Sisters roundabout takes shape

With only the South Locust Street branch to go, motorists can now get a clear picture, both of what the finished roundabout will look like, and how to navigate it.

Photo by Cody Rheault

Sisters' east-end roundabout is nearing completion.

Access from Cedar Street is also now clear in how it will work. None too soon for Sisters Pumphouse and Country Store, the Union 76 station, and High Camp Taphouse, two businesses who "have taken a beating" owners say. Drivers are confused with how to enter the businesses which have easy-to-miss temporary access.

City Public Works Director Paul Bertagna told The Nugget that he's "...still looking for an end of September for South Locust to be opened. And the end of October for the whole project."

The contractors are experiencing some grading issues, causing them a slight slowdown. Weather, as expected, has not been a factor since some concrete curing issues at the beginning of work.

The state has spent $3.4 million of the $6.6 million project. Traffic has been slowed throughout the construction, some days worse than others. This has led to frustration among drivers.

Local shopkeepers say that the resulting congestion has negatively impacted their business.

Drivers utilizing the roundabout have been curious about what appears to be a parallel road on the south edge running from Cedar Street east to a point where the roundabout rejoins Highway 20/126. This is an access or utility lane for eastbound oversized trucks unable to make the tight radius. Westbound, long loads have less of a curve to navigate.

Roundabout art

The art selection process for the roundabout has been published on the City website. The full scope of the project and application can be found here: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=13823.

The City of Sisters is conducting a search for an original, large scale, interpretive public artwork. The artwork is to be a permanent installation, situated in the roundabout.

The center of the roundabout is designed to feature interpretive artwork that expresses the theme of the Sisters area Western Heritage and Culture. This installation will serve as a "Welcome" feature to visitors of Sisters as well as the Central Oregon Region, according to city planners.

"The city and its partners recognize that artwork, well-integrated with the landscape architecture for the roundabout center island, will provide a safer intersection with a visual focal point that results in lower traffic speeds in addition to an aesthetic enhancement for the community," the City has posted.

The scope of this project will include sculpture design, fabrication, transportation, and installation.

The total project budget for this commission is $175,000, to include permit fees, stamped engineering drawings, subcontractors, footings/excavation, delivery, insurance, travel, restorative landscaping, installation, and a traffic mitigation plan (signage and flaggers) as per the City and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) permit requirements. Only Finalists will submit an itemized budget for the proposed project.

Selection process

Phase 1: A selection committee will select up to four finalists. The finalists will then create a physical 3D model from their site-specific concept. The model will be brought or sent to the City of Sisters for final review. A stipend for travel and design time of $1,750 will be offered to help finalists cover travel expenses to Sisters, and to present their project narrative and model to the committee. Each model will also be put on display for public viewing and input. Public input will guide the Committee in their evaluation of the proposed artwork designs.

Phase 2: Each of the finalists will present their model and narrative to the selection committee in person or via Zoom. The model must be either brought in person or sent to the City prior to the presentation. The committee will make their decision based on eligibility and the scoring criteria described above. Finalists will be required to include with the model a written narrative describing the proposed materials, the proposed location within the roundabout center island, how the proposal meets the above general requirements and specific parameters, and a schedule for commencing and completing the proposed artwork for delivery and installation.

Applications are due September 13, and finalists will be notified in late September. Two to three weeks of public input will be taken in January 2025 with the commission selection to be made in February 2025. The art work is expected to be installed Summer/Fall 2025.