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Council grants traffic money to state By Jessica Smith The Medford City Council gave a tentative thumbs-up Thursday to the state�s request for extra money to complete studies of a planned overhaul of the south freeway interchange. But more money won�t accelerate the project. The state won�t release its first plans until next year, and there�s no timetable for when state money will become available or when construction might begin. The council directed city staff to draft an ordinance granting the Oregon Department of Transportation an additional $200,000 for a study that will examine the effects of proposed changes to the Interstate 5 interchange at Barnett Road. Some council members, however, shared reservations about ODOT�s request and questioned the state�s commitment to correcting what is considered one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the valley. "We said �I do,� " said Councilman Bill Moore, noting the city has identified how it will fund its $15 million contribution to the interchange fix. "We�re standing at the altar. We�ve put our money up ... and the state hasn�t said �I do.� We�re still engaged." But Councilman Skip Knight said he�s confident the state will find the $15 million in matching funds it promised to the city. "There�s none of us can say there are guarantees in life," Knight said, "but we�re not going to get any closer (to a guarantee) at this point." The $200,000 would come out of the $15 million total the city has pledged to the project. Knight also pointed out the interchange fix was identified as the top priority for the Rogue Valley Area Commission on Transportation. The Oregon Transportation Commission uses the priority list from RVACT to determine funding for highway projects locally. "If you want to withhold the $200,000 because you want to see some results from ODOT, I think you would be remiss," Knight told the council. Denying ODOT�s request would only further delay a project that has fallen behind schedule. ODOT earlier explained that outdated traffic models delayed work on an environmental impact statement required by the federal government for all highway construction projects. The EIS examines the effects of project on such things as the environment and local businesses. Problems with traffic models also resulted in an extra $200,000 in consultant fees, ODOT said. To continue work on the EIS, the state must reimburse the consultants, said ODOT manager Frank Stevens, who heads the effort to fix the interchange. ODOT plans to release the EIS in February or March 2001. A preferred alternative likely won�t be selected until late 2001. There�s no timeline yet for construction. Traffic planners have two options for the interchange, both variations on a new interchange at Garfield Street about a half mile south of Barnett Road. Both would make Barnett an overpass open to local traffic only. One option would connect the new Garfield Street interchange to Ellendale Avenue for access to southeast Medford; the other would connect the new interchange to Highland Avenue. - Other Council News - Bennett defends questioning of club A Medford City Council member made no apologies Thursday for his decision to publicly question activities at a local teen dance club. Councilman Curt Bennett, who raised concerns over punk concert planned at Vibes in October, said he did the right thing by bringing the event to the public�s attention. But Tom Cole, VIBES director, and one councilman said Bennett should have done more research on the concert and other programs offered by VIBES and Kids Unlimited before speaking at the council�s Oct. 19 meeting. "I think you should have checked your facts," Councilman John Michaels told Bennett. "It was irresponsible." Bennett, however, said he wanted to be sure VIBES was being responsible with the $25,000 the city chipped in toward the project. "We all have accountability to the grants we give," Bennett said. "As far as bringing it forward at that time, I wasn�t irresponsible." What had Bennett concerned was a poster he received from parents who were upset that the event was billed as an all-ages show featuring bands with names like The Day-Glo Abortions. Bennett said he wanted to be sure that VIBES, at 1 E. Main St., was staying true to its mission to provide a safe, drug-free environment for the under-21 crowd. Cole canceled the concert, which was instead held at Club 25, after learning the posters advertised something different from what organizers told him they would present. But allowing a private concert company to produce the event at VIBES was an attempt to reach a group of kids who are often overlooked, Cole said. "I make no apologies for trying to reach that community of kids," he added. "That�s what this project (VIBES) is all about." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.