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Right‑of‑way timing clouds summer plan for 15th & Ferguson roundabout
Summary
Engineering said right‑of‑way and easement acquisitions for a planned 15th & Ferguson roundabout are staggered and not fully in hand; staff proposed conditional contract approval or authority to withhold award so construction can align with summer school‑route windows.
Engineering staff briefed the subcommittee on a planned roundabout at 15th and Ferguson, warning that required property dedications and temporary construction easements are not yet fully obtained. Brooke, an engineering staff member, said the project team hopes to award the contract in June to complete work during summer break, but several acquisitions are still expected in June and July.
"We don't expect to get those acquisition areas until June, July," Brooke said, and noted that legal possession remains a prerequisite to beginning work. Ryan Oster, also representing engineering, said the project is being coordinated with nearby Reed Market and other intersection projects and emphasized the importance of summer construction to minimize impacts to Bend‑LaPine school bus routes: "If we have to wait for all the right‑of‑way to be in possession ... we'll be well into the fall school season."
Subcommittee members discussed options: (1) approve the contract conditionally so it cannot start until right‑of‑way is secured; (2) grant staff authority to withhold award if possession is incomplete; or (3) delay bringing the contract. Staff said they could include contract language that prohibits work until required easements and dedications are complete.
Engineering described the right‑of‑way needs as a mix of permanent dedications, temporary construction easements and slope easements. Acquisition is on a staggered schedule with some properties likely available in June and others following in July. No formal council action was taken in the meeting; staff requested a subcommittee temperature check to proceed with a June council packet and asked for guidance on how to handle award contingencies.
What’s next: staff will continue acquisitions and coordinate contract language that prevents construction until legal possession is obtained; they will bring the contract forward while noting the right‑of‑way timing risk to council and seek delegated authority or conditional award language as appropriate.
