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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 Jackson County assessor signed $28,531 severance pay agreement ... Oregon Senator Bates seeks expansion of dredging moratorium ... Crash snarls I-5 during Monday rush hour ... Jackson County assessor signed $28,531 severance pay agreement ... Oregon Senator Bates seeks expansion of dredging moratorium ... Crash snarls I-5 during Monday rush hour ... ROAD CONSTRUCTION First traffic on Fern Valley project expected this summer Drivers will use northern half of new bridge over Bear Creek Comment By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 19, 2015 at 5:35 PM Updated May 20, 2015 at 12:38 PM By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 19, 2015 at 5:35 PM Updated May 20, 2015 at 12:38 PM » Social News PHOENIX — Motorists could be driving on the first completed portions of the new Fern Valley interchange system as early as June or July. Work on the crossing diamond-style interchange involves a juggling act of sorts for state transportation officials to keep traffic flowing while building the $72 million project, said ODOT spokesman Gary Leaming. Leaming said crews had been busy finishing up the northern half of a new bridge over Bear Creek. That portion will open this summer to handle traffic while crews demolish the old bridge, built in 1948, and start on the southern portion in conjunction with other parts of the project. Additional components include a water quality retention pond between the Home Depot store and the northbound on-ramp. "They're going to move traffic over to the new north side in order to be able to work on the other half of the road," Leaming said, noting that feedback from motorists using the busy area had been largely positive and that residents think the temporary system "really works well." In addition, Leaming said transportation and construction crews were focused on staying on schedule and keeping vehicle traffic moving smoothly and pedestrians and cyclists safe on the nearby Greenway. "So, essentially, traffic will be on the first new structure of the Fern Valley interchange project by early summer," Leaming said. "It's obviously easier if you can close everything down while you work, but that's not what we're here for. We're here to keep people moving and build something new at the same time." For details on the project, visit www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION3/pages/fvi_index.aspx . Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected] . By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 19, 2015 at 5:35 PM Updated May 20, 2015 at 12:38 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 2016 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