of streets and crossings (including the Key Routes) designed to allow everyone to travel safely and comfortably when biking, walking or driving. Think of these as "local roads" for biking and walking.
      • Protected bike facility: A facility for bikes that has a physical, stationary or vertical separation between cars and bikes - like a curb or plastic pole.
      • Shared-use path: A wide path for people walking, biking, or rolling that's separate from vehicles. Shared-use paths can provide a less stressful experience for transportation or recreation uses. A shared-use path can be part of a key route.
      • Complete Street: A street that includes space for biking, space for walking or rolling, and space for vehicles (including transit). A complete street is designed and maintained to enable safe, comfortable, connected, and reliable travel by people of all ages and abilities across all travel modes.
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  • Overview

  • Located at the geographic heart of Bend, this area is missing critical east-west connections for all modes of transportation. With increasing traffic and new apartments, shops and restaurants coming soon, improvements are essential. By adding complete street connections and safety improvements, the project will make driving safer and walking and biking more comfortable. It will also strengthen connections between the Old Mill District and east Bend.

    This open house presents solutions for easier east-west travel.

    Project Benefits

    This project is part of the City of Bend's continuing work to improve safety, connectivity and access for people walking, biking and driving as our community grows. With these goals in mind, the City is looking to improve several intersections and streets at the southern end of Bend's Core Area.

    Map of the Aune Safety and Connectivity project area in Bend, Oregon, showing planned pedestrian upgrades, shared-use paths, intersection improvements, and key bicycle routes 1, 7, 9, and 10. Map of the project area.

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  • If approved, these upgrades will:

    • Reduce areas where vehicles can conflict
    • Improve accessibility for all users, supporting east-west connectivity
    • Connect this area to the existing grid of walkable streets
    • Improve crossing safety for pedestrians and cyclists
    • Reduce stress levels on key routes for cyclists and pedestrians, especially Key Route 7 which runs through this project area
    • Provide completely built streets for improved mobility between Bond Street and Third Street

     

    Note: As part of future development, a private company will be responsible for building roadway improvements between the Aune undercrossing of the Bend Parkway and Bond Street, improving both Scalehouse Loop and Industrial Way.

  • Funding

    Project design is funded through the Bend General Obligation Bond, Capital Improvement Program funding and a grant through Oregon Department of Transportation ARTS Program (All Roads Transportation Safety).

  • Project Timeline

    Summer 2024 Feasibility study completed
    Spring 2025 Project design started
    September 2025 Public Open House #1: The public weighed in on initial improvement ideas
    Fall-Winter 2025 Design
    Winter-Summer 2026 (Current Phase) Final design, including permitting and acquiring right-of-way
    April 2026 Online Public Open House #2: Welcome! You've made it. Tell us what you think about the proposed designs.
    Winter 2026-2027 Pre-construction Open House: Learn about the construction schedule and detour routes
    Early 2027 Anticipated start of construction

    Project staff member gestures toward display boards while speaking with two community members at the first Aune Safety and Connectivity open house.
    Project staff speaking with community members at the first Aune Safety and Connectivity open house.

  • What We Heard from the Community

    In September 2025, the project team hosted an open house to gather public input on the proposed improvements. Key themes from the survey included:

  • Miller Avenue and Third Street intersection

    • There was a slight public preference for two-lane options because they improve safety and offer shorter crossing distances.
    • Others had concern about impacts to traffic with removing the second lane sooner.

    Miller Avenue between Second and Third streets

    • Participants showed preference for the design option with a shared-use path on one side and a sidewalk with a bike lane on the other.

    Third Street shared-use path

    • Participants supported a shared-use path on Third Street.

    Burnside Avenue and Third Street intersection

    • The full intersection median with two crossings was much preferred by participants over the option that offered one south-side crossing.

  • Additionally, community members had concerns about making left turns at Aune Street and Scott Street, especially by bike. Third Street was frequently described as very difficult to navigate by bike and challenging to cross on foot. Some also noted high vehicle speeds on Third Street, particularly near the undercrossing where drivers often speed up to "get ahead."

  • Street Safety and Connectivity Improvements

  • The full picture of where bicycle and pedestrian improvements will go is shown below. Either a shared use path or complete sidewalks and bike lanes will extend throughout the project area. Keep reading for complete details and other vehicle improvements for each location.

    Aerial overview map of planned safety improvements showing shared-use paths along SE Aune Street and SE Third Street, with protected crossings and signalized intersections marked. Overview of planned safety improvements.

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  • Street Safety and Connectivity Improvements

  • Aune Street and Scott Street Intersection

    The project team considered several options to better connect this area and provide appropriate biking and walking space. The available right-of-way and nearby buildings were considered in developing the safest option.

    The new design at the intersection of Aune Street and Scott Street will include:

    • A safe crossing with a center median across Scott Street to better connect to the shared-use path.
    • New crosswalk striping and signage to cross Aune Street.
    • Aune Street is maintained with a stop sign and Scott Street has free-flow traffic (i.e., no stop sign).
    • A dedicated left-turn lane from Aune Street to Scott Street northbound, improving access and safety.
    Aerial design rendering of the Aune Street and Scott Street intersection showing a new center median, crosswalk striping, and a dedicated left-turn lane on SE Aune Street. Aune Street and Scott Street intersection design adds safer crossings.

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  • Scott Street from Aune Street to Second and Third Streets

    We heard that many feel uncomfortable traveling this section of road due to the curve that limits sightlines, limited lighting and high vehicle speeds. It can also be tricky to make left turns, especially by bike, in this area.

    To make Scott Street safer for everyone, especially around the curve at Second Street, we're adding:

    • A new shared-use path on the northeast side of Scott Street, extending from Aune Street to the Third Street shared-use path, creating a continuous route for the City's Low-Stress Network (Key Route 7).
    • Marked on-street parking on the south side with a sidewalk between Second and Third streets.
    • Crosswalks at Second Street and Railroad Street for a connected route.
    • New pavement markings, upgraded signs, and better lighting for improved visibility
    • Reflective markers along the curve to help keep vehicles in their lane


    Example of reflective markers to help drivers see the lane.

    These improvements aim to help drivers and pedestrians see more clearly and navigate the intersection with greater confidence.

    The existing northbound bike lane will be removed starting from Scott Street north to make space for the shared use path but the southbound protected bike lane on Second Street will remain.

  • Street Safety and Connectivity Improvements

  • Third Street and Miller Avenue Intersection

    Several safety and connectivity needs have been identified at the Third Street and Miller Avenue intersection that are essential for safe and efficient travel now and in the future. We also heard from the community that this intersection does not feel safe for many people when trying to cross Third Street on foot or for vehicles trying to make left turns.

    Bend's Transportation System Plan also identifies east-to-west movement across the intersection as part of the bicycle Low-Stress Network, meaning crossing safety is a priority along this busy corridor.

    Four lanes with a traffic signal

    Bike and Pedestrian Improvements:
    • Add crosswalks on Third Street on the north and south side of the intersection with a signalized phase for crossings.
    • Add crosswalks on Miller Street on the east and west side of the intersection.
    • Require minimal curb reconstruction around the intersection.
    Vehicle Improvements:
    • Add a traffic signal to improve safety and reduce crashes.
    • Keep northbound and southbound left-turn lanes at Miller Avenue.
    • Add a median on Third Street between Miller Avenue and Davis Avenue.
      • The median will allow people traveling south on Third to turn left onto Davis or Miller eastbound.
        • Turning left from northbound Third onto Davis will not be allowed.
      • From Davis (east and west) only right turns onto Third will be allowed.
    Aerial design rendering of Third Street and Miller Avenue intersection highlighting two circled areas: a right-in/right-out turn restriction near SE Davis Avenue and a new signalized intersection at SE Miller Avenue.

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    Design of Third Street and Miller Avenue highlighting intersection improvement areas.

    View full plan PDF open in new tab icon


  • Example of a median preventing right turns, but allowing one-way left turns.

  • Miller Avenue between Second Street and Third Street

    We will improve the block of Miller Avenue between Second Street and Third Street to support the new intersection treatments and increase access for people biking on the Low-Stress Network.

    Shared-use Path and Sidewalks

    • We will build a shared-use path on the north side of Miller Avenue.
    • The south side of the street will have a buffered bike lane and a sidewalk.
    • This work will not require rebuilding the existing curb on the south side of the intersection.
    • The project will include additional signage for bicyclists to access the path from all directions.
    Street rendering and cross-section diagram of SE Miller Avenue facing east, showing a 60-foot right-of-way with a 10-foot shared-use path, parking, two vehicle lanes, a 6-foot bike lane, and a sidewalk. Cross section view facing east of the proposed Miller Avenue design.

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  • Street Safety and Connectivity Improvements

  • Third Street Shared-Use Path between Burnside and Miller 

  • This section of Third Street between Burnside and Miller is part of Bend's Key Route 7 and the Low-Stress Network for biking and walking. Many people commented that they don't feel safe or comfortable riding or walking through this tunnel on the path or road--with bike lanes that aren't separated from traffic.

    Improvements will include a 10-foot-wide shared-use path along the west side of Third Street to improve safety for people biking, walking and rolling. The railroad bridge cannot be changed, so the path through the tunnel will remain the same width. The new shared-use path will make it easier to access the tunnel and allow more space before and after the tunnel for passing.

    To make these improvements we will:

    • Remove the old sidewalk and build a 10-foot-wide path.
    • Dig out the hillside behind the sidewalk to extend the path to the west (keeping the street side of the path where it is now).
    • Add crosswalks on Railroad Street, next to Third Street, to better connect from Scott Street.
    • Install curb ramps at the Davis Street and Scott Street intersections for better access to the path.
    • Install new handrails in the portion approaching the undercrossing.

    The undercrossing tunnel will stay 4-5 feet wide.

    • This crossing will change when the bridge reaches the end of its usable life and the railroad owner replaces it.
    • This is an ideal project to add to Bend's long-range transportation plan.

  • Third Street Shared Use Path North

    Aerial design plan of NW Third Street north of the BNSF Overcrossing, showing a proposed shared-use path along the west side of the road. An inset cross-section diagram shows pedestrians and a cyclist on a raised path cut into the hillside beside the tunnel opening at Burnside Avenue.

    Third Street Shared Use Path South

    Aerial design plan of NW Third Street south of the BNSF Overcrossing, showing a proposed shared-use path along the west side between SE Railroad Street and SE Davis Avenue. Inset cross-section shows pedestrians and a cyclist on the raised path at the tunnel exit near SE Scott Street.

  • Street Safety and Connectivity Improvements

  • Third Street and Burnside Avenue Intersection

    Changes to the Burnside Avenue intersection will make it safer and easier for people to cross Third Street when walking, biking or rolling.

    The selected design treatment will include:

    • A full center median with flashing beacons on Third Street north-south through the intersection.
      • This median provides a place for pedestrians to pause while crossing, reducing the number of lanes a pedestrian needs to cross at one time.
      • A median also restricts left-turn vehicle movements at the intersection, reducing the number of vehicles crossing the pedestrian path.
      • People walking or biking can cross Third Street, but cars cannot.
    • Crosswalks on the north and the south sides of the median with rapid flashing beacons to draw attention of drivers to people waiting to cross.
    • Curb extensions to reduce crossing distances and increase visibility of people waiting to cross.
    • Curb ramps on all corners to allow people on wheels to cross on each side.
    • Moving the location of the southbound merge lane farther north, between Dekalb Avenue and Clay Avenue.
    • Moving the start of the second northbound lane farther north, between Clay Avenue and Dekalb Avenue.
    Aerial design rendering of Third Street and Burnside Avenue intersection showing a full center median with pedestrian refuge, crosswalks on all sides, and curb extensions. Designs for the new Third Street and Burnside Avenue intersection.

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    Example of a full intersection median with flashing beacons.

    View full plan PDF open in new tab icon

  • Next Steps

  • Thank you for taking the time to learn more about this project and provide your feedback!

    We are finalizing these design details over the next few months. Construction should begin in early 2027. We will circle back with a pre-construction open house, expected next winter, to share details on what to expect during construction.

    If you would like to receive project updates and be notified of the next open house, please add your name and email below.

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