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Medford studies I-5 interchange, overpass options in south Medford By Damian Mann Dec 15, 2022 01:00 AM A A Medford is making plans for either a freeway interchange or an overpass over I-5 near Stage Road in south Medford. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] Medford wants to kick-start its long-delayed goal of building a crossing over Interstate 5 at South Stage Road. The City Council Thursday will consider investing $800,000 in a partnership with Oregon Department of Transportation to conduct an in-depth study to determine the best type of crossing at South Stage to relieve pressure on the heavily congested south Medford interchange. “If the study shows an over-crossing or interchange is required for our current and future needs, the city will be working with ODOT to develop a financing plan,” said John Vial, Medford public works director. A team of consultants led by Kittleson and Associates will conduct a traffic analysis, environmental study and calculate how growth in the city will impact both the south Medford interchange and the potential crossing at South Stage. “This is a big study,” Vial said. The maximum amount the study would cost is $1.2 million, with Medford providing the lion’s share. The city would provide $700,000 from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and another $100,000 from gas tax dollars to help pay for the study. Over the past 50 years, the city has discussed how to provide a better east-west connection on the southern border of the city. Vial said this is the first in-depth analysis of how the over-crossing would affect the south Medford interchange, whose off-ramps have backed up to I-5. He said it is too early to discuss costs for a project like this. In 2009, the price tag for the south Medford interchange was $90 million. In 2021, ODOT widened the southbound off-ramp in south Medford to help ease congestion by adding dual left-turn lanes. In 2016, ODOT opened the interchange in Phoenix at a cost of $72 million. The area around South Stage is becoming a hot spot for development by both Phoenix and Medford, which could add to the congestion on the south Medford interchange. Pacific Retirement Services is gearing up to build 1,500 residential units on 470 acres surrounding Centennial Golf Club next to Rogue Valley Manor. Centennial Village would be built to the west of North Phoenix Road, and the 18-hole course is one of the main features of the housing plan. Other developers have projects in the works on the east side of North Phoenix Road. Phoenix has been developing a commercial area near its interchange around Home Depot. As part of the “mega corridor” project along Foothill Road, Medford is building a 1,000-foot roadway from North Phoenix Road toward the freeway, which would provide the South Stage connection if the I-5 crossing is built. Knife River Materials will spend $56,432,118 to turn a two-mile section of Foothill, from Hillcrest Road to Delta Waters, into four lanes, with turn lanes and bike lanes. Jackson County will smooth out the curves along another portion of Foothill from Delta Waters to Dry Creek Road for $6,658,671. Both projects are expected to start next year and be completed in 2026. Reach freelance writer Damian Mann at [email protected].