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GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Keeping I-5 viaduct is the most expensive option of all Comment By Todd McDonald MailTribune.com By Todd McDonald Posted Feb. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Todd McDonald Posted Feb. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News A Jan. 29 article entitled “Replacing the I-5 viaduct would come at a steep price” provided an update on a study started months ago to identify the best option for improving safety and transportation needs of the Interstate 5 viaduct in Medford. After starting the article I was ecstatic to discover that tunneling of the viaduct was apparently the most popular option. While the cost coming in at likely over $1 billion is steep, the opportunity cost of not dealing with the viaduct in a way that frees our city is far greater. It’s not often that we get chances to rework major sections of transportation infrastructure, which makes every choice absolutely critical in helping generate health for a community. Unfortunately, when the viaduct was built in the mid-20th century in Medford, shortsightedness prevailed. Amazingly, we have a chance right now to change our fortune in this area, and I wholeheartedly applaud those involved in evaluating options for their (so far) open-minded approach. It would have been very easy to simply rule out options because of what appears to be an insurmountable financial obligation. Apparently, that hasn’t been the case so far. Medford struggles with thinking small and short-term. These frameworks are often born out of a poverty-based mentality that builds on itself the longer it is allowed to persist. In too many areas we have either agreed to settle as a group, or we have fought childishly over scraps. While economics are certainly a part of this discussion, poverty thinking stretches far beyond that into every single area of our lives. If we want to enjoy the richness of good community, good jobs, good opportunity for us and our kids, safe places to recreate and live, we need to stop thinking this way. We have a chance to show we are ready to fight for health by continuing as a community to push for a solution to the viaduct problem that could unlock the potential of our downtown. Imagine with me if you can, standing in Hawthorne Park looking across toward downtown and having no freeway running through the middle of your view. Imagine a stroll on Bear Creek that (finally) allows you to hear rushing water instead of 10 tons of steel driving over your head at 55 miles an hour. Imagine the attractions possible as a boardwalk/river walk finally makes sense through the downtown area that could offer fun fly-fishing games, spots to sit quietly next to the creek, outdoor shopping, food and wine spots, bike rentals, low-water kayaking and more. Imagine the health that could spring up in struggling neighborhoods as property values near downtown rise and suddenly we have a solution to attractive downtown housing! Imagine the natural flow that could be created between spending time with the family at a movie, then enjoying a summer evening creek stroll, a lovely meal and an outdoor evening concert? The possibilities are endless. I firmly believe that Medford should be the most desirable place to live in the state. We have many raw ingredients that other areas only dream of. It’s ridiculous that we’ve been robbed of our potential to this point and it’s time to change! To those in charge of making the decision around Medford’s viaduct: Please consider your choice very, very carefully. You hold in your hands an opportunity to unlock the potential of a community that needs it. We will improve no matter what, but this is truly a very unique opportunity to right a terrible wrong. To those who live here: Enough is enough. This is our home and it’s time we started caring for it, believing in what it can be, and stopped operating out of our poverty thinking. If you can catch the vision of no viaduct, keep believing in it and sharing it with others. Medford, you are worth a clean creek, a stunning downtown, a healthy community and fighting for! Todd McDonald is a partner at New Brew Media LLC and a longtime resident of Southern Oregon. An active advocate for Medford, he is involved in Bear Creek restoration as a board member of Oregon Stewardship. By Todd McDonald MailTribune.com By Todd McDonald Posted Feb. 21, 2016 at 12:01 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... 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