Barclay Drive improvements stall

Funding has fallen short for improvements to Barclay Drive where it runs through the Sisters Industrial Park.

In its 156-page Transportation System Plan (TSP) adopted by City Council in December of 2021, the Public Works Department planned to improve Barclay Drive from Locust Street on the east to Pine Street on the west.

The improvements between Pine and Locust streets were to include a three-lane cross section, curb and gutter, 10-foot concrete sidewalks, stormwater drainage, and lighting. The goal was to have these upgrades in place on or before the completion of the new roundabout, now scheduled for opening by June.

The new roundabout will strongly encourage through traffic to bypass Cascade Avenue and use Barclay Drive. However, the City has come up short with the necessary funds to complete the Barclay improvements. Only enough money is on hand for the section between Locust Street and Larch Street where the Post Office sits.

That leaves a big chunk that will remain without sidewalks, as well as constricted traffic flow just as more traffic will be diverted onto Barclay Drive.

Paul Bertagna, public works director for the City of Sisters, told The Nugget that the original planning projected the costs at around $1 million. Estimates have come in at $3.5 million.

"We'll be looking at funding options including state and federal grants," Bertagna said, "but it looks like we'll be out to 2025 before we can raise that level of funds."

Sidewalks have long been a priority of businesses on Barclay, and residents of the ClearPine and Grand Peaks subdivisions. The five blocks between Pine and Larch are without crosswalks and currently have areas of missing or broken curbs. With its curves and traffic speed, Barclay is difficult for pedestrians to cross and for vehicular traffic trying to enter Barclay from the busy industrial area of Aylor and Curtis Courts, Sisters Park Drive, and Sun Ranch Drive.

It is the same lack of sidewalks that the City cited as one of its reasons for turning down the application of Sisters Cold Weather Shelter to operate a shelter at 192 W. Barclay Drive.

Pine and Barclay is also the location of a blind corner caused by trees and fencing on private property obstructing the view for southbound Pine Street drivers trying to cross Barclay. This hazard will be mitigated when the improvements are made.

When completed, Barclay Drive will be three lanes for its entirety, making turns into and out of adjacent streets and businesses more efficient and safer.

Southbound drivers on Camp Polk Road will have a stop sign at Barclay, giving northbound vehicles turning left onto Barclay priority for better traffic flow.

From Pine Street to the west roundabout, improvements have already been put into place coinciding with the development of Sisters Woodlands on one side and Three Peaks Industrial Park on the other, with the developers picking up much of the cost.