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Bend Today
By the People, for the People
Olney Avenue in Downtown Bend Fully Reopens After Over a Year of Improvements
The $12 million project to upgrade aging infrastructure and improve safety for all users is now complete.
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
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After more than a year of construction and several unexpected delays, the city of Bend, Oregon has fully reopened Olney Avenue between Wall Street and First Street. The $12 million Olney Avenue Improvements Project replaced aging water and sewer infrastructure and made the road safer for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Why it matters
Olney Avenue is a key east-west thoroughfare in downtown Bend, connecting schools, parks, trails, and businesses. The project was part of a voter-approved 2020 transportation bond, aimed at upgrading the city's aging infrastructure and improving safety for all road users.
The details
The project, which began in early 2025, was originally expected to be finished by last fall but was hit by several delays due to the complexity of coordinating construction with the nearby Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railways. The city worked closely with BNSF to resolve the issues at the railroad crossing. In addition to the infrastructure upgrades, the project also made Olney Avenue safer for driving, walking, biking, and rolling.
- The Olney Avenue Improvements Project began in early February 2025.
- The project was originally expected to be finished by last fall.
- The Olney Avenue-Wall Street intersection reopened in May 2025.
- The final closed stretch of Olney Avenue between Wall Street and First Street reopened on February 11, 2026.
- Due to the warm winter weather, crews were able to complete the final paving and striping work without having to return in the spring as previously planned.
The players
City of Bend
The local government of Bend, Oregon that initiated and managed the Olney Avenue Improvements Project.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railways
The railroad company that the city had to coordinate with during the construction project due to the nearby active rail operations.
Ryan Oster
The City Engineering Director for Bend, Oregon.
What they’re saying
“We want to thank our community for their patience and understanding throughout the Olney Avenue project. This project not only provided needed upgrades to our aging water and sewer system, it made it safer for all users of the roadway.”
— Ryan Oster, City Engineering Director (ktvz.com)
“We also extend our sincere appreciation to BNSF for their strong partnership and collaboration in bringing this project across the finish line.”
— Ryan Oster, City Engineering Director (ktvz.com)
What’s next
With the project now complete, the city can focus on maintaining the upgraded infrastructure and monitoring the safety improvements along Olney Avenue.
The takeaway
The successful completion of the Olney Avenue Improvements Project demonstrates the city of Bend's commitment to upgrading its aging transportation infrastructure and enhancing safety for all road users, even in the face of unexpected delays. This project is a win for the local community and a model for other cities looking to invest in their transportation networks.
