Caldera Roundabout

Project Completed: 2023

Pahlisch Homes, Inc. & City of Bend

As Southeast Bend continues to grow, the need for safe and efficient transportation infrastructure has never been greater. One of the most critical improvements to support this growth was the addition of a single-lane roundabout along SE 15th Street, directly adjacent to the newly built Caldera High School and within the first phases of the Easton master-planned community. 

AKS stepped in to deliver a design that would not only serve the immediate traffic demands of the high school but also provide long-term capacity for hundreds of acres of planned development in the area. The project presented a unique challenge: The Bend-La Pine School District (BLSD) had already begun constructing roadway improvements for the school, meaning AKS had to rapidly develop a complete roundabout design that coordinated seamlessly with work already underway. 

Working closely with the City of Bend, BLSD, utility providers, and contractors, AKS led a collaborative process to shape roadway geometry, grades, stormwater solutions, right-of-way needs, and utility relocations. With the school year fast approaching, the team also created traffic control and detour plans that allowed construction to be completed on an accelerated 10-week summer schedule. 

Beyond capacity improvements, the Caldera Roundabout was designed with safety and accessibility in mind. Marked pedestrian crossings, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant ramps, and enhanced sidewalks provide safe and convenient routes for students and families. For cyclists, the surrounding street network and nearby trail system offer a lower-stress alternative to major roadways, creating an environment that supports a broader range of ages and abilities. Together, these features ensure the roundabout functions as more than an intersection—it serves as a vital connection point linking schools, parks, neighborhoods, and the larger Southeast Bend community. 

Today, the Caldera Roundabout stands as a key gateway along SE 15th Street. It enhances safety, maintains smooth traffic flow, and meets the daily needs of students and families while laying the groundwork for the continued growth of Southeast Bend. 

Aerial view of the Caldera Roundabout along SE 15th Street in Southeast Bend, Oregon, showing the single-lane roundabout connecting nearby neighborhoods, open fields, and natural areas with walking trails near Caldera High School.

Civil Engineering

AKS provided comprehensive civil engineering services for the design and construction of the Caldera Roundabout along the rapidly developing SE 15th Street corridor. The roundabout was designed to increase intersection capacity and improve safety for both Caldera High School and hundreds of acres of planned development within the Easton master-planned community. 

Our engineering team delivered a complete roadway design package that incorporated key transportation and safety features, including ADA-compliant curb ramps, crosswalks, and pedestrian connections. The design also addressed roadway widening, profile changes, curb and drainage improvements, sidewalk infill, pavement markings, and street lighting. In addition, AKS led the planning for traffic control and detours during construction, coordinated necessary right-of-way services, and oversaw utility relocations to support the new infrastructure. 

Through this work, AKS helped ensure that the roundabout met the immediate needs for the school opening while providing long-term capacity and connectivity for Southeast Bend’s growing community. 

Construction Support

AKS provided complete construction support services to bring the Caldera Roundabout from design to completion on a highly accelerated schedule. Our team managed construction permitting and staking at the outset, while also coordinating closely with the City of Bend, utility providers, contractors, and nearby property owners to keep the project moving smoothly. 

Because the roundabout needed to be completed before the opening of Caldera High School, AKS worked within a condensed 10-week construction window. This required proactive scheduling, utility coordination, and traffic control planning to minimize disruptions for the surrounding community. Public outreach and consistent communication with stakeholders helped ensure the project stayed on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with City standards. 

Through this focused support, AKS helped deliver a safe, fully operational roundabout that now connects the Easton master-planned community with the rapidly developing SE 15th Street corridor. 

Land Surveying

AKS provided land surveying services to support the design and construction of the Caldera Roundabout and associated improvements along SE 15th Street. Our survey team provided the precise data needed to guide roadway widening, enhance pedestrian crossings with refuges, install ADA-compliant curb ramps, and design new sidewalks to meet City and Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) standards. 

Surveying also supported the infill of approximately 2,700 linear feet of sidewalk along the east side of SE 15th Street, creating safer pedestrian connections between Reed Market Road and SE King Hezekiah Way. By supplying accurate, reliable measurements from start to finish, AKS ensured that the roundabout and surrounding improvements were built to design specifications, met accessibility requirements, and seamlessly integrated into the growing transportation network of Southeast Bend. 

Landscape Architecture

AKS provided landscape architecture services to enhance both the appearance and functionality of the Caldera Roundabout. The design features low-maintenance plantings with seasonal color, creating a vibrant and welcoming entrance to the Easton community while ensuring long-term sustainability. 

To further support Bend’s climate and environmental goals, the planting palette emphasizes native and drought-tolerant species, paired with efficient irrigation systems that conserve water and reduce ongoing maintenance costs. By balancing aesthetics, sustainability, and practicality, AKS’s landscape architecture team helped transform the roundabout into more than just an intersection—it’s a gateway that reflects the character of the growing community. 

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