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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 Verde Village rises again near dog park in Ashland ... Lawyers make final points in Ashland Little Caesars arson case ... OCT's '9 to 5' a fun blast with a serious message ... Verde Village rises again near dog park in Ashland ... Lawyers make final points in Ashland Little Caesars arson case ... OCT's '9 to 5' a fun blast with a serious message ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Nevada neighbors don't want bridge Comment By Jim Flint DailyTidings.com By Jim Flint Posted May. 3, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Jim Flint Posted May. 3, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News I attended the April 28 meeting of the Ashland Transportation Commission at which a proposed bridge across Bear Creek connecting West Nevada with East Nevada was discussed. The bridge has been on the minds of city leaders since the late 1990s, we were told at the meeting. The city already has secured more than $2 million toward the project, which is estimated to cost more than $6 million. If the city doesn’t begin construction by 2018, it will lose a $1.5 million grant, which is part of the money it has “secured.” After residents on both sides of Nevada offered opinions on the project, Transportation Commission members commented. Most of the commissioners’ comments demonstrated interest, appreciation for the input, and courtesy. Commissioner David Young, however, seemed a little piqued. Twice he chastised the people in attendance for coming “at the last minute” instead of early in the discussion. I moved into the Meadowbrook Park II neighborhood in 2009, at least 10 years after this idea was first raised. There were only six homes built in the subdivision of 80 lots. Most of us in that neighborhood now are new to Ashland. We received letters from the city about the April 28 meeting, and our attendance shows we are interested. Secondly, Young accused us of having a “not-in-my-back-yard” attitude. Presumably this bridge is proposed to improve transportation from the two neighborhoods affected — the West Nevada and East Nevada areas. The commission isn’t asking residents on Scenic Drive or Tolman Creek Road what they think about the project. Of course it’s in our back yards, by definition. The city isn’t saying, “We have a bridge — which neighborhood wants it?” Another reason given for the bridge is to provide access to Eagle Mill Road. Those of us on the East Nevada side have easy access to Eagle Mill Road. We drive up two or three blocks out of the neighborhood, cross the I-5 bridge, and we’re there. It’s easier than driving across a bridge and through the West Nevada neighborhoods to Oak Street and up to Eagle Mill. The West Nevada neighborhoods also have easy access to Eagle Mill Road. Another reason given for the bridge is to allow the Bear Creek Greenway to continue past the dog park. A small pedestrian-bicycle bridge would provide that access, and nobody at the hearing expressed opposition to that idea. Do I need a bridge connecting the two Nevada streets? If I’m driving to the grocery store, don’t need it. If I’m driving to the YMCA, don’t need it. If I’m driving to the university, don’t need it. If I’m connecting to I-5, don’t need it. If I’m going to the symphony, don’t need it. If I want to attend a high school football game or play, don’t need it. If I’m driving downtown, don’t need it, even though it might save me a couple minutes. If I want to visit somebody in the neighborhoods near West Nevada, it would be handy, but not necessary. There have been time and money spent to secure funds and develop plans, but I haven’t seen a cost-benefit analysis. They presented three design options at the hearing April 28. A fourth option — not constructing the bridge — was not presented. The cost of the bridge now — and it could go up — is more than $6 million. East Nevada has some dog-leg tight turns before it connects to North Mountain. Would East Nevada have to be widened and straightened? How much would that cost? There were pluses and minuses expressed at the meeting. But the majority on both sides of Bear Creek said they either didn’t want the bridge or didn’t think it was necessary. One person said she’d rather see the city repair the streets and infrastructure it has than build a bridge to nowhere. Amen. Parking is another need that shouldn’t be ignored. Too often cities spend money just because it’s available, via grants or whatever. It’s still taxpayers’ money. I don’t think it should be spent unless there’s a very good reason. The raison d’etre for this proposed bridge is far from clear. Jim Flint lives in Ashland. By Jim Flint DailyTidings.com By Jim Flint Posted May. 3, 2016 at 12:01 AM » 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... 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