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I-5 just another Medford street, study suggests Much interchange traffic going crosstown By JIM DAVIS Many of the cars and trucks whizzing through the south Medford interchange are simply trying to get from one part of town to another, according to a new traffic survey. By the numbers How many sample vehicles in the 11-hour ODOT study exited Interstate 5 at south Medford, listed by the freeway entrance they used (figures are estimates): North Medford: 45 percent, 2,844 of 6,319. Phoenix: 28 percent, 644 of 2,298. Central Point: 11 percent, 454 of 4,120. How many crossed over the freeway at the south interchange without getting on I-5: Eastbound: 37 percent, 3,569 of 9,646. Westbound: 36 percent, 3,144 of 8,734. About 45 percent of the motorists entering the freeway southbound from the north Medford interchange are getting off at the south Medford interchange, said Frank Stevens, a manager with the Oregon Department of Transportation. "What that is telling us is there is a lot of people using the interstate as a local arterial," Stevens said. "They're using the freeway as a local street." With that clue, solutions for unclogging the community's interchanges might include giving motorists a way to get around town that's easier than the freeway, said Jim Hanks of Eugene-based JRH Engineers, Planners and Project Managers. "If they could avoid that congestion, people would probably do it," Hanks said. The study was conducted by JRH in January when about 70 people sat at nearly all of the major intersections along Barnett Road. The "car watchers" also sat at all the interchanges from Central Point to Phoenix. For 11 hours, they counted every car with a license number ending with 4 -- the most easily recognized numeral. The study then used that sample to estimate the total number of cars. Based on the sample, about 45 percent of those vehicles that entered the freeway from the north interchange got off at the south interchange. The study also found that more than a third of the cars and trucks that drove over the Barnett Road overpass were just trying to get across town. Stevens said that these numbers are not a big shock. "It's been suspected, but this quantifies what is happening," Stevens said. There is no direct route from north to south Medford east of the freeway until motorists get to Foothill Road and North Phoenix Road, Stevens said. And he said that isn't even a clear route, because motorists must turn at Hillcrest Road. With the study, traffic engineers can think about developing a route for getting around town other than the freeway. "I would imagine if there was a better route they might just avoid the freeways," Hanks said. However, Hanks said, the firm isn't discounting any possible solutions. They will consider alternative routes, but they will still look at improving the interchange as well as reducing traffic by encouraging mass transit, bicycles and pedestrians. He noted that now, bicyclists and pedestrians shy away from the south Medford interchange. "I don't want to say you take your life in your hands -- that's not accurate -- but it's not comfortable," Hanks said. In September, JRH did a similar study on Highway 62. The firm is combining both studies to try to determine the traffic patterns at the city's interchanges. The consultants and ODOT will pare down the options for work on the interchanges in the next several months. Possible solutions for the north Medford interchange will be unveiled for public comment this fall or winter. Possible solutions for the south interchange will probably be presented next year. The environmental impact statement will be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration, and work won't begin on the projects for several years. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA