Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency Services ... Opponents appeal Costco's Central Point plan ... Medford police arrest purse snatching suspects ... Emergency Services ... Opponents appeal Costco's Central Point plan ... Medford police arrest purse snatching suspects ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Many reasons for wide Hwy. 97 corridor Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 5, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 5, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News We were driving to and from Bend recently and noticed that almost all the trees (but not all) had been cut back some 40 to 50 yards from Highway 97 for many miles north of the Diamond Lake cutoff. I know they just raised the speed limit along much of that stretch to 65 mph, but does ODOT have plans to add lanes and maybe even turn more of Highway 97 into a divided highway, similar to the area south of Bend? — Katherine, Medford The short answer to your question, Katherine, is not immediately. But that's a possiblity, and in the meantime, there are a number of other "practical" reasons for the wider strips of open space along U.S. Highway 97, according to Gary Leaming, a spokesman for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Leaming responded to your questions with a list of reasons for the wide swath that has been carved out along much of the highway from the Crater Lake/Diamond Lake turnoff to near LaPine. Here they are: At about 4,000 feet elevation, the highway is prone to snow and freezing weather. The wider corridor allows for it to be in the sunshine longer during the short winter days. When the sun is out, it helps keep the ice from forming sooner on the highway. For drivers, the clear zone is wider, which means should they crash, they won’t hit a tree. During deer migration time — mule deer cross Highway 97 to reach either the mountains or the basin — it allows drivers better visibility when deer are approaching the roadway. It also acts as a fuel break during forest fire season. And of course, Leaming noted, should the highway be widened in the future, it would help with that, too. — Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 5, 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... 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 MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501