It’s About Time: Let’s Make Traveling In Bend Safe And Efficient

Published on Feb 20, 2020

Let’s Make Traveling In Bend Safe And Efficient

“To keep Bend moving—whether you drive, walk, bike or ride the bus—we need your help to pass the Transportation Bond in May.” Katy Brooks, Bend Chamber, and Mike Riley, The Environmental Center, co-chairs of the Go Bend 2020 Coalition.

Everybody knows Bend’s transportation system needs help: after all, we don’t live here to spend our time sitting in traffic. We want to be able to get to work on time, to know our kids are getting to and from school safely, and to help our local businesses stay strong.

We all want better traffic flow and safer streets… and now we finally have a solution. In May, the City of Bend will ask voters to approve a $190 million bond for projects to improve neighborhood safety, improve traffic flow and increase east-west connectivity.

The transportation plan was crafted over two years of collaboration by citizens and community leaders. Highlights include:

Dozens of intersection fixes to reduce bottlenecks and improve traffic flow
New links between existing roads to complete the city-wide road network
Reed Market: A bridge over the railroad and a two-lane roundabout at 15th St.
Filling in sidewalk gaps and adding new, safe crossings near schools, parks and jobs.
A low-stress bike and pedestrian network on 12 key routes all across town.
Funding for neighborhood safety projects to be picked by Bend residents.
Investment in more bus pull-outs, new technology to improve traffic flow.

STRONG ACCOUNTABILITY The Bend City Council will establish a citizen oversight committee to track progress on bond-funded projects and report to the community over the 10-year construction period. The City of Bend has a good track record with this type of bond-funded construction program and will continue with an annual city audit of their work.

THIS BOND IS A SMART INVESTMENT IN BEND’S FUTURE Based on the average assessed value of a Bend home, an owner would pay $170 per year — just 47 cents per day — for needed investments to protect and sustain the livability of our town.

BALLOT TITLE TO APPEAR IN THE MAY 19TH ELECTION

CAPTION: Bonds for Traffic Flow, East-West Connections, and Neighborhood Safety Improvements

QUESTION: Shall Bend fund traffic flow, east-west connections, and neighborhood safety improvement projects citywide by issuing bonds up to $190,000,000?

SUMMARY: The measure authorizes the City to issue general obligation bonds up to $190,000,000 to fund projects to improve traffic flow, safety, congestion, and east-west connections citywide. A community oversight committee will monitor project progress.

PARTIAL LIST OF GO BEND 2020 SUPPORTERS

The Bend Chamber of Commerce, Brooks Resources, The Environmental Center, Central Oregon Builders Association, Central Oregon LandWatch, St. Charles Medical Center

Bart Bowen, Richard Brandman, Anthony Broadman. Katy Brooks. Neil Bryant, Fmr. Oregon State Senator, Lou Capozzi, Lisa Goodman, Karna Gustafson, Sam Handleman, Chad Hildebrand, Steve Hultberg, Suzanne Johannsen, Susan Keys. Jay Lyons, Nicole Mardell, Moey Newbold, Don Paumier, Barbara Pettersen

Mike Riley, Richard Ross, Kathy Schroeder, Scott Wallace, Jackie Westover, Ruth Williamson

Bend City Council Sally Russell, Mayor of Bend, Bruce Abernethy, Barb Campbell, Gena Goodman-Campbell, Justin Livingston, Bill Moseley, Chris Piper , Casey Roats, Former Mayor of Bend