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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 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 February 1, 2007 House sacrificed for street widening By Meg Landers Mail Tribune Nothing but rubble remains of the house on the corner of Hillcrest Road and East Jackson Street in east Medford, making way for the street-widening and curve-straightening project slated to begin in the spring. "The utilities have to be relocated," said Cory Crebbin, public works director. "I think one pole goes right about where the chimney was." The Medford City Council in 2005 approved plans to modify East Jackson Street from Berkeley Way to Hillcrest Road and Hillcrest Road from East Jackson to Valley View Drive. The project includes new curbs, gutters, sidewalks, bike lanes and left-turn lanes at several intersections as well as a traffic signal at East Jackson Street and Sunrise Avenue. In 2006 the city settled with the homeowners on a $460,000 price for the house at 2209 Hillcrest Road, to allow for the partial straightening of the street curve, deemed by engineers to be too sharp. Dozens of area residents testified in public hearings before the City Council between April and July 2005, seeking to preserve the ambiance of the narrow, tree-lined street. City engineers and council members worked with the neighbors on a compromise. Originally proposed as 44 feet wide with a center turn lane and 7-foot-wide sidewalks, East Jackson will be 32 feet wide with 5-foot-wide sidewalks. The compromise also includes 4-foot-wide bicycle lanes, a foot narrower than originally proposed. Dennis Hart, public works design and construction manager, said after the utility lines are relocated and the contract has been awarded, work will begin on a storm drain and new pavement on Berkeley Way near Oregon Avenue. After that section is complete, crews will work on Jackson Street between Berkeley Way and Sunrise Avenue. Hart said the project is expected to take four to five months. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or at [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 Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help