Document text
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 Home News Latest Stories Homeless feeding questioned Disc golf course coming to Cave Junction park Human remains found in burning trailer Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt Cecil, Stricker to face off again in mayor's race Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service Barn fire may have been human-caused Emergency services Inmates to get mental health, addiction treatment Missing Medford man found safe in Sweet Home Politics and Elections Cecil, Stricker to face off again in mayor's race Commissioner candidates Talbert, Roberts duel for endorsements Falls: Jackson County sheriff's race isn't over Former sheriff calls Winters' retirement decision 'very wise' Will 'GMO effect' shape election? Education EP school district launches new app Striving to make the grade Fresh produce goes home with Jackson Elementary families State mandates eye exams for kids 7 and younger Eagle Point School District goes silent on gun issue Environment Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt Josephine County ballot measure would ban commercial and government pesticide use Low water exposes Emigrant Lake's past Wagner Creek work would restore streambank Deer-killing disease won't taint meat for hunters State news Nation - World Obituaries Calvin Schaefer Norma Mae Prilliman Elizabeth Anne Jones Jesse Jay Gilchrist Lorraine Antcha Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories South rebounds with rout of Roseburg Ashland drops MWL boys match to Churchill Hay rallies Pirates past Henley Gadget play gives Grizz win over Comets GP dashes North’s hopes Varsity 541 College Sports Stanford cruises past Washington State High stakes for No. 12 Oregon, No. 18 UCLA Raider men win handily Raiders shut out Eastern Oregon Georgia star Gurley suspended for alleged violation Pro Sports Gordon-led Royals beat Orioles 8-6 in ALCS Donovan hits post in US swan song Birdie binge puts Laird in front at Frys.com Giants-Cards: Here we go again in NLCS Colts hold on for 33-28 win over Texans Community Sports Business Latest Stories Ranchers offer livestock exchange Lithia buys Clovis dealership Blog: When Life Gives You Lemons... Medford airport has busiest September ever County hopes to spur renewable energy Real Estate News Lithia buys Clovis dealership Rental vacancies increase Jackson County real estate sales, prices continue rebound Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford Medford's Pixel Productions moves to new quarters People In Business Transportation Lithia buys Clovis dealership Agriculture Ranchers offer livestock exchange 1-800-Flowers CEO: Labor shortage an issue for Harry & David Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford Opinion Latest Election Letters, Oct.11 Another View: Congress must act on firefighting budget Letters to the Editor, Oct. 10 Matthew T. Mangino: Trials, pleas and the burden of proof: A search for justice Our View: Talbert is the right choice for commissioner Editorials Another View: Congress must act on firefighting budget Our View: Talbert is the right choice for commissioner Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Measure 86 would allow a prudent investment Our View: Top-two primary would empower more voters Letters to the Editor Election Letters, Oct.11 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 10 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 9 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 8 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 7 Guest Opinions Mt. Ashland is responding to community concerns Siskiyou Plus Spring Bear Hunt: What lies beneath? Guest Opinion: Who's to blame for 2014 wildfires? Guest Opinion: Measure 91 will snuff out local tax measures Is Ashland taking over Jackson County elections? Lifestyle Latest stories Nibbling away at the Earth Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Name that wolf Community blog: Battered, fried bhaji bring street food to the table Food Community blog: Battered, fried bhaji bring street food to the table Community blog: Kicking it off, a game, a season, or a pint (How about all the above?) Apples and pears make great autumn duo Community blog: Cardamom makes proverbial pairing with pears New owners bring new philosophy at 2Hawk Home and Garden How to create a fashionable painted floor cloth Dear Monty: 7 prepping tips for home showings Harvest your frost-tender tomatoes for storage Fall is a good time to plant certain perennials Start now for a bowl of winter sunshine Health Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Dr. Murray Feingold: Take precautions to prevent home accidents Health Watch: Make TV time workout time Community blog: Do We Need Steps For Health? Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion briefs First Church of Nazarene plans cleanup Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements New Arrivals Still stifling laughter 40 years after 'Young Frankenstein' New Arrivals Wedding New Arrivals Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Agave offers tasty tacos Call for musicians Works in progress A stylish take on baroque Southern Oregon Music Festival returns to downtown Medford Theater Randall Theatre presents 'Blithe Spirit' A tribute to a great lyricist 'Mrs. Mannerly' is a matter of manners There's no accounting for poor manners Friends of Jim Giancarlo remember Ashland theater icon Music Benefit for Nita Day at The Wild Goose Cafe in Ashland Call for musicians A stylish take on baroque Southern Oregon Music Festival returns to downtown Medford Rogue Valley Symphony season debut combines virtuosity, emotion Community Events Works in progress Southern Oregon Pride Festival celebrates diversity Greater Medford Multicultural Fair Volunteers needed for Downtown Art + Sound Medford's Third Fridays Dining Agave offers tasty tacos Asian cuisine for all seasons at Misoya Bistro Spoons 'Get Giddy' at Porters Jacksonville's Thai House is everything good Thai should be Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Human remains found in burning trailer ... Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt ... Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service ... Human remains found in burning trailer ... Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt ... Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service ... ROADS AND TRAFFIC Bicycle group wants to change Hwy. 99 corridor plan More bike lanes, slower speeds among Siskiyou Velo's suggestions By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 10, 2014 @ 3:55 pm By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 10, 2014 @ 3:55 pm » Social News A bike rider’s group would like to see changes made in a draft Highway 99 Corridor Plan for Ashland to Medford to create designated bike lanes all along the road and hasten improvements. Among suggestions in a memo from the Siskiyou Velo bicycle club to the Oregon Department of Transportation planning team are lowering of traffic speeds throughout the corridor, bike lanes rather than multi-use shoulders in two areas, a three vehicle lane arrangement from South Stage Road to Coleman Creek bridge, and similar treatment in Talent from Colver and Suncrest roads to Rapp Road. “We’d prefer those outcomes occur in the short term rather than 20 or more years in the future,” said Gary Shaff, club president. ODOT issued the draft in May after three years of planning and consultation with jurisdictions and the public. The effort looks at traffic needs through 2035. Jackson County, Medford, Phoenix and Talent are all revising or updating transportation plans, said ODOT project manager Ian Horlacher. He expects the jurisdictions to consider adoption of the plan as a reference document. Once that is done, the Oregon Traffic Commission could adopt it as ODOT’s plan for 99. While the club wrote that the plan is a great leap forward over earlier drafts, Highway 99 is a bicycle commuter route, and components of the plan that take cyclists out of their way or force unnecessary lane charges should be dropped. Under the plan, bicyclists would share seven-foot-wide shoulders with walkers, runners, dogs, skateboarders and others in rural areas between Ashland and Talent and between Talent and Phoenix. Siskiyou Velo would like designated bike lanes. “That was something we would consider,” said Horlacher. But agency standards applied to rural roads allow for the mixed uses, he added. More than 100 comments have been received on the draft plan, said Horlacher. Some of those sought more information on the proposed three-lane sections, while others said the plan is not moving in the right direction, he said. Speed-reduction proposals could be put into the plan for study, but state traffic engineers must do studies before the limits can be reduced, said Horlacher. On an interim basis, the highway should be restriped to a center lane and two traffic lanes from South Stage to Coleman Creek, rather than four lanes and a center lane, the club recommends. Both ideas include bike lanes and sidewalks. The three-lane plan would allow for bike lanes and sidewalks in the near future without having to purchase right-of-way and relocate utilities, Shaff said. “It’s entirely a matter of cost efficiency and cost effectiveness,” said Shaff. “A three-lane cross section will meet not only the needs of cyclists and pedestrians but also needs of cars and trucks.” ODOT traffic projections show the area could handle such an arrangement, Shaff said. The current five-lane section from Covler/Suncrest roads to Rapp Road would invite speeding and passing within Talent city limits as drivers transition from the proposed three traffic lane setups both north and south of the area, Shaff said. The club suggests three lanes except at the Valley View intersection. Parking could be created in the current outside traffic lanes. Siskiyou Velo asked the Talent Urban Renewal Agency board to support the proposal at its Sept. 29 meeting. The agency will consider the request when it meets Oct. 21. Shaff said he’s uncertain whether the group will approach other jurisdictions for support. The club’s six-page memo to ODOT and a link to the plan can be found at www.siskiyouvelo.org. Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. He can be reached at [email protected] By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 10, 2014 @ 3:55 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. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501