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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 4, 2006 Fern Valley interchange ideas 'whittled down' By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune PHOENIX — Members of a committee hashing out a controversial $40 million project to rebuild the failing Fern Valley interchange are hopeful that more than a dozen design options will be whittled to just a handful after a pair of meetings this week. The first, a citizens' advisory committee meeting, happens at 6:30 tonight in the Phoenix High School Theater. Made up of residents and business and property owners, the committee will review a host of designs that project manager Vicki Guarino, serving as a mediator on behalf of the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, says need to be thinned in order for the lengthy process to move forward. "At this point, there are some alternatives, some options that really wouldn't work for the community — or perhaps would not serve the transportation needs," Guarino said. "So we're trying to weed those out so we can have a little bit more detailed deliberation and conversation about those options that really have the most promise." Efforts to replace the interchange at Interstate 5 began more than two years ago but have been riddled with delays based largely on concerns about the impact to the community, including the potential of bulldozing several downtown businesses. With a Home Depot being built near the interchange, traffic concerns continue to grow. Advertisement Committee members tonight will review five basic designs and a host of "add-ons" that Guarino said could be "mixed and matched" to create as many as 18 interchange design alternatives. On Thursday morning, a project development team will make recommendations as well. "We don't expect everyone to agree, but it's time to whittle things down then we'll just see where we stand," Guarino said. David Lowry, a citizens' advisory committee member who represents owners of large tracts of land affected by the interchange project, has served on the committee for the full two years. Lowry hopes to see the number of alternatives narrowed to two or three. "I think we're getting enough information now that it's going to make it pretty clear what the best options are," said Lowry. As far as a long term solution, Lowry said so-called single-point urban interchanges, which have caused the most concern among residents and business owners, would offer the most capacity and have the biggest price tag. "Hopefully we'll be getting some estimates so that we can start making some decisions about whether it's best to invest in the longer term or do a less expensive shorter-term solution," Lowry noted. "I think that, if you look at the big picture, the real focus needs to be on what is going to serve the Rogue Valley as a whole, long term. "People have their individual interests in this and I think it's important for everybody to really step back and say, 'Regardless of my personal interest, what is going to be the best solution, not only for the valley, but for Oregon?' " Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing UK Homeowner Loans GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com