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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment 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 Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info 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 December 21, 2006 On-ramps to Interstate 5 off the north Medford interchange show pooling oil that is separating from the asphalt. State transportation managers say the interchange may need to be repaved next summer. (Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli) Asphalt woes ODOT, LTM look into problems at north Medford interchange By Meg Landers Mail Tribune Paved in the summer of 2005, the $36 million north Medford interchange might need some — or all — of its surface removed and replaced because of problems with the asphalt. The Oregon Department of Transportation and Medford's biggest asphalt supplier, LTM, are investigating why oil in the asphalt is separating and pooling, or "flushing," along Highway 62 and the ramps near the interchange. ODOT officials say there's a chance the road will need to be ground and repaved next summer. LTM, which designed and laid the asphalt, stands by its product, company officials said. They believe the asphalt does not need replacing. Dave Midtlyng, vice president of contracting for LTM, said he believes the company did everything right. Advertisement "We think the product we provided is exactly what they asked for," he said, adding that LTM recommends leaving the surface in place. He said the total cost for the asphalt was $2 million. If replacement of some of the surface is required, he speculated it could run as high as $1 million. Art Anderson, ODOT area manager, said the agency is testing the pavement to determine why the oil is not adhering to the aggregate. He said he does not know who will pay if replacement is required. ODOT officials first noticed a problem this summer, he said. Anderson said ODOT has performed skid tests on the pavement and determined the problem does not affect drivers. "It is not a safety issue," he said. "Right now it's just visual. Eventually this flushing will turn to rutting." Anderson, who has been area manager for four years, said this is the first time he's seen flushing in a new project. Midtlyng said a lot of roads in the region experience some "flushing," though the surface tends to be more than a year old. "It usually takes a little longer than that," he said. Midtlyng said the asphalt came from the company's local plant. In designing asphalt for a project and selecting the rock and oil mixture, he said, the company takes many variables into consideration, such as whether the traffic will be stopping and starting frequently and whether the mixture needs to be flexible and crack-resistant for the cold. He cites the unusually high temperatures this summer as one potential factor causing the oil to pool. "In July this year we had one of the hottest streaks that we've had in a long time," he said. A string of 100-plus-degree days made July 2006 one of the hottest months in Southern Oregon history, according to the National Weather Service. ODOT's pavement department in Salem is researching the cause and implications, and Anderson said he expects to have more information in January. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Contractor's penalties for work delay near $1 million The contractor for the new north Medford interchange could face nearly $1 million in penalties for being 14 months behind schedule. James W. Fowler Co. of Dallas is finishing up landscaping and final details of the project, which was to have been completed Oct. 31, 2005. The $36 million project began in February 2004. Art Anderson, area manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation, said it's too soon to talk about Fowler's total damages because a contractor's penalty is determined after a project is complete. The contract between ODOT and Fowler allows the state to assess a penalty of $2,000 per day (including Saturdays and Sundays) if missed deadlines are the contractor's fault. Penalties may end up being substantially lower than the worst-case scenario of $840,000. Gary Leaming, ODOT project information coordinator, said the project is 99.5 percent completed. Phone messages left with the project manager, Matt Fisher, and company vice president, John Fowler, were not returned Wednesday. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com