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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley 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 August 30, 2006 Though the Medford City Council and some residents want to keep the northbound entrance to Interstate 5 off Barnett Road, state transportation managers say it would be too close to the new south Medford interchange. (Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli) ON-RAMP DISCORD ODOT says the northbound I-5 ramp on Barnett Road has got to go By Meg Landers Mail Tribune The state transportation agency and the city are at odds over whether to demolish an existing interstate on-ramp — and the state transportation agency insists it's got to go. The northbound on-ramp from westbound Barnett Road in Medford needs to come out for reasons of safety and congestion and to eliminate confusion, said Art Anderson, area manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation. "We feel strongly about demolishing all ramps at the current interchange," he wrote in a letter to the Medford City Council. But Councilman Bob Strosser contends it's a waste of money to take out a ramp that could benefit local drivers. Once the new south Medford interchange is built, drivers won't be able to access the freeway from Barnett Road and will have to take an extension of Highland Drive. The council in recent weeks sent a letter to state representatives Peter Buckley, Dennis Richardson and Sal Esquivel and Sen. Alan Bates asking for help in pushing ODOT to reconsider retention of the on-ramp. Demolition of the existing ramps is part of the $70 million south Medford interchange project, now under construction. Advertisement One of the primary purposes of the new interchange is to pull much of the traffic off Barnett Road, which is already congested and often gridlocked, according to ODOT. With freeway traffic relocated, Barnett Road will function better as an east-west connector for local traffic, Anderson said. Engineers have determined it would create confusion for drivers if there was just one on-ramp for one direction. Additionally, current state standards require a three-mile space between on-ramps; keeping the old on-ramp would allow just a third of a mile of space between it and the new interchange. The Federal Highway Administration would not support the ramps being so close together, Anderson said. "They're a big player in making sure their system is protected," he said. Allen Stewart, a Jacksonville resident who drives the south interchange two to three times per week, is among many residents who recently have questioned the demolition of a functioning ramp. He said he supports trying to keep the onramp, especially given that there are nearby businesses built up around the existing interchange. "Why would you want to take away off-ramps where you've got hotels, grocery stores, fast food and gas stations?" he said. Stewart said he worries that removal of the ramps will result in interstate drivers avoiding the interchange altogether because it will be too confusing to try to find Barnett Road businesses such as Dairy Queen. "I think they're spending our money just to spend our money," he said. Anderson said the demolition of the project consists of removing asphalt and re-seeding the area, totalling no more than $10,000 to $20,000. Anderson said this issue has been on the table for years, and the council has been behind it. "The city of Medford was fully supportive of the way this was going," he said. But Strosser said that's not completely true. "We have asked the question and they repeatedly have answered with an answer that doesn't seem to resonate," said Strosser. "There has been a dialogue but there hasn't been a common understanding." He said ODOT is "hiding behind the federal policy." Anderson said if council members want to continue to push for some kind of waiver or deviation from the rules, that's their prerogative. "We aren't hiding behind anybody's policy or anything," said Anderson. "We're just trying to respond factually to the questions we were asked about." Strosser said he did not know whether the council would pursue further action. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews