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 Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... OUR VIEW Our View: Don't expect a fix for I-5 viaduct through Medford anytime soon Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 15, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 15, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Realistically speaking, work to replace the Interstate 5 viaduct through Medford will begin quickly — after it falls down. That's a harsh assessment, but it's hard to see any other future for a structure that was ill-advised when it was built in 1962 and remains so today. Transportation officials planning Interstate 5 had options back then: route the freeway around the city to the east or to the west, or put it on the surface next to Bear Creek, through Geneva and Genessee streets. Medford leaders in 1955, when the route was being debated, adamantly opposed any plan that would bypass the city. Highway 99 ran straight through downtown then, as it still does today. City leaders were afraid the interstate would hurt business if it bypassed Medford, and property owners and orchardists to the east and west opposed routing it there. When the Chamber of Commerce voted to support the viaduct option in 1956, the only vote against it came from Mail Tribune editor Eric Allen Jr. He said it would divide the city, "providing a hindrance to proper urban development in the future." How right he was. Bypass options that were controversial in 1955 are virtually impossible 60 years later. The viaduct still divides the city, and now it is too narrow to accommodate projected freeway traffic and likely to collapse when — not if — a major earthquake hits the region. Devlopment to the east of town and protections for agricultural land in state law are enormous obstacles to re-routing the interstate. Putting it on the surface along Bear Creek would require tunnels or overpasses for all east-west arterials, even if the necessary property could be obtained, doubtless at at staggering cost. And that's not to mention the environmental considerations involved in building a new freeway next to Bear Creek. The Oregon Department of Transportation plans a $4 million study to develop alternatives for the viaduct's future. That's probably wise, and the price of the study is a bargain compared with any long-term solution. ODOT officials say removing the viaduct and relocating the freeway to grade would cost hundreds of millions. We suspect that might turn out to be on the low side. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 15, 2015 at 12:01 AM » 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