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New interchange design approved Work could start by 2003; will close 4 businesses, plus small mall By JESSICA SMITH A team of local transportation officials and community members directed the state Tuesday to move ahead with a plan to build a new freeway interchange in north Medford. The North Medford Interchange Solutions Team voted unanimously to endorse a modified project design that will force the closure of four businesses and a small mall. "You know the decision you make will impact people who have worked their whole lives for what they have," said Mike Montero, a solutions team member. But those effects, he said, must be weighed against the "greater good" for the community - in this case, reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality. "The decision was pretty much made for us," Montero said. The project - also intended to address safety concerns on Highway 62, including traffic delays and backups - involves a new freeway interchange and upgrades to the highway between the interchange and Bullock Road. Oregon Department of Transportation officials said changes made in the original project design - which increase the number of displaced businesses from five to as many as 13 - came at the request of area property owners. ODOT engineers have worked with a group of business owners to reduce the project's effects on access and parking, among other things. But the changes mean additional business closures, including stores in a small mall next to Rogue Regency Inn, as well as the International House of Pancakes, Denny's Restaurant, Carl's Jr. restaurant and the Best Western Pony Soldier Inn. Expected to cost about $26 million, the interchange overhaul is just half of the plan for Highway 62. Transportation officials continue to design improvements to the highway from Delta Waters Road in Medford to Highway 140 outside White City. Tuesday, the solutions team directed the Oregon Department of Transportation to move ahead with plans to build a hybrid highway to White City. Traffic destined for the interchange would continue to use Highway 62, while drivers headed to shopping centers such as Costco would use a secondary road. Frank Stevens, who heads up the projects for ODOT, said the state will now develop construction plans for the interchange overhaul. If all goes as scheduled, construction of the new interchange would start in 2003. By the end of the summer, Stevens said, ODOT should begin right-of-way negotiations with business and property owners affected by the interchange construction. There's no timeline or budget for construction on the second phase of the Highway 62 project - the hybrid highway to White City. According to Stevens, ODOT will refine plans now under development so designs are complete when construction funds become available. Reach reporter Jessica Smith at 776-4481, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.