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 Our View: Volunteer security? Thanks, but no thanks ... From the Council: Public should get involved in local marijuana decisions ... Save a life: How to help someone who's contemplating suicide ... Our View: Volunteer security? Thanks, but no thanks ... From the Council: Public should get involved in local marijuana decisions ... Save a life: How to help someone who's contemplating suicide ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Are there plans to ease congestion at exit 27? Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 20, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Feb. 20, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Overall, the new south Medford interchange is an enormous improvement over what we had before, but there is one problem that causes me headaches every day. Between 7:30 and 8 a.m., traffic frequently backs up onto the freeway because so many people are headed to work at the hospital and medical offices. Even though there are two left-turn lanes, everyone jams into the rightmost of the two because they need to be in that lane to make the right turn onto Barnett. My work is in the other direction, but I get stuck in this mess because there is no way to get past all those cars and into my turn lane. I have almost been hit several times on the freeway when I am stopped behind a line of cars trying to get off, and even though I keep leaving earlier and earlier for work, sometimes it is such a mess it makes me late. Are there any plans to do something about this? — Cami, via email   Have you seen the movie "Office Space," Cami? If you haven't, the first few minutes show the main character switching back and forth between traffic lanes in morning bumper-to-bumper traffic and not gaining any ground. Sounds like you can identify a bit. We talked to the Oregon Department of Transportation about your grievances. There are not any plans for further improvements right now. ODOT spokesman Gary Leaming agreed that the south Medford interchange is a "vast" improvement over the old one. That said, it wasn't intended to solve all the area's transportation woes. The morning backup you're caught up in is based on the growing number of vehicles heading to work or medical appointments prior to 8 a.m. ODOT officials said they have maximized the signal timing to make sure they get as many people through as they can. Simply put — and this is likely not a recommendation you wanted — adjusting your travel time by 10 or 15 minutes earlier can make a world of difference. "There may be some additional relief once the Phoenix interchange is complete for those traveling from Talent and Ashland, since they could come in on North Phoenix Road," Leaming said. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 20, 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