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SUNNY Temp: 59 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Friday, August 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 16, 2003 Governor boosts roads-bridges bill for jobs, trucking By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — Jobs and efficient trucking routes are on the way if the Legislature gives the green light Thursday on a $2.5 billion state highway and bridge-repair program. That was the message from Gov. Ted Kulongoski during his visit to the Pine Street bridge Tuesday. The governor was underneath the bridge looking at cracks during a press conference to promote the package, which he called "the biggest deal for economic growth in Oregon." "It creates about 5,000 new jobs in this state," he said. Advertisement A stop in the Rogue Valley was part of a tour of bridge and highway repair sites to promote House Bill 2041, which passed in the House and is coming to the Senate floor on Thursday. "This has been stopped for the last three sessions," said Kulongoski. The county-owned Pine Street bridge was narrowed to three lanes — two eastbound and one westbound — in May 2002 because the older half, built in 1946, has serious structural cracks. The bridge’s newer half is a separate structure built inches away from the first bridge in 1985 when the roadway was widened. The Pine Street bridge project would create "on the order of 75 jobs," said Paul Mather, southwest Oregon manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation. "It’s a key connection," said Stuart Foster of Medford, the newly appointed chairman of the Oregon Transportation Commission. He said a lot of freight goes over that bridge, and traffic inefficiencies affect the area’s economy because the area is "dependent on freight." According to Mather, the $4 million bridge replacement project goes to bid Aug. 14, with construction scheduled to be completed in December 2004. The governor also looked at the 1959 Seven Oaks overpass, which spans Interstate 5 at Exit 35 and is a critical commercial trucking route. County Commissioner Sue Kupillas said she appreciated the governor’s leadership in promoting this package. Said Kulongoski, "If Sue and I could work this closely on the forest initiative, we could really get something going." Central Point Mayor Hank Williams said he appreciated the governor’s visit. "We’re glad that the governor understands that Oregon reaches down here," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times