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71 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, September 12, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 14, 2004 Since You Asked ‘X’ marks the spot for a newcity sign When they constructed the intersection at 99 and 62 near Rogue Valley Mall, there was no appreciable follow-up with landscaping. Is there a lack of funding, or was there simply no initiative to beautify? When they’re done with the new I-5 and highway 62 interchange, are dirt and weeds to be the only complement there, too? — Mike S., Medford Thanks for the question, Mike. According to John Vial, Oregon Department of Transportation district manager, the landscaping on the Highway 238/Jackson Street (Big X) project is now in the hands of the city. Shortly before the end of the project, ODOT transferred $125,000 to the city to be used for project landscaping. In addition to planting the median areas, the city is also responsible for the on-going maintenance and upkeep of the median areas. ODOT policy calls for the bare minimum for landscaping now , i.e. landscaping to prevent erosion (commonly called blow and grow hydroseeding). The policy requires that ornamental landscaping such as lawns, shrub beds, trees, etc. will only be installed if the local government agrees to maintain them. This is what is being done at the North Medford Interchange. ODOT and Medford have an agreement on maintenance for the new interchange. Medford will pay for all watering costs; will maintain the irrigation system; and will maintain all the planting strips adjacent to the roadways. ODOT will complete the mowing, tree and shrub maintenance, litter removal, etc. in the large landscaped areas between the ramps. This will also include the west side of the North Medford Interchange, said Vial. Advertisement Meanwhile, back at the Big X, Parks and Recreation Director Scott Archer, said the large berm hillside across from the mall (and Target) is actually about to get a big new Medford sign. The sign will be about six feet tall and will be made of a meandering ribbon of steel about 20 feet long. The $29,000 sign is currently being built by Wisdom Signs and Graphics in Phoenix, and should be ready for installation in September. Landscaping is also planned for the site. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities