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 Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... Reopening of the Siskiyou Line means trucking companies will take a hit ... Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... Reopening of the Siskiyou Line means trucking companies will take a hit ... MEDFORD Medford council approves Lozier Lane extension Thoroughfare will come out near South Medford High School Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 3, 2015 at 3:22 PM Updated Jul 3, 2015 at 5:12 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 3, 2015 at 3:22 PM Updated Jul 3, 2015 at 5:12 PM » Social News Despite some objections, Lozier Lane is on track to become a new thoroughfare in Medford with bike lanes, sidewalks and planter strips. The City Council on Thursday unanimously approved connecting a short stretch of Lozier Lane from Kime Street to Cunningham Avenue as part of a long-range plan to create a better connector through southwest Medford. The extension connects the main part of Lozier to Cunningham and Orchard Home Drive about two blocks west of South Medford High School. Work on the $500,000 project is expected to get under way by next year. The money is from a surcharge on utility fees and will involve about a 500-foot stretch of road. It does not require the removal of any homes. A three-way intersection will be created at Lozier, Cunningham and Orchard Home Drive. Once built, motorists can travel more than three miles between South Stage Road and Rossanley Drive without detours, although the street names will change along the way — from Orchard Home to Lozier and, on the northern end, to North Ross Lane. Not everyone is happy about the plans. Neighbor Chris Miller objected to installation of planter strips, saying they would take more property from adjacent properties. “A smaller footprint is always better,” she said. The city has required planting strips in other areas, but Miller said they often are not well maintained or are maintained by the adjacent property owner. Public works director Cory Crebbin said the city would be responsible for maintenance on the planter strips for a major thoroughfare such as Lozier but not on smaller residential streets. Councilor Daniel Bunn said, “I like planter strips, but they are not the be-all-and-end-all for me.” Councilor Michael Zarosinski said planter strips are an amenity, but he said he’s noticed a lot of barren planter strips in the city. “I’m a little torn on this,” he said. After some debate, the council decided it had little option but to approve the project as designed by the Public Works Department. The roadway will have two 11-foot-wide travel lanes, a 12-foot center turn lane, 5-foot bike lanes on both sides, 5-foot sidewalks on both sides and 10-foot-wide planter strips on both sides. The roadway design is a continuation of the planters and sidewalks already installed just to the north on Lozier Lane. Other residents expressed concern about the speed limit on Lozier. City officials haven’t established a speed yet but believe it will be in the 30 to 35 mph range. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow on Twitter at @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 3, 2015 at 3:22 PM Updated Jul 3, 2015 at 5:12 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... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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 Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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 2015 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