Pipeline improvement work to Awbrey Butte’s water distribution system began in 2023, and construction continues into 2024 with scheduled road closures on Portland Avenue and Shevlin Park Road.

The project includes replacing old pipes, installing new pipelines and increasing the capacity of existing pipes. The city of Bend will host an open house from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 9 at Westside Church at 2051 NW Shevlin Park Road in Bend to discuss details and impacts of the second phase of waterline construction.

The next phase of improvements, which are scheduled to begin Jan. 15, will result in detours because of the closure of one lane of Shevlin Park Road and a portion of Portland Avenue. Periodically, the northbound lanes of the roundabout at NW Mount Washington Drive and Shevlin Park Road will be closed, too, a Tuesday announcement from the city said. 

Construction on Portland Avenue will happen in three stages, beginning with the closure of the Portland Bridge from Jan. 16 until mid-February, said Austin Somhegyi, a senior project engineer for the city. During that time, Portland Avenue will be completely closed from Wall Street to Steidl Road, which is just west of the Deschutes River.

“This segment of pipe is critical for delivering water to the east side of the river, and needs to be back in operation when we get to the high water demand time of year,” Somhegyi said in an email.

Construction crews will return to Portland Avenue in November once demand drops, requiring another closure. 

The entire project is expected to be completed in spring 2025, the city said. 

Questions or comments on the project can be directed to awbreywaterline@bendoregon.gov or 541-382-3264.