The reopening of the busy intersection at NE Neff Road and NE Purcell Boulevard is being delayed until sometime this fall, the City of Bend announced Thursday. The city says the project “has been experiencing longer than expected infrastructure relocation and design adjustment work.”
“We regret that the delays will impact the project schedule, and we understand the inconvenience this will cause,” the city said in a statement. “However, the project team is committed to exploring tactics that will improve the timeline and open the roadway as soon as possible.”
The city did not give more specific information about the issues. Central Oregon Daily News is reaching out for details.
>>> Central Oregon Daily News is on YouTube. Click here to subscribe and share our videos.
A specific date for the opening was not given. The previous scheduled opening was for sometime in mid-summer.
The closure has been a point of frustration for many drivers who use the intersection that is near Pilot Butte Middle School and the St. Charles Hospital campus. Local food truck vendors have also voiced concern about how the closure could affect business.
RELATED: 15th and Wilson roundabout is opening, but more Wilson construction soon
RELATED: Why so many Bend road projects happening at once? Drivers voice opinions.
RELATED: People are driving on sidewalks to get around Neff-Purcell closure
RELATED: Bend food cart yard owner fears Neff-Purcell closure will hurt business
Compounding the issue is the construction work happening on surrounding streets — some of which are part of the designated detour route for the Neff-Purcell closure.
In the early days of the closure, some drivers were going around the closure signs and going through the intersection anyway. Police told us some were even driving on the sidewalks.
“We will make every effort to try to minimize the inconvenience caused by this work. However, we ask for your understanding and patience in this regard. We appreciate your support as we tackle this unforeseen issue,” the city said.
Here is the latest on the project from the city:
Construction – May 18-June 2
Purcell Extension
Processing of the excavated and hammered material continues. The crushed rock will be repurposed for pipeline backfill and to change the grade of Neff Road through the intersection.
Subgrade prep work begins for the sidewalk, curbs and roadway.
Neff and Purcell Intersection
The franchise utilities, such as power, internet, etc., continue relocating their facilities to ideal locations and depths. The contractor continues with excavation work.
Required tree removal will be taking place to make room for additional turn lanes and sidewalks. Trees will be preserved when feasible. New trees and landscape plants will be added as part of the project. See what trees will be preserved, removed and planted on the Landscape Exhibits on the project website.
Detour routes:
-
- Eastbound (south option) – go south on 8th Street, east on Greenwood Avenue, north on 27th Street
- Eastbound (north option) – go north on 8th Street, east on Butler Market Road and south on 27th Street
- Westbound (south option) – go south on 27th Street, west on Greenwood Avenue, north on 8th Street
- Westbound (north option) – go north on 27th Street, west on Butler Market Road and south on 8th Street
Interactive Traffic Impacts Map
You may also monitor current and upcoming detours and closures at bendoregon.gov/traffic.
Project Communications
The City is committed to keeping neighbors, businesses and the community informed throughout the project through public informational meetings, mailings, emails and the project website. For more information, contact the project team at neffpurcell@bendoregon.gov.
Please contact us if you need any additional materials that would be helpful to spread the word to your patients, clients, customers and delivery personnel regarding detouring and closures.
Share the website information where others can also sign up for updates: bendoregon.gov/neff-purcell
Questions and Comments?
-
- Project Phone Line: (458) 202-7348
- Project Email: neffpurcell@bendoregon.gov
- Project Website: bendoregon.gov/neff-purcell
- Project Engineer: Drew Wells, PE
