Sisters celebrates an open highway

Friday morning at 10 a.m. in front of Sisters Market & Eatery, Erin Borla, executive director of the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce, set the wheels in motion for the ribbon-cutting celebration of the completion of the roadwork portion of the Cascade Avenue Street Improvement Project.

"We understand the project is not complete, but this is a ribbon-cutting for Cascade Avenue being open," she explained. "It was a big deal having a major artery closed in Sisters Country for almost three months. It was a challenge not only for the merchants, but to the citizens as well, but we made it through."

Borla thanked the staff at Knife River and the team at ODOT for their hard work and dedication to the project. The actual opening of the highway was on Friday, May 16.

Mayor Brad Boyd expressed gratitude to the folks of the Sisters community and the merchants for their support of the project that finished on schedule.

"We couldn't have done this project on time without all the many people involved: ODOT, SERA Architects, Knife River Construction, Quincy Engineering, Greenworks and the citizens of Sisters and folks that love to shop in Sisters. Businesses banded together and made Sisters a flagship community for projects like this. We were able to showcase the very best of how community partnerships can work. Traffic patterns are back to normal in Sisters," Boyd announced.

"The foundation's laid; we are just building around it. Streetscape work will continue throughout the summer, and we are really pleased with how quickly the project has gone and how great Sisters community looks," said ODOT Director Matthew Garrett. "It's a community investment ... well-done to all of you."

Among the many dignitaries that put in an appearance to show their support for the project and celebration were Jodie Barram, mayor pro-tem from Bend, and Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone.

"I've been here a half-dozen times during construction. It's really a neat coordinating effort from everybody," said DeBone.

The celebration continued throughout the day. Local shops were open until 7 p.m. with free treats and great shopping discounts for the final Stroll Sisters event of this spring.

Shortly after 5 p.m. Borla had the results of the Great Duck Hunt.

"We just wrapped up the duck hunt with over 500 entries," Borla said. "People had a lot of fun with this since last April 4."

Rubber construction ducks were hidden throughout businesses in Sisters Country. Every two weeks more ducks were added in different locations. When customers found a duck they could snap a picture of it and the number on the bottom, and post it to the Sisters Country Facebook page.

The grand-prize winners were awarded Sisters Country gift certificates. Third prize went to Beth Seymour, for $25; second place went to Shaleana Smith for $50, and first-place winner Pat Woolard gained $150.