The Oregon Department of Transportation is nearing its start date for a major overhaul of U.S. Highway 97, rearranging streets at the south end of the Bend Parkway near its intersection with Southeast Third Street.

Construction on the Murphy Road project is expected to start this summer, possibly in mid-July, said ODOT spokesman Peter Murphy.

The roughly two-year-long project will extend Murphy Road, which currently ends at Third Street, over the Parkway on an elevated bridge, eventually connecting with Brookswood Boulevard.

A second elevated bridge, or overpass, would let motorists traveling south on Third Street toward Highway 97 bypass the stoplight at the busy intersection, which will be removed when the project is complete, Murphy said.

The stoplight at Third Street and Pinebrook Boulevard will also be removed, and three roundabouts will be added along Murphy Road, including one at its intersection with Third Street.

“Our objective is to remove stoplights where we can and ease traffic flow, as well as increasing connectivity between the west and east side of town,” Murphy said.

ODOT on Thursday announced the apparent low bidder for the Murphy Road project, as well as for a U.S. Highway 20 improvement through Sisters. Springfield-based Hamilton Construction Co. was the apparent low bidder for the Murphy Road project, bidding $11.2 million to take it on.

Knife River Corp. was the apparent low bidder for the Sisters project, at $3.8 million.

Low bids aren’t considered official until the end of a seven-to-10-day review period by ODOT, to make sure the company can carry out the project and bid on it responsibly, Murphy said

The state is required to accept the lowest acceptable bid for a highway contract.

The mid-July start date for construction on the Murphy Road project is tentative. It hinges on the low bid contract being accepted, and on the developer’s timeline, Murphy said.

It’s expected to take about two years. Motorists shouldn’t expect large delays, but should be aware of construction activity in the area this summer, Murphy said.

The Sisters project is expected to start in September and take two years.