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SUNNY Temp: 53 °F Wind: NE at 13 mph Thursday, February 6, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 26, 2003 Traffic backs up on state Highway 62 near the Delta Waters Road intersection on a weeknight rush hour. The Rogue Valley Council of Governments has presented a proposal for a bypass expressway to the west, roughly following the Medco haul road. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven One proposal to relieve congestion on Highway 62: an expressway By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune The Rogue Valley needs a fix for what the state has labeled a congestion problem for the last 20 years, but a solution could take another couple of decades to get up and running. "They definitely need to find something to ease traffic on 62," said Ted Dole, owner of Water World Boating Center on Highway 62. With 40,000 daily trips on Highway 62 — which is at or exceeds the state’s maximum limit — studies estimate the number will be at 70,000 in 20 years. After four years of batting around plans, the favorite of some area residents and agencies is to build an expressway west of and parallel to Highway 62. "We looked at about 50 alternatives," said Frank Stevens, Oregon Department of Transportation project manager. "We basically eliminated alternatives that offered little benefit." The proposal under consideration would cost $130 million and run about from Whittle Avenue to near Corey Road, and much of it would follow the old Medco haul road, a private drive that Medford Corp. built to transport logs to its mill. Expressway traffic would travel faster than Highway 62 traffic does now because, aside from the two access points, which may be on-ramps that pass underneath the existing road, the only other intersection would be at East Vilas Road. Local traffic could turn more easily on and off what is now Highway 62 to access businesses. That road would be turned over to the city and county, and possibly be made into a regional boulevard, with sidewalks, bike lanes and landscaping. So far the design is just lines on paper; no engineering has been done, according to ODOT officials. The Rogue Valley Council of Governments is keeping momentum going on a project that was at one time identified as part of ODOT’s North Medford Interchange Project. Because money hasn’t been set aside, ODOT dropped the expressway proposal to get the north interchange project going. Several RVCOG staff members presented the expressway proposal at Thursday’s Medford City Council meeting. "The purpose of the expressway is not to divert traffic but to separate two types of traffic," said John Morrison of RVCOG. With through-traffic traveling Highway 62 and regional shopping traffic making turns, the present state is like the worst of both worlds because there are many traffic delays and it’s difficult to turn, according to RVCOG staff. Some council members expressed concern. "I’m not sure this is not an exercise in futility," said Councilman Jim Key. "There has to be a commitment on the part of the landowners out there." Morrison acknowledged that there would be land deals that would have to be made. "This is the best alternative we have," he said. "We are moving ahead with a certain number of unknowns." Councilwoman Claudette Moore pointed out that with all the construction going on in White City and further north, something has to be done to remedy the increasing burden on Highway 62. Another alternative is to eliminate much of the access to businesses along Highway 62 and turn the existing highway into an expressway. Area business owners oppose this idea, but also have concerns about this new road proposal. There’s no money for construction, and ODOT said 20 years could pass before the separate expressway project happens. That’s why the owner of Water World stopped attending meetings on the idea, he said. "How can you plan for something 20 years down the road?" said Dole. "It’s going to be a lot different out here in 20 years than it is now." But RVCOG’s Dan Moore said it may not take that long, especially if the project is broken down into sections. "We’re hopeful that ODOT can identify funding to do the project," he said. "Construction could start in three to five years." Besides, he added, planning takes time. "If we wait until we know it’s going to be built, it may be too late." And Moore said there are other reasons to get residents involved now. "It will increase the chance for funding when Congress sees there’s local support for building." ODOT already owns the old Medco haul road and would have to purchase right-of-ways. Some nearby landowners say they support the proposal. "How it will impact our property is probably minor," said Reg Breeze, who owns property that runs up against the old Medco haul road. He says it’s a good plan to take the pressure off Highway 62, but he doesn’t think it will happen anytime soon. "I’ll be at Memory Gardens (cemetery) before this thing comes in," he said. Mike Burrill Sr., who owns property near Costco and the airport, supports the proposal. "We need to do something," he said. "It’s going to be almost impassable if they don’t do something." Burrill has been involved in some of the planning and hopes construction is closer to 10 years away. He said it won’t give his property more access, but there’s an overall benefit to the whole area. "What’s best for the community is to have this expressway built," he said. For more information or to learn about upcoming public meetings, contact Dan Moore of Rogue Valley Council of Governments at 664-6676, extension 217, or visit www.rvcog.org on the Web. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] North Medford interchange planning nears completion The Oregon Department of Transportation’s $38 million north Medford interchange project is in the advanced planning stages. ODOT engineers are working out details like traffic signals, placement of poles and road striping. The project is scheduled to go to bid Oct. 23 with construction beginning in early 2004 and lasting two years. The project will displace 12 businesses, some of which have already moved or closed. Advantages of the new interchange, according to ODOT project information specialist Gary Leaming, are that it gives drivers direct access between Interstate 5 and Highway 62, separating local and interstate traffic, and it will be easier to figure out. "It’s much more intuitive," said Leaming. "It’s less confusing for out-of-towners." Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S