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Highland goes with the flow Mail Tribune / Jim Craven A pedestrian begins a dash across Highland Avenue on Friday as traffic funnels in and out of the congested intersection at Siskiyou Boulevard near Bear Creek Park. Medford has plans to upgrade the intersection, perhaps with a roundabout, and will add sidewalks to Highland. Troublesome intersection at center of traffic woes By JILL BRISKEY Highland Drive resident James Davis doesn't want to see a new interchange in his neighborhood, but he's happy the city plans to build sidewalks. "We've got a lot of pedestrians. I'm supportive of that," Davis said. "We get so much fast traffic, and (police) don't always enforce it." David Modica, owner of Wired Coffee Cafe in the Highland Center, said anything that improves traffic and pedestrian flow is good for business. Modica supports the state's plan to build an interchange, as well as Medford's tentative plan to construct a roundabout at the Highland-Siskiyou intersection. "I think that's great. I think it's unique," he said. "I know people are upset, but I'm a business owner, and this is good for business." While the Oregon Department of Transportation inches closer to building a new interchange, Medford is dusting off plans to improve nearby roads. Local and state officials favor moving the Barnett Road interchange south, connecting it with Garfield Street on the west side of the freeway and with Highland Drive on the east. A decision will be announced by Jan. 31, and construction is set to begin in 2005. After a decision is made, the state and city will work together and draft design plans for sidewalks and bike lanes along the first few blocks of Highland Drive. Plans also call for widening the roadway. However, Medford administrative engineer Bob Janssen said other improvements - that have nothing to do with the state's proposed project - are already scheduled throughout the neighborhood. Janssen said Medford will eventually replace the gravel shoulders along portions of Highland Drive and Barneburg Road with sidewalks and gutters. Janssen said another plan involves overhauling the Highland-Siskiyou intersection, perhaps building a roundabout that will ease traffic snarls. "It's not a very good intersection. It was looked at before (plans for a new interchange) were made," Janssen said. The projects are part of the city's regional transportation plan, which includes some 40 road projects addressing street connectivity and alternative transportation. The city's planned improvements will take place over the next five to 10 years, Janssen said. ODOT officials say Medford's new interchange won't be finished until 2007, leaving Medford plenty of time to make its scheduled improvements. Michelle Owens has lived on Highland Drive for three years. Although she's not thrilled about a new interchange, Owens is glad to hear about the city's improvement projects. "I understand how people feel (about the interchange). It has to go someplace," she said. "That's OK with me." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.