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Public can weigh in on fix for I-5 ramp Timetable laid out for south interchange By PETER WONG A state official and a consultant say the Medford City Council and the public will get their say-so before any solution is put forth for traffic congestion at the south Medford freeway interchange. "We realize that we have no project if we move forward with alternatives that have no council support," said Frank Stevens, project manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation. "Nothing is going to happen unless a lot of people say yes," said David Mayfield of URS Corp. of Portland, which is helping write an environmental impact statement for the project. The two spoke at a council study session Thursday, when they laid out a timetable for an analysis of alternatives and the writing of the statement, which precedes major construction. "I certainly do not want a solution crammed down my throat," said Councilman Jim Key. Other council members said that because any of the alternatives is likely to require improvements to city streets as well as the Interstate 5 interchange, the council and the public will have chances to weigh in with their opinions. Three of the seven options being considered so far propose widening Groveland Avenue as an arterial, which neighbors have opposed vociferously. "Their concerns are real," said Councilman Skip Knight. "But there are opportunities for them to participate in the process." Councilman Bill Moore, whose Ward 4 covers the affected area of southeast Medford, said the council will have a say because of the likely tie-in required with the city street network. "People get paranoid that some engineer or somebody they have no contact with or no influence over is going to make the final decision about what happens on their street," Moore said afterward. "My answer is that last time I looked, we still have home rule." The interchange is among the city's worst traffic bottlenecks. The project to relieve congestion may cost up to $30 million, part of it from the state through federal grants, the rest from the city, the urban renewal agency and private developers. Federal law requires an environmental impact statement for projects paid from federal grants or subject to federal permits. Interstate highway work qualifies under both categories. The city is footing the bill for it to a maximum of $1.5 million. The schedule of future work on the project indicates officials will: Complete an analysis of the seven options (published July 11 in the Mail Tribune) by April. Narrow the list of options by May. That could include combining elements from among the seven now on the table. Prepare a draft environmental impact statement on those options, June-November 2000. Mayfield said the draft must consider at least two alternatives, plus a no-build alternative analyzing the consequences if there is no project. Hold a public hearing led by ODOT on the draft, December 2000. Prepare a final environmental impact statement, January-May 2001. A final statement, unlike the draft, can identify a "preferred alternative." Publish a final statement, June 2001. Construction is scheduled for 2003, but funding for the south Medford interchange and other projects hinges on whether Oregon voters uphold or reject increases in gasoline taxes and vehicle registration fees in the May 16 primary election. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA