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Redesign planned for troubled Rogue River street, rail crossing By MELISSA MARTIN ROGUE RIVER - There's relief in sight for drivers who daily maneuver the bumpy railroad crossing on Depot Street. The city of Rogue River and the Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad recently met with a Portland engineering firm to talk about redesigning the crossing, said Ken Johnson, Rogue River's public works director. "Our biggest complaint since I've been here is that crossing," Johnson said. Crews may begin work as early as next April and complete the job by May. Some 14,000 vehicles cross the tracks daily as they squeeze through the region's gateway. An estimated 10,000 people live in Wimer, Evans Valley and Rogue River. Recently, the track's already irritating condition was aggravated by four different "low boys," or low-riding semi-trucks, hitting and damaging the steel rails, said Mark Reagles, city administrator for Rogue River. Railroad crews have already repaired the truck damage. But next spring's plans call for pouring concrete across Depot Street lanes, removing a 600- to 800-foot railroad spur, repositioning signal arms and improving the approach grade, Johnson said. Drivers will find that the concrete makes for a smoother transition to the steel tracks than asphalt, he said. Four times a day, Rogue River drivers wait for engines carrying lumber-loaded cars to Glendale or Grants Pass mills. Trains rumble through Rogue River at the city's busiest intersection, where Depot and Pine meet Interstate 5. City staff originally hoped to widen Depot Street into four lanes and create a center island for the train signal arms, Reagles said. But the city scaled back the $900,000 project when funding fell through. The cheaper version will cost about $380,000 and calls for pouring concrete over three lanes instead of the existing two to prepare for the day when a turn lane is added, Johnson said. The challenge will be to avoid disturbing traffic. "This is the only way in and out of town that's convenient," Johnson said. Reach reporter Melissa Martin at 776-4497, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.