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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend January 6, 2006 Pedestrian bridge idea faces hard scrutiny By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune A proposed pedestrian bridge across Interstate 5 must be justified before $4 million is spent to build it in Central Point, transportation officials and a local legislator concluded. "Jointly we all want to make sure we’re making the right decision," said Art Anderson, area manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Rep. Dennis Richardson spearheaded the effort to get funding for the pedestrian bridge that has been proposed to connect Hazel Street on the west side of Interstate 5 to the Expo Center on the east. "It’s been a project I’ve been pushing," said the Central Point Republican. However, after meeting recently with ODOT officials, Richardson wants to make sure the public backs the idea before spending state transportation money. He also vowed not to take money from other transportation projects to pay for it. Advertisement Richardson said he believes a pedestrian bridge that would connect the west side of Central Point to the Expo Center — home to the county’s largest entertainment venue and the Jackson County Fair — would be a significant safety improvement for the city. He hopes that public hearings on the bridge could be completed by this fall. If it gains support, he hopes construction could begin by 2007. Anderson said a big question is how much the proposed pedestrian bridge would be used. "How much would it be used even during the fair?" he said. "We Americans are so in love with our cars." During the fair, a shuttle service takes fairgoers from the Crater High School parking lot to the Expo via Upton Road. Anderson said when he’s used the service, "the parking lot was by no means full." Because of a potential problem with parking at the pedestrian bridge, people would still have to be shuttled to it, and then would have to walk across it to get to the Expo. Anderson said there are other projects in the works that could improve pedestrian safety in Central Point. The bridge over the freeway at Upton Road will be replaced in 2008 and will include sidewalks and bicycle lanes. He said the route, which currently has no sidewalks, is "often used by kids going back and forth to school with backpacks and no place to walk." The county also will be replacing a bridge over Bear Creek on the same road around the same time. Both bridges will be wider to allow sidewalks and bike lanes. He said another proposal under consideration is improving the overpass at Pine Street for pedestrians. Anderson said it would be helpful to have sidewalks on Peninger Road, where the Expo is located, so visitors don’t have to walk in the road. ODOT might work with the county in the future to develop that project. Anderson said a future traffic study along the Pine Street corridor should give a better idea of the value of a pedestrian bridge. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail Pedestrian bridge idea faces hard scrutiny ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Cheap Website Hosting Discount Hotel Reservations Online Pharmacy Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans High End Computers Online Casino News Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Online Casino Fundraisers Advertisement s