Crooked River Ranch residents receive a reprieve on Lower Bridge Way detour

The Lower Bridge Way detour from U.S. Hwy 97 to Davidson Way was expected to begin October 19, 2024, as announced at a county commissioner meeting held at Crooked River Ranch on September 11.

ODOT has since pushed the date back but does not yet have a firm date for the detour. “We will not be closing the Lower Bridge Way and U.S. Hwy. 97 connection for a couple months as we are trying to get all the utilities out of the way first.” stated Bill Martin, resident engineer of the Bend ODOT construction office. The Pioneer will be following up to advise commuters when ODOT is able to set a new date.

The Lower Bridge Way detour will be necessary because an overpass ‘dog bone’ style interchange is planned to enable left hand turns between Lower Bridge Way and U.S. Hwy. 97 in Terrebonne.

Grading work along U.S. Hwy. 97 has been in process for a few months on the west side of Hwy. 97, while sewer line, water line and stormwater work have 10th Street temporarily closed off. Before the utilities delay, the Hwy. 97 project was expected to be completed in the summer of 2026.

The final interchange design is labeled Exhibit C.