Local residents and cyclists who pass through the small community of Tumalo, Oregon on one of Central Oregon’s premier bicycle routes may soon benefit from improvements to a challenging highway crossing. The Bend Bulletin reported 24 crashes between 2003 and 2007 at the intersection of 7th/Bailey and Highway 20. The crossing is rated among the top 10% of the state’s most dangerous intersections.
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Tumalo residents and local cyclists worked with ODOT to find a short-term solution to reduce the crash risk for drivers and improve comfort and safety for people, especially children, crossing the highway on foot or by bike. ODOT’s preferred solution – a pedestrian refuge and median barrier with a cut-through for cyclists at the intersection of 7th/Bailey – would divert through and left turning car traffic to adjacent intersections and reduce the burden of crossing multiple lanes of highway traffic for cyclists and pedestrians.
BTA Legislative Committee member Eric Chu attended a public meeting hosted by the Tumalo Community Association and ODOT earlier this month. While some residents strongly advocate a traffic signal in the corridor, Chu said most were supportive of short-term treatments that could begin construction as early as next summer.
The BTA will continue to support the community in encouraging more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly development in Central Oregon.
