Council OKs agreement on roundabout

The Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the City of Sisters and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to construct a roundabout at Highway 20 and Barclay Drive was approved by the City Council in a unanimous vote at their September 10 meeting.

After a period of questions and clarifications between Council members and ODOT's Gary Farnsworth, the "Intersection Improvement Project" was given the green light.

Highway 20 through Sisters is part of the state highway system under the jurisdiction and control of the Oregon Transportation Commission. Barclay Drive and McKinney Butte Road are part of the City of Sisters street system under the jurisdiction and control of the City.

Because of the shared jurisdiction at this intersection, mutual review of specifications, and staging and construction plans, have to be conducted and agreement reached on final plans prior to any advertising of construction plans or request for bid proposals.

ODOT and the City will create public outreach plans, work collaboratively on public meetings, construction meetings, briefing and schedule updates, and any other needed public outreach during the life of the project. That mutual outreach includes addressing potential impacts and coordination needs for surrounding and affected businesses.

The public will have numerous opportunities over the life of the project to provide input on design features, lighting, and landscaping for the roundabout, much as they did during the Cascade Avenue improvement project - another City/State partnership.

The approved resolution allows ODOT to begin addressing constructability of the project, funding budgets, and property acquisition at the project site.

The estimated project cost of $3,192,599 (subject to change) will be funded by a combination of state and local funds, the City's share being $360,000, paid through transportation systems development charges. The Barclay intersection was identified as the number-one priority in the development of the City's last Transportation System Plan (TSP).

City project manager is Paul Bertagna, Sisters public works director. Mike Darling, ODOT senior project leader in Bend, is the State's project manager.