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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend March 1, 2007 South interchange challenged Federal lawsuit claims the Federal Highway Administration used faulty analyses in placement of freeway ramps By Meg Landers Mail Tribune Five east Medford residents have filed a lawsuit in federal court in Portland alleging the south Medford freeway interchange project violates federal regulations. John Pearson, Ivend Holen, Richard and Joan Simonson and Richard Bridenstine claim that the Oregon Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration used faulty analyses to justify moving the interchange from Barnett Road to Garfield Street, about 1,500 feet south. The residents claim the new interchange as planned will direct nonlocal traffic coming off the freeway to Highland Drive and Garfield Street, which serve primarily as neighborhood access roads, devaluing properties, creating blight and harming the Bear Creek wildlife area. The plaintiffs claim ODOT knew about the faulty analysis but did not disclose it. The residents have been active members of the Eastside Neighborhood Association, which opposed the south Medford interchange project from the start. In 2003, the association collected signatures for a ballot initiative to amend the city charter to require a public vote for all city agreements with state and federal governments for state highway projects. Medford voters rejected the measure 3 to 1. The residents filed the suit against the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration on Friday. Advertisement "We are not going to be seeking an injunction to immediately stop the project," said Karl Anuta, Portland attorney representing the residents. He said their hope is ODOT builds the new interchange in combination with the existing interchange, and keeps the Barnett Road ramps in place. "We'd rather they didn't put in all the new off-ramps that they're wanting to do," he said. They also hope to see a third interchange built at South Stage Road. He said even though construction is already underway, the changes could still be made without having to tear out what's been built. Anuta said under the National Environmental Policy Act, a federal agency must evaluate all alternatives and do analyses of impacts before making a decision. He said in issuing the NEPA document for the south interchange project, the highway administration didn't take into account other projects that have been approved. Art Anderson, ODOT area manager, said his agency followed the NEPA process and declined comment on the lawsuit. "We're the ones who are building the project but the suit is not against us," he said. David Cox, of the Federal Highway Administration regional office in Portland, also declined comment on the suit. "Once we've been sued we have to turn it over to the Department of Justice," he said. The department, in Washington, D.C., could not be reached late Wednesday. Medford City Councilman Bob Strosser, who has supported the retention of the northbound on-ramp at the existing interchange, said he was not aware of the lawsuit and was not working with the plaintiffs. Anuta said a ruling could be issued as soon as four or five months. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary