Bend Reopens Franklin Underpass to Traffic for Holidays
The Franklin Avenue underpass reopens November 20, 2026, and stays open through January 3, 2027, before closing again for construction.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The City of Bend will reopen the Franklin Avenue underpass to traffic by end of day on November 20, 2026, and keep it open through Sunday, January 3, 2027. Franklin Avenue between Harriman Street and First Street remains fully closed for construction.
Why it matters
The temporary reopening gives Bend drivers improved access to businesses, shopping destinations, and holiday travel routes during the busy season. It comes as the Franklin Avenue Improvements Project works to modernize utilities and reduce flooding at the undercrossing.
The underpass is open for roughly six weeks, from November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027, while Franklin Avenue between Harriman Street and First Street stays fully closed. Project completion is currently anticipated by end of May 2027, though the timeline is not yet confirmed.
The players
City of Bend
The City of Bend, Oregon, is the municipal government overseeing the Franklin Avenue Improvements Project and the reopening schedule.
The details
Drivers should expect active construction in nearby work zones while the underpass is open. The Franklin Avenue Improvements Project is modernizing utilities and reducing flooding at the undercrossing as crews work toward completion.
Timeline
November 20, 2026: Underpass reopens to traffic by end of day.
January 3, 2027: Holiday reopening period ends.
January 4, 2027: Underpass closes again and construction resumes.
End of May 2027: Project completion currently anticipated.
Openings & Closings Context
The holiday reopening is a temporary pause within the Franklin Avenue Improvements Project, which is modernizing utilities and reducing flooding at the underpass. Construction resumes January 4, 2027, with completion currently anticipated by end of May 2027.
Bend drivers can use the underpass for holiday trips from November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027, but should plan around active nearby work zones. Full closure of Franklin Avenue between Harriman Street and First Street remains in effect throughout.
The takeaway
Plan holiday trips through the Franklin Avenue underpass before January 3, 2027, when it closes again. Expect construction delays on nearby streets until the project is completed around May 2027.
What happens next
The Franklin Avenue underpass closes again on January 4, 2027, when underpass construction resumes.
Further reading
For more local road and business closure updates, browse Openings & Closings coverage.
More information
Find Franklin Avenue project information and construction updates on the City of Bend website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MyCentralOregon.
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