The Oregon Department of Transportation is hosting four workshops in Terrebonne next week to gather input from residents about ways to address traffic issues along the U.S. Highway 97 corridor.

Last year, the Oregon Legislature approved $20 million for safer access through Terrebonne, including pedestrian crossings and intersection improvements at the Lower Bridge Way intersection.

ODOT, which is partnering with officials in Deschutes and Jefferson counties, developed an advisory committee of local stakeholders and hosted public outreach events.

The public feedback has centered around three proposed concepts: Widen the existing highway, split the highway into parallel roads, one northbound and one southbound, or create a bypass.

Cari Charlton, project manager for ODOT’s Terrebonne Refinement Plan, said feedback so far has been diverse, but all focused on the same theme of improving safety and congestion through Terrebonne. Charlton is looking forward to the upcoming workshops to hear more about the issues the community is experiencing, she said.

“At this stage, we at ODOT are open to all concepts and getting as much input as possible to determine the preferred solution,” Charlton said.

Public input will continue to be gathered until the spring. The selected concept will be designed through 2019, with construction starting by 2021.

A common concern among residents is safety around the Highway 97 and Lower Bridge Way intersection on the north end of Terrebonne. The intersection is a key access point to the highway for residents in Crooked River Ranch and Lower Bridge Estates.

Lower Bridge Way sees 6,525 vehicles making daily trips between Highway 97 and 43rd Street in Terrebonne, representing one of the highest volume roads in Deschutes County, according to state transportation department records.

“The intersection with U.S. 97 has been an ongoing concern over the years due to the high speed and volume of traffic on U.S. 97, and the difficulty of making turning movements to/from Lower Bridge Way,” reads a section of ODOT’s refinement plan.

Each workshop next week will have a different focus. The first workshop at noon on Tuesday in the Terrebonne Grange Hall will be an overview and explanation of the proposed traffic improvement concepts.

The second workshop titled, “Concept Development,” will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Terrebonne Community School. It will allow visitors to work hands-on with transportation officials, Charlton said.

“This workshop is geared toward working with the community to come to the best solution that aligns with the project’s goals and objectives,” Charlton said.

The third workshop at noon Wednesday in the grange hall will let the public help narrow down ideas and view alternatives that officials have created based on past feedback.

The series of workshops will end with a final one at 6 p.m. Thursday at the community school. Transportation officials will present their preliminary findings from the previous workshops and discuss the next steps.

ODOT officials believe working collaboratively with the public is critical to find the best results for the community, Charlton said.

“The success of the project depends on community and stakeholder input,” she said. “Citizen engagement is key in determining the most beneficial solution for the community.”

— Reporter: 541-617-7820, kspurr@bendbulletin.com