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I-5 asphalt work down the road When we moved to Phoenix 14 years ago to a home facing Interstate 5, we were told that the highway would be asphalt-coated in a couple of years. We are still waiting and sure would appreciate the reduced traffic noise that coating accomplishes. The highway through Phoenix and Talent has become very rough with many patches, large cracks, etc. Can you find out a date that this is now scheduled for and will this date mean anything? -- Elmer W., Phoenix The check is in the mail ... well, no ... actually, the project is on the list. According to John Vial, area manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation, a portion of Interstate 5 from the north Ashland exit to south Medford is now on the state transportation improvement plan (a list of approved projects) for rehabilitation in the summer of 2004. A final pavement design has not yet been set. It could be anything from a whole new roadbed to just an asphalt overlay. But Vial says an asphalt overlay is likely to be selected because of the traffic-routing problems associated with waiting for concrete to cure. As for the second part of your question, you're right. Don't schedule that earplug removal before you see the orange signs on the road. The project date is subject to change. The state list is subject to revision based on funding priorities -- a combination of which projects are most needed and which can be funded with the money at hand. Already the project has been bumped from 2003 to the following year. And while we're on the subject of bad news, Vial says don't get your hopes up about the freeway getting a lot quieter after the project is complete. Studies have shown only a three-decibel difference in noise produced by various types of road surfaces, according to Vial. Besides motor noise, most road noise comes from cars themselves displacing air as they speed down the interstate. "It's the roar that you hear when the car goes by," explained Vial. That said, when the road really deteriorates, noise can increase. "Once it's rehabbed, he may notice some difference," he said. "It's not going to be great." ("Since You Asked'' is a daily feature in the Mail Tribune that answers questions from readers on virtually any topic of general interest. To submit a question, e-mail us at [email protected] Please include your name, address and phone number for verification. If you have specific questions about our Web site or other questions about the Mail Tribune, please send them to [email protected] ) Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA