ODOT to brief city council on roundabout

After gathering feedback from citizens, property owners, business owners, the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Forest Service, the Oregon Department of Transportation will brief the Sisters City Council on plans for the Barclay Drive/Highway 20 roundabout at the 7 p.m. Council meeting on Thursday, August 25.

Abby Driscoll of ODOT told The Nugget that plans are for bids to be taken in December, with construction on the project starting in February 2017, with a goal of traffic moving through the roundabout by Memorial Day weekend. She said that some finishing touches will still need to be done after that date, but ODOT wants to have the roundabout moving traffic through by that traditional kickoff of the summer season.

ODOT is seeking City Council approval of the roundabout construction traffic management plan and the aesthetics of the installation. The public can view the draft concept plan at http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION4/Pages/US20atBarclayDrive.aspx.

ODOT has met with focus groups on management of traffic during construction, and Driscoll assured The Nugget that "we're going to make sure people can get through."

A similar traffic management plan was required during the renovation and reconstruction of Cascade Avenue in 2014.

Focus groups have also discussed the aesthetics of the project, including colors of concrete, and art for the installation, which will mark a gateway into Central Oregon.