How long will construction last?

Once a contractor team is on board, they will develop a schedule. The team will update the community on project duration as part of the outreach plan.

Will the road be fully closed?

To construct a bridge in the shortest duration and in the safest manner, a full closure is likely. Once a contractor team is on board, they will develop their own means and methods of constructing the job. The team will update the community on planned closures and detours as part of the outreach plan.

What will access during construction be like?

What is Progressive Design-Build and why is this project using it?

Progressive Design-Build (PDB) is a project delivery method in which the designer, builder and all necessary subconsultants are under a single contract. This method can be beneficial on a project of high complexity, reduce overall schedule and result in cost savings. Bend City Council approved this method of contracting on Nov. 19, 2025.(For more information, see Findings pdf)

Why a bridge, and not a tunnel?

A tunnel was studied in the Alternatives Analysis report, but it would create major drainage issues and be more expensive to construct due to shallow bedrock. The railroad also can’t be shut down long enough to safely excavate beneath it. An overpass avoids those risks, allows construction with less rail disruption, and reduces long-term maintenance costs. 

Why isn’t Reed Market Road being widened to add more lanes?

Modeling shows better traffic flow and capacity with intersection improvements at American Lane and 15th Street. We also plan to expand the 15th Street/Reed Market roundabout to a double lane roundabout which will increase flow and capacity at that intersection. The full wideneing of Reed Market, which would need to include 2 lanes in each direction plus a center turn lane in order to meet safety standards, would impede on over 100 private properties. That makes this design concept a non-starter from an affordability standpoint.   Instead the focus is on key intersections that includes turning lanes at key points, and the already existing two eastbound lanes for half of Reed Market between 3rd Street and 15th Street   

Will the project permanently close access to Quill Place?

The preliminary concept identifies Quill Place access onto Reed Market for emergency access only. After we hire a Progressive Design Build team, around May 2026, we will provide additional outreach opportunities, including a small-group meeting with the Luderman Crossing neighborhood, and will continue to explore options. Designs will always prioritize safety and traffic impacts. 

How steep will the road be?

Preliminary design shows Reed Market Road at 6% which is within City of Bend design standards.

Can an at-grade path be maintained for bicyclists or pedestrians so they don’t have to go over the bridge?

No, an at-grade path will not be maintained. A significant purpose of the project is to eliminate an at-grade rail crossing to improve safety for all users.

The pedestrian tunnel currently leads to the privately owned Nottingham neighborhood, which is not open to the public. Will a publicly accessible connection be considered?

The publicly accessible trail through the Nottingham neighborhood is managed by Bend Parks and Recreation (BPRD). The planned pedestrian tunnel under the Reed Market bridge will create a safe trail connection between existing sections of the Central Oregon (CO) Historic Canal Trail, which connects Reed Market Rd to the Deschutes River Trail, and the City's planned trail along the west side of 9th Street. Additionally, BPRD has a planned project in their comprehensive plan to extend the section of the CO Historic Canal Trail that dead ends at the boundary of the Nottingham neighborhood farther south and east to connect with Alpenglow Park and future planned extensions of the CO Historic Canal Trail. While this extension is planned, BPRD has not yet secured the necessary property rights to allow for public access through Nottingham and cannot provide a timeline for when this may happen.  Refer to BPRD for additional information.

What happens if the federal grant doesn’t come through? 

We have dedicated funds from the current GO Bond budget to build the Reed Market Bridge if the funding from the Federal Rail Administration does not come through. Either way, we will stay on schedule for designing and building the bridge.  

Why wasn’t the bridge built with the last Reed Market Corridor project?

A bridge wasn’t included as part of the 2011 improvements because of funding constraints. The previous, 2011 General Obligation Bond identified corridor improvements only, including surface and traffic flow improvements. The last GO Bond did not include a rail overcrossing.  That voter-approved bond fund was $30 million and included three roundabouts, Reed Market Improvements and 14th Street Improvements. The Reed Market overcrossing is a separate safety and mobility issue that requires a much larger structure and coordination with BNSF Railway.