Bend MPO directs $581,570/year for FY28–30 to local street preservation, prioritizing greenways and quick-build safety projects

The Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Board on April 18 approved directing the remaining State Highway Fund allocation of roughly $581,570 per year for fiscal years 2028–2030 toward street preservation on local and neighborhood streets, with an emphasis on low‑stress bicycle and pedestrian routes, neighborhood greenways and quick‑build safety projects.

The move followed a staff presentation on the city’s pavement condition and maintenance needs and extended discussion among board members about balancing pavement preservation and safety. David Abbas, City of Bend Transportation Mobility Department, summarized the maintenance backlog and how the MPO funds fit into the city’s capital and operations plans: “we are with the inflation and and cost increases in doing business, we're at about a hundred and 5,000,000 over 5 years. The majority of that, 84% of that or 88,000,000 of that is in that local residential category.” Abbas also noted the MPO amount under consideration: “the amount we're talking about is $5.80, so less than that. 580,000.”

Why this matters

Board members framed the decision around two linked priorities: preventing larger future repair costs by investing in pavement preservation now, and using flexible MPO dollars to address safety gaps on neighborhood streets that are part of the city’s low‑stress bike/ped network. Chair Ari Mendes (Bend City Councilor) said, “I want us to take as much care about the safety of the people using the pavement as we do the pavement itself.” Councilor Mike Riley added support for pairing preservation…