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Hwy. 62 gathering draws questions By JESSICA SMITH Milling about in a conference room at Lava Lanes, mulling over maps and charts, most participants in a state-sponsored open house Monday wondered how a plan to realign Highway 62 would change the way they drive. Participants wondered how they would access offices, stores and restaurants, and they wondered what effect access changes will have on those businesses. According to a state study of the economic and environmental impacts of the realignment project, 13 businesses would be displaced by construction. That means hundreds of jobs would be eliminated as well. "This is going to hurt a lot of people," said Trudy Conklin, of Central Point. "It ruins lots of people's livelihoods." Conklin and about 100 others - some owners of businesses affected by the Highway 62 realignment, some just interested residents - made their thoughts on the project known at an open house sponsored by the Oregon Department of Transportation. ODOT officials encourage the public to comment on an environmental assessment of the project by May 9. The project - intended to address safety concerns on Highway 62, including traffic delays and backups - involves a new Interstate 5 interchange and upgrades to the highway between the interchange and Bullock Road. Changes to an original design will mean the loss of 13 businesses rather than five, according to Frank Stevens, who is coordinating the project for ODOT. The changes, requested by a group of Highway 62 business owners, would displace eight businesses in a small mall by Rogue Regency Inn, as well as the International House of Pancakes, Denny's Restaurant, Carl's Jr. restaurant, Best Western Pony Soldier Inn and a Chevron service station. "I just feel that if the state would work with businesses and give a little, we'd be a lot better off," said Steve Olsrud, a part owner of Food 4 Less. He said ODOT's plans for the highway are too rigid. "I feel it could be a little less than perfect." Construction on Biddle Road will close two of three entries to Food 4 Less. It's uncertain how limited access will affect the grocery store, but Olsrud predicted it would hurt the store by inconveniencing customers. Others say the same is true for a number of businesses on and near the highway. According to Stevens, ODOT wants to avoid buildings when improving roads. But, he said, "public safety and the efficiency of the road have to be No. 1." The project, expected to cost about $20 million, is just half of the plan for Highway 62. Transportation officials continue to design improvements to the highway from Delta Waters Road in Medford to Highway 140 outside White City. Transportation officials are expected to decide this month whether to move ahead with the first portion of the project. The state also has the option of leaving the highway as is. Should officials choose to proceed, construction would start in 2003. Meanwhile, the state will accept comments on the project until May 9. They may be sent to Greg Holthoff, Environmental Services, ODOT, 1158 Chemeketa St. N.E., Salem, OR 97301. Reach reporter Jessica Smith at 776-4481, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.