Traffic jams frequently occur at the railroad crossing on Reed Market Road in southeast Bend.
Oregon’s congressional delegation and the City of Bend announced on Friday that Bend has received $32.3 million in federal funding for the long-awaited Reed Market Road Railroad Crossing Project.
This grant represents the largest amount of funding ever awarded to the city and aims to eliminate the need for vehicles to stop at the train crossing on Reed Market Road. However, the project is still in the planning stages and is not expected to be completed for another three years.
The Reed Market Road project was included in the 2020 Transportation General Obligation (GO) Bond approved by voters, highlighting its importance as a key east-west route in southeast Bend. By using local GO Bond funds to match this federal grant, Bend aims to enhance its transportation infrastructure in line with community growth.
The elimination of the railroad crossing is expected to improve traffic flow, increase reliability during train crossings, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from idling vehicles, enhance safety, and improve access for emergency services.
Mayor Melanie Kebler expressed excitement about the funding, emphasizing that it will lead to significant safety improvements and reduce delays caused by train crossings. The project is currently in the design phase, with construction anticipated to begin between 2027 and 2028.
“The City of Bend is excited to receive this substantial funding for upgrades to the Reed Market Road Railroad crossing. Enhancing the crossing will improve safety for all users, decrease emissions from idling vehicles, and eliminate the need for drivers to stop and wait for trains,” stated Mayor Melanie Kebler.
“These essential improvements to this critical east-west route will significantly enhance our transportation system, and we appreciate the efforts that went into securing these funds.”
Train crossings at this site are frequent and unpredictable, often causing traffic delays of over 20 minutes. The project to eliminate the crossing aims to support the city’s safety, operational, and quality of life objectives.Currently, the project is in the design phase, with construction expected to start between 2027 and 2028.
Leave a Reply