We’d like to recount for you some old-fashioned government accountability, courtesy of Bend City Councilor Steve Platt. A 2024 analysis estimated the bridge design chosen would cost between $29 million and $36 million. Basically the city didn’t take a deep dive into what ODOT would require when the city disrupted travel lanes. A good strategy for the city on the pedestrian bridge would be to promise less and deliver more. We have to say the new, proposed design with the outline of the bridge echoing the mountains is a beautiful idea.