Bend, OR – The City of Bend has been awarded $32.3 million in federal funding for the long-awaited Reed Market Road Railroad Crossing Project, marking the largest grant in the city’s history. The announcement was made Friday by members of Oregon’s congressional delegation alongside city officials.
The project, which is still in the planning stages and expected to take approximately three years to complete, aims to eliminate the need for drivers to stop and wait at the Reed Market Road railroad crossing. The crossing has long been a source of traffic congestion, with train stoppages often lasting over 20 minutes, leading to delays along this vital east-west arterial route in southeast Bend.
“This significant grant will help us address a critical traffic bottleneck and improve the flow of travel on Reed Market Road,” said Mayor Melanie Kebler. “We are thrilled to receive this funding, which will allow us to make much-needed upgrades to the crossing, enhancing safety for all users and reducing emissions from idling vehicles.”
The Reed Market Road Railroad Crossing Project was identified as a priority in the city’s 2020 Transportation General Obligation (GO) Bond, which voters approved to support infrastructure improvements. By pairing local GO Bond funds with the federal grant, the city is able to leverage additional resources to advance the project and further enhance its transportation system as the community continues to grow.
The crossing elimination is expected to bring several benefits, including improved travel time reliability, enhanced safety for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians, and better access for emergency services. The project is also anticipated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating the need for vehicles to idle while waiting for trains to pass.
Train crossings at Reed Market Road are frequent and often unpredictable, causing significant disruption to traffic flow. The new project will address these operational challenges, contributing to the city’s long-term transportation goals and improving the quality of life for residents.
“This project is a win for Bend,” said U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley. “By securing this federal funding, we are investing in safer, more reliable transportation for the community and reducing the environmental impact of unnecessary traffic delays.”
With the funding secured, city officials are now focused on moving the project through its planning stages, with construction expected to begin in the coming years. The Reed Market Road Railroad Crossing Project is poised to be a transformative improvement to Bend’s transportation infrastructure, supporting the city’s continued growth and development.
