North Bend City Council has unanimously decided to move forward with improving the city's main thoroughfare, North Bend Way, enhancing not just the road itself but the community's connection to it. The February 18 meeting concluded with a nod to both progress and tradition, culminating in an agreement to accept a hefty Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grant, alongside city matching funds, for the North Bend Way Complete Streets Corridor Project's first phase, according to the City of North Bend.
The initial phase is to radically shift the road's current configuration from four lanes down to two. This is to create a seamless flow between North Bend's historic downtown core and Tollgate Park. The project, rooted deeply in community engagement, took customer feedback head-on with two public workshops and an online survey back in the summer of 2022 conducted by consulting firm Parametrix. In a statement obtained by North Bend's official website, the city outlined the project's scope as one that "incorporates our community’s value in maintaining North Bend’s small-town character by creating more pedestrian connections to local community assets," as stated by the City of North Bend.
A significant financial boost comes in the form of a $1,002,519 TIB grant awarded last November, with the city chipping in another $220,066, as reported on North Bend's official website. These city funds will be drawn from the pool of Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) and/or Transportation Benefit District (TBD) resources.
The wheels are set firmly in motion, with the next item on the agenda being the hunt to choose a suitable design consultant. While the anticipation is to soon break ground, construction will likely not roll out until 2027. North Bend residents and interested parties can stay informed on developments by visiting the City’s Media Center webpage.
