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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Murders at Crater Lake: The slaying of auto-parts reps in 1952 remains a mystery ... Our View: Law lets lobbyists keep public in the dark ... Britt commissions NY composer Michael Gordon to capture Crater Lake in sound ... Murders at Crater Lake: The slaying of auto-parts reps in 1952 remains a mystery ... Our View: Law lets lobbyists keep public in the dark ... Britt commissions NY composer Michael Gordon to capture Crater Lake in sound ... I-5 VIADUCT Gov. Kate Brown gets an up-close look at ailing Medford viaduct Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 13, 2015 at 1:47 PM Updated Apr 13, 2015 at 4:53 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 13, 2015 at 1:47 PM Updated Apr 13, 2015 at 4:53 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Governor Kate Brown is in Medford » Social News On her first visit to Medford as Oregon's governor Monday, Gov. Kate Brown got an up-close look at the Medford viaduct, a stretch of Interstate 5 that transportation officials say could collapse in a strong earthquake. Brown received a rundown on the Oregon Department of Transportation's long-range plan to either enhance, retrofit or reroute the 3,222-foot-long stretch of freeway during one of several stops in Medford. She also was able to get a better view of the structure's engineering while taking a quick ride in an ODOT bucket truck lift. Brown said the viaduct's ability to withstand an earthquake or other major disaster is critical from public safety and economic standpoints. "I think this is certainly a challenge, but in terms of Oregon's economy, and frankly the entire West Coast, it's absolutely critical that we have a safe alternative that will enable the economy to function should we have a very difficult earthquake or another tough environmental challenge," Brown said during a brief news conference at Hawthorne Park. "I think we need to come up with a solution, but as you can see, with the surrounding area, I think it's going to be a challenge at doing that." In the coming months, ODOT plans to kick off a five-year, $4 million study on the viaduct to determine environmental and community impacts and help officials form their long-range plan. Brown added that she hopes Democrats and Republicans can come together to find ways to fund such major infrastructure projects. "This is a piece of that, of why we need to have a functioning transportation system throughout the state," she said. "This is really fascinating, actually, for people to get a sense of the enormity of this project." ODOT first resurfaced and retrofitted the viaduct — originally built in 1962 — in 2003. Those retrofits would prevent collapse only in a minor earthquake. Removing the viaduct and bringing the freeway down to grade would cause new problems with bridges on local streets. The stretch would still need to cross Bear Creek, and there are also numerous homes and businesses nearby, likely necessitating sound walls. Financially, the project could have a price tag in the hundreds of millions. That, officials say, is the reason for the study. "This is a complex, 'how-do-we-get-it-right' type of study that will eventually come out with some alternatives," ODOT spokesman Gary Leaming said. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 13, 2015 at 1:47 PM Updated Apr 13, 2015 at 4:53 PM » 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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