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State money may ease congestion at Delta Waters Lear, Coker Butte could connect By Jessica Smith An $800,000 grant from the state may put the extension of two Medford streets on the map. The Medford City Council will decide Thursday whether to approve the design for planned extensions of Lear Way and Coker Butte Road. The projects are expected to relieve some of the traffic congestion at the Delta Waters Road intersection with Crater Lake Highway. "This project is not the complete solution," said Cory Crebbin, Medford public works director. But, he said, the extensions would put the city closer to its goal. When built, the roads will cut through an open field to meet west of Crater Lake Highway. Eventually, a traffic signal will be installed to direct cars at the Coker Butte intersection with the highway. With a traffic signal at Coker Butte, city engineers expect to reduce the number of cars that use Delta Waters Road to access Crater Lake Plaza and nearby businesses. Until the city installs a traffic signal at Coker Butte and Crater Lake Highway, cars traveling east on Coker Butte will be limited to making a right turn onto the highway. Though there�s no development near the road extensions at this time, Crebbin said there is potential for growth in the area. The public is invited to comment on the project at a hearing during the council�s meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Oregon Department of Transportation awarded Medford an $800,000 grant toward the extension project. City engineers estimate the total cost at $1.06 million, with another $150,000 for purchasing needed rights of way. The grant will come from the state�s $30 million local access program, which helps cities and counties fund road projects that are expected to divert traffic from Oregon highways. Bob Deuel, city engineer, said construction on the extensions is expected to begin sometime this summer. Under an agreement with the state, the roads must be completed by 2002. If the design is approved by the council, public works will request bids from contractors for 2,600 feet of roadway with curbs and gutters, sidewalks, a planter strip and bike lanes. Also Thursday, the council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance intended to strengthen a city policy that requires traffic studies for development. "People have said we�re just making it a cookbook approach," Crebbin said. It�s true the ordinance suggests what goes into a traffic study, he added, but the proposed rules also give developers room to create their own recipe if it meets the city�s requirements. The ordinance also outlines when a traffic study is necessary � it would be required for any development expected to generate more than 250 daily vehicle trips. Reach reporter Jessica Smith at 776-4481, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.