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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW New altar completes Meditation Center ... Real talk about race ... Jackson County pot regulations in limbo ... New altar completes Meditation Center ... Real talk about race ... Jackson County pot regulations in limbo ... FERN VALLEY INTERCHANGE Exit 24's northbound on-ramp will open Wednesday night Comment By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings Posted Feb. 10, 2016 at 7:24 PM Updated Feb 10, 2016 at 7:31 PM By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings Posted Feb. 10, 2016 at 7:24 PM Updated Feb 10, 2016 at 7:31 PM » Social News PHOENIX — The northbound on-ramp at exit 24 in Phoenix — part of a plethora of changes at the emerging Fern Valley interchange — will be open for commuters Thursday morning. The Oregon Department of Transportation said the ramp was scheduled to open Wednesday night, the first step to opening Oregon's first "diverging diamond" interchange. Northbound traffic on I-5 will be restricted to a single lane through Friday to allow traffic to accelerate in the northbound slow lane as drivers get onto the highway. ODOT spokesman Gary Leaming advised morning commuters from Ashland and Talent to leave earlier than usual because of potential delays, and to be mindful of the lane restriction as they pass through the freeway stretch. The temporary lane restriction will allow construction workers to finish connecting the on-ramp to I-5. The 50 mph construction zone speed limit will continue. Motorists are asked to be alert while traveling through the area because of potential congestion and delays. By Friday, a temporary northbound off-ramp, which will utilize Pear Tree Lane and South Phoenix Road, will open to vehicles. Construction of the $72 million Fern Valley interchange project started in the spring of 2014. The project is expected to wrap up in September 2016. On a diverging diamond interchange, vehicles approach the overpass in the right lane, which allows a free right turn onto the freeway. The lanes cross, allowing a free left turn onto the freeway headed the opposite direction, then cross back to put vehicles in the usual right-hand lanes as they continue on the road. Steps planned for the coming weeks including traffic signal installation and tearing down the old bridge. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings Posted Feb. 10, 2016 at 7:24 PM Updated Feb 10, 2016 at 7:31 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501