Olney Avenue is a critical east-west corridor connecting Bend residents to schools, parks, trails, and businesses. It is a designated key walking and biking route and crosses both US 97 and the BNSF railroad tracks. In addition, the corridor houses essential underground utilities. The Olney Avenue Improvements project replaces aging water and sewer infrastructure while making the road safer to drive, walk, bike, and roll. 

Phase 1: The Olney Avenue and Wall Street Intersection is open to traffic while the second phase of construction continues.

Community feedback played a key role in the development of the project. A virtual open house, online survey, and in-person event encouraged community members to voice their opinions. The community supported separated bike and pedestrian facilities to increase safety and comfort for users of all ages and abilities. The final design features the city’s first curb-protected bike lanes and first retrofit protected intersection. The new route provides full connectivity to the 2nd Street Greenway and the Deschutes River Trail for all users.  

Seizing the opportunity to coordinate efforts, the project incorporated integral utility upgrades. An aging cast iron waterline and parallel sewer mains were replaced. In the process, the project team addressed several utility challenges, including boring beneath the railroad for two major utilities, a gravity pipe flowing against grade, and staging construction to maintain conveyance to the east side of Bend. 

Parametrix led the project from alternatives analysis to final design and is supporting the second phase of construction. The multi-disciplinary team included professionals with expertise in multimodal transportation facilities, sewer and water infrastructure design, and structural engineering.