Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... FERN VALLEY INTERCHANGE New Bear Creek Bridge opens to traffic in Phoenix Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 12, 2015 at 11:37 AM Updated Jun 12, 2015 at 11:56 AM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 12, 2015 at 11:37 AM Updated Jun 12, 2015 at 11:56 AM » Social News PHOENIX — Au revoir, old Bear Creek Bridge. The $72 million makeover at exit 24 has cleared another hurdle, with the Oregon Department of Transportation shifting Thursday evening from the old bridge over Bear Creek to the first two lanes of the new bridge. "This is somewhat of a milestone in the sense that we have traffic on the new structure," said ODOT spokesman Gary Leaming . The new Bear Creek Bridge is part of work to upgrade exit 24 to a "diverging diamond" pattern, the first of its kind in Oregon. In this type of interchange, vehicles approach the overpass in the right lane, which allows a free right turn onto the freeway. The lanes cross, allowing a free left turn onto the freeway headed the opposite direction, then cross back to put vehicles in the usual right-hand lanes as they continue on the road. Work is expected to wrap up September 2016. The bridge carrying Fern Valley Road over Bear Creek was originally constructed in 1948. The Jackson County Roads and Parks Department previously reported that engineers discovered cracks in the bridge during a routine inspection in 2007. The county restricted loads to 40 tons because of the cracks, sending trucks with heavier loads headed to businesses along Highway 99 on alternate routes. Those detours for large loads remain in place until the entire bridge is completed, officials said. "It's certainly outlived its usefulness," Leaming said of the old bridge. Demolition of the old bridge is expected to take place in the next few weeks, he added, and two more lanes will be added on the new bridge's south side. "When all is said and done, you'll have sidewalks on either side, you'll have bike lanes on each side, and you'll have two lanes in each direction on each side," Leaming said. As other work continues on the interchange project, the 50-mph zones for traffic passing on Interstate 5 will remain in place. Leaming encouraged motorists — either just passing by or exiting to Phoenix — to abide by the limit and drive cautiously. "Just be aware of the change in the environment around there because it is so new," Leaming said. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 12, 2015 at 11:37 AM Updated Jun 12, 2015 at 11:56 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501