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Public opinion sought on county transportation Open house in Medford today intended to give residents voice in plan By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Many residents now fighting a proposed interchange in south Medford weren't involved in the project's early planning stages. John Morrison of the Rogue Valley Council of Governments said he doesn't want to see that happen with the Jackson County Transportation System Plan. On the road to future improvements Do you know how to unsnarl a busy, rural intersection near your home? Have a suggestion that would make the street safer for you child's trip to school? Jackson County will host a series of open houses to gather input and suggestions from residents regarding county roads that need improvement. Information gathered will be used for the Jackson County Transportation System Plan - a comprehensive document that will identify future improvement projects. In addition to public comments, residents can learn more about the plan's formulation and look at county maps. Residents are invited to attend any or all sessions. An open house will be held in Medford today at the Jackson County Courthouse Auditorium from 6 to 8 p.m. On Thursday, an open house will take place at Ruch Elementary School from 6 to 8 p.m. On Jan. 22, an open house is slated at the Ashpole Community Center in Eagle Point from 6 to 8 p.m. Instead, Morrison said he wants as much participation as possible from residents so the county can identify transit problems, and draft plans to address them. "This is really an opportunity for people to come in and say, what about county roads meets their need," said Morrison, a community development program manager with RVCOG. "The more the county can hear, the more the county can add in (to the plan) later on." The county will spend the next 18 months drafting a transportation system plan that will include improvement projects. Jackson County planning staff, urban renewal and the Portland consulting firm Kittelson and Associates will undertake the work. Pam Lind, county project manager, said the work began last week and will continue with a series of open houses. An open house is slated today at the Jackson County Courthouse Auditorium. Community members are encouraged to attend and bring their suggestions and concerns. "We figure that people know their own areas," Lind said. "We need feedback from people, what is and isn't working." Lind said the open houses are a real opportunity for residents who live near rural county roads. Their opinions are essential in forming a plan that meets the needs of everyone, she added. People can talk about which roads need sidewalks or bike paths, and discuss ways to make roads safer for children walking back and forth to school. Morrison said the first open house, held Thursday in Ashland, wasn't well attended. Lind said the only feedback she received was the need for a commuter rail in the Rogue Valley, and a need to make Highway 99 more bicycle friendly. "The people didn't have a whole lot to say," Lind said. Morrison is hoping for a better turnout today, and at the future open houses in Ruch and Eagle Point. "This is the time to come in," Morrison said. "The sooner people come in, the better off it will be." Work on the transportation plan will be funded entirely by the state. State law requires Oregon counties to have a transportation system plan in place that addresses roadway and rail issues as well as air service and pipeline transport for the next 20 years. When the plan is complete, the county will be eligible for funding to help complete projects identified in the plan. Other aspects of the project include reviewing existing plans, polices and standards, taking an inventory of the county's roadways and developing ways to conserve natural resources and create energy-efficient and economical transportation methods. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.