The Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board on Oct. 17 approved three proposed amendments to the current Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP) covering federal fiscal years 2024–2027.

The first amendment concerns the US 20 (Greenwood) project from First Street to Sixth Street, a City of Bend project to be delivered by ODOT. The amendment cancels the current construction phase, increases preliminary engineering funds by using previously earmarked construction funds, and revises the project description to allow more design work in a constrained right-of-way. Staff noted ODOT remains committed to an eventual construction phase once design requirements are resolved.

The second amendment modifies the US 97 multiuse trail (Baker Road to Lava Butte), an ODOT project, by increasing right-of-way and construction funding and raising the estimated project total by approximately $3 million. The increase reflected updated cost estimates and a 2024 STIP rebalancing that shifted funds to later years and into this project.

The third amendment adds the Larkspur Path school connection project (city project delivered by ODOT) to the MTIP, including the approximately $1,000,000 preliminary engineering phase in the current MTIP; the construction phase (estimated at about $3.3 million) would be included in the next MTIP cycle (2027–2030).

Andrea Napoli, Bend MPO senior planner, explained the projects and funding sources; she said the public comment period (21 days) produced no comments on these amendments. Councilor Mike Riley moved approval; Commissioner Phil Chang seconded. The board voted unanimously to adopt the three MTIP amendments.

Staff emphasized coordination among agencies (city, ODOT, park district) is necessary so trail and sidewalk projects connect to adjacent local facilities rather than terminating at jurisdictional boundaries.