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  • Oregon Department of Transportation

    Hawthorne Crossing

    Online Open House #2

  • This online open house is now closed. The content is still available for viewing, but we are no longer accepting submissions. Thank you for your participation!

  • Welcome!

    We’re excited to give an update on the progress that’s been made on the Hawthorne Crossing over the last year! Design details and construction plans are coming together for the new bicycle and pedestrian bridge to connect east and west Bend.

    Today you can:

    • Learn more about the project.
    • Learn about design details for:
      • Landings and street connections
      • Bridge layout
      • Landscaping and visual features
    • Share your comments on lighting, color palettes, and other design details.
  • Hawthorne Crossing

    Hawthorne Crossing

    Online Open House #2

  • Project overview

    The Hawthorne Crossing will connect Hawthorne Avenue with a pedestrian bridge over both the railroad and the Bend Parkway (U.S. 97). Street level improvements on Hawthorne Avenue will connect the bridge to the City's low stress network for biking and walking at Harriman Street and Second Street. This will create a calmer, safer connection for people biking, walking and rolling between east and west Bend.

    Why do we need a new bridge?

    U.S. 97 and the railroad create a barrier to easily travel east-west through the City. There are few safe, comfortable places to cross by bike, on foot or with a mobility device. The Hawthorne Crossing, along with the Bend Bikeway, will improve connections, offer more ways to travel and make Bend easier to live in.

    The new bridge supports the City's goals for sustainable growth by helping to reduce vehicle miles traveled through increased walking, biking and transit use.

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  • Benefits and funding

    Benefits of the new east–west route

    • Connection: Provides a connection between downtown and the Central District (the area between the Parkway and Fourth Street) and many popular destinations, transit and mobility hubs.
    • Safety: Provides a safer, more comfortable and more visible route for people biking, walking and rolling.
    • Mobility: Offers a wide pathway that will be comfortable for all users.
    • Access: Improves access to jobs, schools, services and other daily needs, especially for people with limited incomes and people walking, using a mobility device, or riding a bike.
    • Economic development: Supports the vision of the Bend Core Area Plan. The nearby industrial area is envisioned to transition to a mixed-use area, supporting complete community goals to co-locate housing and employment alongside community services and amenities.
    • Reduce congestion: Gives travelers a safe and comfortable alternative to driving, which can help ease congestion.
    • Environmental sustainability: Invests in active travel options that can help improve air quality.

    Funding

    The total bridge is expected to cost $32 million. The City of Bend is contributing $1 million in local funds. The remaining $31 million will come from state and federal sources:

    • $20 million from the federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program
    • $5 million from Oregon Lottery funds through state House Bill 5030
    • $5.7 million from federal Congressionally Directed Spending funds
    • $1 million from Oregon Community Paths Program

  • Timeline

    Current phase: Final design

    We're completing the design for the new bridge. We know the new bridge will:

    • Have an iconic mountain themed design.
    • Be a steel truss structure.
    • Provide an 18-foot shared-use path for people walking, biking or rolling.
    • Connect to Harriman Street and Third Street.

    We still need to:

    • Refine visual treatments, accessories, and furnishings.
    • Fine-tune the design documents to be ready for construction.

    What's next: Construction

    In November 2027, the project will start contracting for construction. Once the construction team is in place we can refine the schedule and better understand the public impacts. So far, we know the choice of a steel truss bridge will allow for faster construction. By assembling the main span of the bridge on Hawthorne Avenue and then lifting it into place over the Parkway and railroad tracks, the team can cut down on closure time of the Parkway. We expect short-term closures and up to two full-weekend closures of U.S. 97.

    Note: When construction begins, the Parkway exit and entrance at Hawthorne Avenue will be closed permanently.

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  • Hawthorne Crossing

    Hawthorne Crossing

    Online Open House #2

  • A Bridge shaped by feedback

  • Conversations about a new bike and pedestrian crossing of the Parkway and railroad tracks in Midtown Bend have been underway for two decades. Public engagement has played a large role in the planning and design process. Each phase has refined specifics, but the original community vision for the bridge has remained.

  • Timeline - planning and decisions

    1. 2004-2019

      • Central Area Plan
      • Bend Central District Multi-Modal Mixed-Use Area Plan
      • Hawthorne Avenue Bridge Feasibility Memo
      • Bend Core Area Project Urban Design Framework

      Early planning in 2004 identified Hawthorne Avenue as the best location for a new separated crossing of the Parkway and railroad. Over the next 15 years this need was reconfirmed with additional planning work, and a bridge was determined to be safer and less costly than a tunnel.

    2. 2020

      Transportation System Plan

      Placed the Hawthorne Bridge project on the priority list for future funding, following extensive public engagement.

      Bend Transportation General Obligation Bond

      GO Bond approved by voters, provided funding for the bridge and other Midtown Crossings.

      Hawthorne Crossing Preliminary Alignment Summary

      Considered different alignment options and whether to include an elevator or stairs in the bridge access.

    3. 2022

      Bend Midtown Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossings Feasibility Study

      Evaluated three alignments with rough cost estimates, determining that straight approaches with long ramps and landings would best meet the needs of the community. The idea of a “three sisters” visual element emerged with public support.

    4. 2024

      The Midtown Crossing Hawthorne Bridge Visioning Report

      City Council selected a single-tower cable-stay bridge and agreed to support the closure of the Parkway exit and entrance at Hawthorne Avenue. Most public comments supported the closure due to safety concerns.

    5. 2025

      Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant

      Funding from this federal grant program allows the project to move into design and construction. ODOT oversees the final phase to meet federal requirements.

    6. 2025-2030

      Hawthorne Crossing Project

      Current work to design and build the new bridge. A truss bridge type was selected to reduce construction time and cost, in line with earlier public priorities.

  • "This bridge is a key step to elevate Bend in terms of sustainability, health, and becoming a people-forward city.” - Bend resident

  • Hawthorne Crossing

    Hawthorne Crossing

    Online Open House #2

  • The design: mountain steel truss bridge

    The new Hawthorne Crossing bridge is being designed to evoke the breath-taking mountain scenery surrounding Bend.

    How this design meets community goals:

    • Traffic demand on the Parkway would not allow construction of a footing in the median, which would have been required with a single-tower bridge. This information allowed the team to revisit the options, and public preference indicated a desire for the truss style.
    • The steel truss bridge type will be easier to construct as it won't require a footing in the middle of the Parkway. The truss structure can be manufactured offsite and then lifted into place, requiring less construction time.
    • This bridge type is lower cost to build and has lower annual maintenance costs.
    A rust-colored steel truss bridge spans the Parkway and railroad tracks, its peaked truss shapes echoing the mountains on the horizon behind it.

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    New rendering of the bridge looking north from the Parkway

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    Aerial rendering of the bridge facing southwest

  • Accessibility: bridge slope

    Ramps will be fully ADA compliant with several extended landings (flat sections) along the way. Alternating ramps and landings help keep bike traffic slow coming down, and allows people places to rest going up.

  • Side view drawing of the bridge. A long, gradual ramp rises from street level to the main truss span over the northbound and southbound Bend Parkway. A metal screen encloses the space under part of the ramp.

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  • Alignment

    Conversations with community members showed support for centering the bridge along Hawthorne Avenue, and removing vehicle access along Hawthorne between First and Second streets. This is similar to the bridge design between Hill Street and the Parkway, so now both sides will be aligned with no vehicle traffic next to the bridge.

    Aerial plan of Hawthorne Ave from NW Harriman St to NE 3rd St. From west to east: street improvements, a landing and approach ramp, the bridge over the Bend Parkway and railroad, another approach and landing between 1st and 2nd streets, then street improvements to 3rd St. Callouts note that the Harriman intersection, and the 3rd St intersection with part of Hawthorne, will be improved under separate projects.

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    Cross section of a 60-foot right-of-way. From left to right: sidewalk, planting strip, the raised bridge approach with an 18-foot shared-use path on top, planting strip, sidewalk, and planting strip.

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    Cross section image of the landings and sidewalks at street level.

  • Parking

    The selected alignment provides some space under the bridge on the east side for public parking spaces.

  • Under bridge areas

    Public feedback

    Neighbors around both ends of the bridge are enthusiastic about the potential for activating the spaces under and around the bridge landings. Some ideas that came out in an April 2026 meeting include: active recreation areas, event space, vendor pop-ups, and public art. The project team has documented these ideas and shared them with appropriate agencies such as Bend Park & Recreation District. For now, construction of these areas will be simplified for development later as funding becomes available.

  • Hawthorne Crossing

    Hawthorne Crossing

    Online Open House #2

  • Landings

    Landings are the connection points where the bridge meets the ground. Both sides of the bridge will include:

    • Raised intersections (at Second Street and Hill Street) with curb bump outs at the corners to increase visibility of pedestrians and shorten crosswalk distances.
    • Planting areas to make the area welcoming and provide shade.
    • Seating along the path for places to pause.
    • Special pavement treatment to show the bridge is ending and slow traffic.
    • Bollards (vertical poles) separating pedestrian and bike paths from driveways.
    • Stormwater facilities to collect bridge water runoff.
    • Connections to nearby sidewalks and bike ways.

    To create a sense of place, each end of the bridge will have unique elements.

    The landing on the west end of the bridge will have:

    • Curving, organic feel, inspired by local nature.
    • Low, curved planter walls.
    • Decorative fence paneling along bridge (see “Under the bridge” page).
    Rendering of the west landing: a wide path lined with low, curved planter walls and plantings runs alongside a residential street.

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    Plan view of the west end along Hawthorne Ave, from Harriman St to U.S. 97. Between Harriman and Hill streets: a westbound travel lane with parking, a sidewalk on the north side, and a promenade on the south side. At Hill St, a raised intersection leads to the landing, then the bridge approach lined with plantings and fence panels below the bridge, then the bridge over U.S. 97 and the railroad. A callout notes improvements west of this area will be made in a separate project.

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    The landing on the east side of the bridge will have:

    • Linear, angled feel, inspired by local geology.
    • Large open, paved space for events.
    • Raised planters.
    • Parking under the bridge.
    Rendering of the east landing at dusk: a wide, lit paved space with angular raised planters and benches, where people sit and gather near neighboring businesses.

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    Plan view of the east end along Hawthorne Ave, from the railroad to 3rd St. The bridge continues over the railroad and 1st St, then the bridge approach with parking below, then the landing, which extends to a raised intersection at 2nd St. Between 2nd and 3rd streets: a westbound travel lane with parking, a sidewalk on the north side, and a promenade on the south side. A callout notes improvements east of this area will be made in a separate project.

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  • Connecting to Bend's biking and walking network

    We've heard it's essential to connect the bridge with the rest of the City. The design team has looked at how to improve Hawthorne Avenue from Hill Street to Harriman Street, and Second Street to Third Street to access the bridge more easily and safely. A Promenade Street design was selected for improvements to these two blocks.

    Public feedback

    During public outreach last winter, the Promenade Street option was preferred by 41% of participants (out of 139).

    The Promenade Street includes:

    • A raised shared pedestrian and bike way on the south side of the street.
    • A sidewalk on the north side of the street.
    • One-way westbound vehicle lane.
    • On-street parking on the north side of the street.
    • More planting areas.

    Example of Promenade Street.

  • Hawthorne Crossing

    Hawthorne Crossing

    Online Open House #2

  • Under the bridge

    Walls

    The approaches to the bridge will be constructed of concrete retaining walls with a textured surface. We are looking at two design options for the wall surface texture. The team will make a decision on which surface to move forward with based on public input, cost, and overall project design.

    Concrete wall texture with thin, irregular vertical ridges of varying widths, giving a rough, organic look. Concrete wall texture with smooth, rounded vertical ribs in a more regular pattern.

    Concrete wall example surface textures

    Side view drawing of the bridge. A long, gradual ramp rises from street level to the main truss span over the northbound and

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    Plan view of the west approach next to the Bend Parkway. The landing approach leads to the bridge, and metal screen enclosures run along both sides and the east end of the space under the ramp. Rows of trees line both sides.

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    Fencing

    We need to design the space under each end of the bridge, beyond the Parkway and railroad areas. This space may be converted later for public use, if funds become available. For now, the area west of the Parkway will be used for storage, so we need to install fencing to keep it protected. We are in the process of developing a fence design that secures the storage area without creating an imposing, opaque barrier. Some examples we are considering as we develop the fence design are shown here.

    Silver metal panels perforated with rows of holes, set at angles to each other. See-through fence of thin black vertical bars at slightly uneven angles. Black metal slats in diagonal stripes that form peaked, mountain-like shapes. Rust-colored weathered steel panel with rows of small cutouts. White perforated metal wall where the holes vary in size to create a wavy pattern.

    Fence example compositions and materials

  • To record your responses, be sure to click or tap the “Submit” button on the last page.

  • Hawthorne Crossing

    Hawthorne Crossing

    Online Open House #2

  • Materials and colors

    The materials and colors of the bridge, furnishings and street areas will be rooted in the local Bend environment, evoking the character of the mountains and Deschutes River. The swatches shown below represent the character that will be expressed. They are still being studied and have not been finalized.

    Whitewater rushing through a narrow, rocky canyon lined with pine trees.

    Inspiration image of the Deschutes River

    Color Palette

    Color palette with a simple drawing of the bridge edge, a light pole, bollard, and bike rack. Bridge and built-in elements: weathering steel, concrete, and galvanized steel. Bike racks, bollards, and light poles: light yellow-green, sage green, dark olive green, and charcoal; final products and colors still under study. Pavement: tan textured concrete and light gray concrete.

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    Lighting

    There will be three types of lighting on the bridge. All of them meet dark sky regulations.

    • Rendering of the bridge at dusk, with lights glowing along the peaked truss.

      Decorative lighting on the mountain peaks will create a gentle glowing look at night.

    • A curving path at night, lit only by a low strip of light along the handrail.

      Lighting will be placed in the handrails for better visibility for people crossing at night and safety. Example from Mirror Pond Path.

    • A row of black lantern-style light poles along a paved path.

      Landings will have street lighting on poles with downward covers to keep the space welcoming at night.

  • Our goal with lighting is to provide a welcoming and safe space while being dark sky compliant for our wildlife and neighbors. Do you think these options meet this goal?

  • To record your responses, be sure to click or tap the “Submit” button on the last page.

  • Hawthorne Crossing

    Hawthorne Crossing

    Online Open House #2

  • Historic preservation

    As a part of this project, historic resources are being identified near the new bridge location.

    Lucas House

    One historic property is the residence at 42 NW Hawthorne Ave, known as the Lucas House or the Bunk + Brew. The Lucas House is considered an eligible property for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) (Criteria B and C) for:

    • its association with Sadie Lucas, a prominent woman and fixture in Bend society
    • its architectural merit (a Swiss Chalet Craftsman) and construction style, the first brick building in Bend.

    Due to the historic nature and significance of the residence, the project will monitor vibrations in relation to the Lucas House throughout construction. Vibration monitoring nodes will be placed on the building for continuous monitoring.

    The Lucas House, a two-story red brick building with a steep gabled roof and decorative white Swiss Chalet-style trim on the upper story.

    Bishop/Myers House

    A second resource has also been identified as potentially being eligible for the NRHP: the Bishop/Myers House at 155 NE Hawthorne Ave. The stone veneer residence was built by Allen C. Bishop, a stone mason and prolific contractor in the development of early Bend. This was the primary home for his daughter, Bernice (Bishop) Myers and her husband, Chester Myers, a veteran of WWII and the Korean War.

    The Bishop/Myers House, a small one-story home with dark stone walls, a steep green roof, and a stone chimney.

    We anticipate at least one additional historic property will be identified and documented for this project.

    A part of the mitigation for the project and its effects on these historic properties is the installation of, at least one interpretive panel on the pedestrian crossing, which will highlight the history of the neighborhood. Additional mitigation is anticipated, and we look forward to further community input on this topic.

  • Hawthorne Crossing

    Hawthorne Crossing

    Online Open House #2

  • Next Steps

    Thank you for participating in this online open house.

    Your feedback will help us confirm that we are moving in the right direction for this work. 

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

  • Would you like to sign up for project emails?

  • To record your responses, be sure to click or tap the “Submit” button below.

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