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52 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, November 15, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 28, 2004 ODOT maps out overhaul of Hwy. 99’s hectic stretch By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Mable Davis says the intersection of Highway 99 and Colver Road is too dangerous. "It’s a bottleneck. It’s the intersection from hell," said the owner of New Look Hair Care on Talent Avenue. She said she’s glad it’s all about to change. Davis was one of several Talent residents and business owners looking over drawings Tuesday of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s $6.4 million road project at an open house in Talent. ODOT, in partnership with the city, is planning a series of modifications along Highway 99 between Colver and Rapp roads. The plan includes the realignment of the intersection of Highway 99 and Colver Road and Suncrest Road, including a traffic signal, as well as the installation of a traffic signal at Rapp Road. Advertisement Also, a left hand turn lane will be added to Valley View Road at Highway 99 and drivers will only be able to make right hand turns from New Street onto the highway. The project also includes curbs, gutters, sidewalks, bike lanes landscaping along the highway between Colver and Rapp roads. Originally a median had been proposed most of the length of the project to prevent left hand turns from the highway. After many owners of businesses along the highway expressed concern about losing access, the plan was modified to include alternating landscaped medians and left-turn lanes. Mike Davis, co-owner of SOS Plumbing, said he’s about to relocate the business to a site along the highway that would have been affected by the original median. "They removed that section so it really helps us," he said. "We’re very happy about that." With 13,000 vehicle trips per day on that portion of the highway, officials say the road is dangerous for drivers and pedestrians. Talent City Councilman Don Steyskal said the intersection with Valley View Road has become more problematic as traffic volumes have increased. "One person trying to make a left hand turn backs up all the traffic behind them," he said. Then drivers start cutting through parking lots to avoid waiting. "People get antsy and take chances," he said. Officials say they’re trying to make the highway more friendly to the community it dissects. "We, with the city of Talent, would like to get the traffic to slow down as it’s passing through the city," said Tim Fletcher, project coordinator with ODOT. ODOT will next pursue right-of-way acquisition of properties, including the property leased to the Bangkok Benny restaurant. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2005 and be completed by summer 2006. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities