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MPO board backs ODOT expressway designation changes in regional comment letter
Summary
The Bend MPO policy board voted to support ODOT's proposed expressway designation changes — including removing expressway status on parts of US 20 and shifting Business 97 to the new US 97 alignment — and discussed access management and spacing for pedestrian/bike crossings.
Tyler Deakey, Bend MPO manager, summarized ODOT’s six-year review of expressway designations and said proposed changes within the MPO area include removing the expressway designation on a stretch of US 20 and shifting the Business 97 designation to the new US 97 alignment.
"There are proposals to remove the expressway designation on US 20 from just north of Empire all the way out past Tumalo... Business 97... would be to remove that designation off of Business 97 and move it over to the new 97 alignment," Deakey said, explaining the review is open through Sept. 4.
Board members asked how the designation changes would affect access management and the potential for commercial development near expressways. Staff and ODOT representatives said removing an expressway designation can allow a more urbanized environment with additional bike and pedestrian facilities and that access management processes and city standards would continue to control access points.
A motion to send a letter of support for the proposed designation changes was moved by Councilor Mike Riley, seconded by Commissioner Phil Chang, and approved by voice/hand vote.
