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County may transfer 3 roads, plus money, to Central Point By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune A proposed road transfer between Jackson County and Central Point could pave the way for improvements to West Pine Street, Haskell Street and Freeman Road. The three roads are within Central Point's boundaries but are county owned and maintained. Wednesday, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners discussed a transfer that would include a one-time contribution of $93,000 to Central Point to defray maintenance costs. The county's contribution is based on the cost of a single asphalt resurfacing application. A public hearing to decide the issue has been slated for Jan. 30. According to county planning director Joe Strahl, the proposal is part of a program that encourages cities to take ownership of county roads within city limits. Past exchanges included portions of Stewart Avenue in Medford and a section of Scenic Avenue in Central Point. "The county's position is that we think those roads are better served once they're annexed," Strahl said. "We don't put a lot of money into those roads inside city limits." Jackson County has jurisdiction of West Pine Street from Haskell Street to Glen Way, 700 feet of Haskell Street starting north of West Pine Street, and a portion of Freeman Road starting 350 feet south of Oak Street to Chestnut Street. Central Point public works director Bob Pierce said all three portions of the roads are part of street improvement projects. If the transfer is approved in January, Pierce said the contribution will be used to pay for part of a $409,000 construction project to widen Haskell and West Pine Streets. The project is expected to be completed sometime in December, weather permitting. The work also includes a $150,000 traffic signal at the intersection. "It's been a long time in coming," Pierce said. "We have really been needing this." However, Pierce said the county's contribution will not pay for necessary improvements to West Pine Street, Haskell Street and Freeman Road that would bring each street up to city standards. The city will have to install proper drainage along each road. The roads will need sidewalks, general improvements and regular maintenance, Pierce added. No cost estimates were available. "Those roads are rarely, if ever, up to city standards," Pierce said. "The cost of rebuilding a road is quite substantial." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.