Redmond is considering a new way to move forward with a bypass to U.S. Highway 97 by building a road system to run parallel to the current highway on the east side of the city.

For years, the city has looked at ways to fund the work, which has become a priority as congestion and traffic dangers increase on Highway 97 south of downtown. Mayor Ed Fitch said the project could be “transformative for the community.”

The plan is to connect Airport Way, through the old Juniper Golf Course, to Highway 126 near its current intersection with 9th Street. Eventually, plans call for improvements northward from there, all the way to Maple Avenue. The total cost is estimated at $30 million. It could become the route for large trucks traveling through Redmond, which could keep them off Highway 97 to reduce congestion and increase safety. The roads would be built to industrial standards, with one lane running in each direction of travel, and divided by a center turn lane.

The project has been on Redmond agenda’s for years, but progress has been slow and grant dollars — both federal and state — have been hard to come by. So Jessica MacClanahan, city public works director, said they are ready to try a new tack.

“I’m a firm believer in the right problem at the right time with the right team,” she said.

The right time for the project is now, MacClanahan told city councilors Aug. 22, by going to a “progressive design build” concept that could cut construction time in half. According to the city, if it contracts with a progressive design builder, that company will then be tasked with scope, design and construction of the project — all through a flexible set of phases that the city can make changes to as funds and logistics demand.

MacClanahan said it the concept could help the project come to fruition in just five years, instead of ten.

“We know that time is critical, that’s one of the biggest proponents I think of using this method is completing the project in half the time that it would take with traditional methods,” she told councilors.

To kick off the work, MacClanahan recommended starting with the northern section of 9th Street from Hemlock to Highway 126 and then extending 9th Street through the old golf course and building two roundabouts, one at Airport Way and a second at Highway 126.

The $30 million cost to do the work could come from multiple buckets, including $16 million from system development charges, $4 million from the city’s general fund, $1.5 million from city water ratepayers and the final $4.6 million from a variety of transportation resources.

According to Jason Neff, deputy city manager and budget director for the city, Redmond has identified $27 million in funds that could get the project built without adding debt to the city. Neff said $3 million earmarked by the Oregon Legislature for the public safety facility could replace $3 million in general fund dollars the city had earmarked for that project.

Neff said those dollars could instead be redirected to the Highway 97 alternative.

“We could peel that back and apply it to this project,” Neff told council.

Mayor Fitch said there are additional opportunities to secure future grants to help pay for the work.

The Oregon Department of Transportation’s attempt to secure federal funding for its own $100 million plan to improve the stretch of Highway 97 south of downtown was unsuccessful earlier this year.

“This highlights the need for us to have an alternative route,” said MacClanahan.

Kacey Davey, ODOT public information officer for Central Oregon, said the entire south Redmond project remains on the docket and ODOT will continue to look for funding. Davey said that they may “change the phases of the project — or how much we construct at a time — to match the funding we have at any given point.”

City staff and councilors said the work could open up future industrial and commercial development along the new roadways as well.

Major improvements coming to SW Reservoir, Wickiup

The Highway 97 alternative wasn’t the only major project to get the green light on Tuesday.

City council also approved a $5.6 million contract to Bend-based Taylor Northwest for upgrades to SW Reservoir and SW Wickiup drives between 39th Street and Helmholtz. Work will include sewer and water main upgrades, as well as a new section of roadway that includes bike lanes and sidewalks.

Construction is expected to begin next month and finish by November 2024, according to MacClanahan.

New roundabout

Another new roundabout is planned to south Redmond. The single-lane, 140-foot diameter circle will be built at the intersection of SW Badger and SW Canal streets in the next few years.

Council on Aug. 22 approved $190,065 to design the roundabout. Construction, which could begin in 2024, would include curbs, sidewalks and new storm drains as well. The total project cost is estimated at $2 million.