NEIGHBORHOOD STREET SAFETY projects selected by NLA

On January 14, the Neighborhood Leadership Alliance (NLA) recommended eight projects for funding under the Neighborhood Street Safety Program.

To see the final projects, click here (and select tab #3 - Design & Construction Projects) for an interactive map and list. All of the selected projects involve improving safety for pedestrians. Four are on the west side and four on the east side, and each of the finalists is in a different neighborhood association.

The projects submitted by Summit West Neighborhood Association did not make the final cut. However, one (a crosswalk on Mt. Washington at Clearwater) tied for #9 and is considered a contingency project, should one of the eight finalists have a problem with the design or cost.

In the 2019-2021 biennial budget, the City Council approved $800,000 to fund the program. The City received more than 360 applications for projects across Bend. Projects were reviewed and prioritized by the 13 Neighborhood Associations (NAs) and 25 priority projects advanced to the NLA for a final ranking that considered demographic data, crash data, geographic equity and cost.

The eight recommended projects now move into design and public outreach. In May, the NLA will revisit the plan for a final stamp of approval.

Plans for the transportation bond measure expected to be on the May ballot include $6 million to address neighborhood street safety issues, such as those identified by residents in the recent NSSP effort. Safe routes to school would be one of the categories for funding under the bond measure, including crosswalks and completing missing sidewalk segments.