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55 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, September 20, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 6, 2004 Council OKs Medford’s first roundabout By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune In spite of opposition from half a dozen residents and three council members, the Medford City Council, in a 5-to-3 vote, approved the plans for the city’s first roundabout at the intersection of Siskiyou Boulevard and Highland Drive. "It’s just a matter of people getting used to it," said Councilman John Michaels before voting for the new traffic design. The intersection, which had been identified in 1996 as one of 17 needed street projects, is considered dangerous because the intersection jogs and there are confusing turn lanes. " ‘Do nothing’ is not an alternative,’ " Public Works Directory Cory Crebbin told council members during the public hearing. But Medford resident Cynthia Lora said this intersection has a lot of skateboarders, pedestrians and bicyclists who would be sharing the same path. Advertisement "We question whether this is an appropriate solution for this intersection," she said. Medford resident Barbara Griffin said she was concerned that the new south Medford interchange project would dump more drivers, including drivers unfamiliar with a roundabout, on this intersection. "This decision is an accident waiting to happen," she said. But Councilman Jason Anderson said he felt confident that the traffic engineers had done their homework. He said he trusted their judgment that the roundabout is a better alternative to traffic signals, and it would be safer, cheaper and would improve air quality. Councilmen Bob Strosser, Greg Jones and Jim Key voted against the proposal. "I hope we do not have the opportunity four or five years down the road to say, ‘Gosh, we made a mistake,’ " said Key. Construction of the $750,000 project could begin as early as spring. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities