Work is under way on new sidewalks, a proposed roundabout, and on a pedestrian-friendly plaza, all on North Bend Way. The sidewalk project is a long-delayed reality that’s almost complete. The roundabout work could happen in two years, and the plaza could happen somewhere in between.

“We still have the grant money for the plaza,” says North Bend Community and Economic Development Director Gina Estep, adding that the city should soon get the results from a traffic study of the area, needed to plan and design the project.

The grant, $350,000 in federal funds, requires a city match. It was awarded to North Bend in 2012, and is designated for work that will extend over several blocks of downtown North Bend, estimated to cost $1 million.

“The goal of that project is to make a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, essentially between Bendigo and Ballarat,” said North Bend Public Works Director Mark Rigos. Wider sidewalks, mid-block crossings and more lighting are all planned features of the plaza, although a proposed traffic circle at the intersection of Main Avenue, is no longer being considered.

“The intersection of Main and North Bend Way is the focal point of the project, because it’s the heart of downtown,” Estep explained, “but the plaza extends from Bendigo to Ballarat… the plaza is street and sidewalk improvements oriented toward creating a kind of retail, pedestrian-friendly core.”

Estep is excited about the possibilities for the plaza, especially if a proposed civic center, housing a new City Hall, performing arts theater and public gathering place, were to follow.

“They are different projects,” she stressed, and “they would both result in revitalization of downtown… If they were done together, it would be amazing.”

First, though, pedestrians will start finding things to be more friendly farther along North Bend Way, starting at Downing Avenue North. There, a city project to build sidewalks on the north side of the street between Downing and the Cedar Falls Way roundabout is well underway.

“That particular project should be wrapped up by the end of October,” said North Bend Public Works Director Mark Rigos.

It had a rough start, nearly two years ago when the North Bend City Council first approved it. The project was delayed twice on the recommendation of construction management firm Perteet, first while the city’s storm water facilities in the project area were upgraded, then when a Puget Sound Energy gas line was relocated from the project area.

Along with wider, handicapped-accessible walkways, the project will include curb bulb-outs and planter strips. Businesses along the project route are open during construction. Workers planned to minimize the effect on traffic shifting vehicles to open lanes throughout the project.

The future roundabout, on North Bend Way at the intersection of Downing Avenue North and Park Street, is so far just an idea. The city is seeking a consultant to plan and design the structure, and complete all of the necessary surveying and analysis required for the project.

“It seems to be a very popular project,” said Rigos, adding that he’s heard from residents, city staff and council members excited about it.

The location, among businesses and a large residential complex, makes the intersection very busy, Rigos said, “And Downing Street and Park Avenue do not line up. It’s an unsafe corridor in my professional opinion.”

At an estimated cost of more than $2 million, this project may include a 700-foot median extending from the Downing-Park intersection to the Cedar Falls Way roundabout, to control left-turning traffic.

“Another possibility is left turn pockets, which are different from a full median,” Rigos said.

Costs for the sidewalk project include the project bid of $286,000 from Larry Brown Construction, Inc., and $55,000 for construction management services from Perteet. The city received a grant of $156,430 for the project, through the state Transportation Improvement Board Urban Sidewalk program. The grant requires a 25 percent match from the city, or $52,144.

The Downing/Park roundabout project is probably two years out, Rigos estimated, but the plaza project could potentially begin next year.

All of these projects have been on the city’s six-year transportation improvement plan for the past two years.