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South interchange options MT file photo Cars travel on Barnett Road over the crowded south Medford freeway interchange in July. The City Council will receive an update today on the alternatives being considered to alleviate traffic congestion. City council to discuss ways to ease traffic By JESSICA SMITH Members of the Medford City Council face another round in the ongoing discussion about the traffic bottleneck at the south freeway interchange. During a study session set for noon today in room 340 at City Hall, the council will learn about the process that will identify which interchange options best relieve congestion in the area. "The council really is not up to speed on the process," said City Manager Mike Dyal. "So this is going to be a good foundation meeting." Dyal said Frank Stevens, the Oregon Department of Transportation manager heading the interchange project, will provide an update on the work that's been done and on what's to come. Earlier this year, an ODOT-sponsored group charged with identifying options for the interchange determined that it is looking for alternatives which will reduce traffic and pose the fewest problems for homeowners and businesses. The idea behind each of the options is that providing drivers better access through the heart of the city will keep them off Interstate 5, which handles as many as 3,000 cars and trucks during peak traffic hours. "Now these solutions are being tested to see if they stack up ... . It's a big process," said Cory Crebbin, Medford public works director. Seven alternatives have been identified. Each will be run through a computer-modeling process meant to predict what effect they will have. The city funded a $1.5 million Environmental Impact Study for the project. In addition, the city must look at whether making changes will be cost-effective, Dyal said. The project is estimated to cost $30 million, and the funding is uncertain. But work won't begin until 2003, officials have said. For more information about the project, visit the Web site at www.smedfordinterchange.org Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA