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Interchange projects backed by U.S. House By JOHN DARLING MEDFORD - The U.S. House of Representatives has approved $6 million toward revamping the north and south Medford freeway interchanges. A just-passed Transportation Appropriation Act also includes $850,000 for clean-burning natural-gas buses here. The $6 million goes toward the $36 million rebuilding of the north interchange to allow access to Highway 62 without having to use Biddle Road. That project starts in late 2003. It will also help build new ramps and an overpass at the south interchange, relieving congestion on Barnett Road. That project starts in 2005 and will cost $50 million. "We've got to keep pace with growth," said Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., in announcing the appropriation. "The Rogue Valley is one of the fastest-growing areas of the state and I-5 is the third-most heavily traveled truck corridor in the nation. It's essential that we get these two interchanges in place." The House of Representatives passed the bill (HR 2299) Friday and Walden said it's only a small step for conferees to agree on minor changes in the similar Senate bill. All budgets are getting squeezed by recession and unforeseen spending on the war but, he said, "We're confident the Senate will approve it. You can put it in the bank." The freeway projects are joint efforts of the Oregon Department of Transportation, the city of Medford, Jackson County and the federal government. The north interchange has completed its environmental assessment and found no significant impact. However, businesses that will be affected by project have filed a notice of appeal, which is now in the hands of the state attorney general, said Gary Leaming of ODOT's Medford office. The agency's right-of-way agents are beginning talks with property owners who be paid the market value for their property, he said. ODOT will also relocate tenant businesses. The 45-day public comment period for the south interchange ends Monday at 5 p.m. Comments may be faxed to Greg Holthoff, environmental project manager, 503-986-3524. Both projects are intended to reduce congestion, accidents and air pollution from slow-moving traffic, Leaming said. The $850,000 earmarked for Rogue Valley Transportation District will buy three new natural gas-powered buses, said director Sherrin Coleman, which when combined with an earlier federal grant, will bring the district's fleet to 70 percent natural gas. The procurement process is slow, but RVTD should be rid of all its "diesel-burning dinosaurs" in a few years, she added. Walden said the freeway projects are a priority because Medford has few highway access points, leading to a concentration of traffic at the two interchanges. The improvements will boost the area's economy by providing construction jobs and making it easier for truckers and residents to move around the valley, he said. John Darling is a free-lance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.