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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 September 8, 2004 Central Point bridges, interchange discussed CENTRAL POINT — Three bridge replacements and future improvements to the Seven Oaks interchange on Interstate 5 will be the topics of an open house from 6 to 8 tonight in the Scenic Middle School cafeteria. A two-lane bridge over I-5 at Blackwell Road (Exit 35) and a pair of two-lane bridges spanning railroad tracks to the north are planned as part of the $1.5 billion Transportation Investment Act. The work is scheduled to begin in May. In addition, transportation officials are seeking suggestions on a transportation-management plan for the Seven Oaks interchange, which has become a hub for trucking, said Mike Baker, a senior planner with the Oregon Department of Transportation. Baker said the bridges are being replaced because of cracking and to accommodate growth. "As growth in the Rogue Valley occurs, we expect this area to see increased traffic," Baker said. "When we put a bridge in, that bridge is generally expected to be there for at least the next 50 to 75 years." Advertisement Upon completion, the Blackwell Road bridge over the freeway will have a slightly different alignment, an added turn lane and be constructed to allow expansion of I-5 to six lanes, if needed. The two bridges spanning the Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad line would be constructed to allow a third lane to be added if needed. Baker said the $19.6 million project was unrelated to a proposal by Jackson County commissioners to connect Blackwell Road to Highway 140. "This project won’t preclude that idea from happening in the future, but we won’t be planning a route to 140 either," Baker said. "We’re really just planning improvements to this interchange." ODOT consultant project manager Tim Fletcher encouraged area residents to participate in the open house. "By all means we’d like people to come out and see what’s being proposed and give us some feedback as we proceed with the design," he said. 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