Bend Moves Forward on Reed Market Bridge Project

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The city of Bend, Oregon is moving forward with plans to build the Reed Market Bridge, a $32 million infrastructure project designed to eliminate frustrating railroad crossings on Reed Market Road. The new 108-foot span bridge will lift vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians over the tracks, delivering safer and faster east-west travel through southeast Bend.

Why it matters

Reed Market Road serves as a key arterial south of Greenwood Avenue, connecting 27th Street to the west side of the Deschutes River. The frequent train crossings, which can halt traffic for 5 to 20 minutes, have created major backups for commuters. The new bridge project is expected to provide huge relief for daily drivers while also boosting multimodal safety.

The details

The new bridge will include four travel lanes total, two eastbound and two westbound, plus buffered bike lanes, sidewalks, and curbs on both sides. A pedestrian tunnel west of 9th Street will link the Central Oregon Historic Canal Trail sections, ensuring safe north-south trail access without at-grade rail crossings. Access at American Lane will stay open, while 9th Street will get a raised intersection with left turns from eastbound Reed Market remaining but only right turns onto westbound.

• The Federal Railroad Administration environmental review is nearing completion.
• Preliminary engineering wrapped up in winter 2025/26.
• Final design and right-of-way acquisition are slated for winter 2026/27.
• Construction starts mid-2027 after nearby roundabouts at Reed Market/15th and 15th/Ferguson are finished.
• The project is expected to wrap up by 2029.

What’s next

Detour details will roll out as design advances, prioritizing smooth traffic flow during construction.