Traffic signal: Green light on Cascade project

Sisters is having to get used to something most folks are sort of proud not to have: a traffic signal.

The temporary signal that will be used for the freight reroute for the Cascade Avenue renovation project lit up on Wednesday, February 19. The signal will help traffic-flow at the intersection of Highway 20 and Barclay Avenue during construction.

Barclay Avenue and Locust Street will serve as the temporary freight route when construction work gets underway in downtown Sisters starting Monday, March 3. Hood and Main avenues will serve as the detour route for all other vehicles.

The construction closure and detour is scheduled to be in place through May 15.

Rerouting of highway traffic will start Monday morning, March 3. Click here to view the detour map.

Local businesses will celebrate their solidarity and resilience in the "Dump Everything & Stroll Sisters" event on Friday, February 28, from 4 to 7 p.m.

A groundbreaking event is scheduled for Saturday, March 1. The ceremony itself will be held at 10 a.m. in front of Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill and Saloon and will be followed by a full day of activities.

Knife River will have their trucks parked along Main Avenue, from Fir to Larch Streets so kids (big and little) can climb on them and check them out. There will be a limited number of free hard hats for kids that attend.

Brad Tisdel from the Sisters Folk Festival will be hosting a Bucket Jam Band for kids to learn to play the bucket drums; there will be a series of door-prize drawings, and there will be a variety of rodeo royalty on hand for autographs and photo opportunities.

The project will:

• Reconstruct sidewalks and increase sidewalk widths from six to eight feet, except between Oak and Pine streets, where the widths will be nine feet;

• Improve pedestrian crossings at intersections by building curb extensions, or "bulb-outs," with upgraded ADA ramps at Pine, Oak, Elm, Fir and Spruce streets. This will reduce crossing distances and increase pedestrian visibility;

• Add streetscape features such as decorative lighting, benches and landscaping;

• Improve the storm-water drainage system to eliminate flooding and standing water by adding drainage swales and underground injection control (UIC) systems;

• Reconstruct Cascade Avenue from Pine Street to Larch Street;

• Grind out and repave Cascade Avenue from Larch Street to Locust Street; and

• Widen the roadway width at the intersection of Barclay Drive and Locust Street to facilitate freight turning movements.

The goal of the project is to help balance traffic mobility and pedestrian safety while providing a safe and inviting atmosphere for the local community and tourists.