Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News 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 Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley 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 October 12, 2006 Price is high to fix Hwy. 62 traffic Alternatives presented in series of meetings By Meg Landers Mail Tribune Three options, each approaching a quarter of a billion dollars, will be laid out for city leaders today as possible remedies for congestion on Highway 62. The Oregon Department of Transportation is scheduled to give a presentation on the Highway 62 corridor project to the Medford City Council during its study session at noon today in Room 151, Lausmann Annex, 200 S. Ivy St., Medford. "All we're trying to do is reach out and give them a heads-up," said Art Anderson, ODOT area manager, adding that one option will be selected in 2007. The three alternatives under consideration, and estimated costs, are: $230 million to $270 million — Highway 62 would become a thoroughfare with limited access, and Lear Way would be extended to serve as access for local businesses. $210 to $250 million — Highway 62 would be turned into a "Texas turnaround," which eliminates access points to businesses. There would be a series of interchanges and one-way frontage roads for access on each side, and the road would be widened. $200 million to $240 million — Medco Haul Road would be turned into a new Highway 62, with access points near Poplar Drive, at Vilas Road and in White City. The existing Highway 62 would become a city or county street for local traffic. There would be a "split diamond" interchange design that would connect the bypass traffic to I-5 rather than reconnecting it back to the local road. Without the split diamond feature, the project cost is $170 million to $210 million. Advertisement The estimates are not final, ODOT officials caution. "That does not include right-of-way costs," which have not been determined, said Debbie Timms, project leader with ODOT. She said as an example, right-of-way purchases made up about 18 percent of the construction costs for the north Medford interchange. Timms said the project's citizens advisory committee is expected to narrow the selection down to two options at its Oct. 25 meeting. Construction would not begin until 2009. ODOT officials say $38 million is available for the project, which will be built in phases, and numerous state and federal funds will be tapped for the remainder of the cost. The 7.9-mile-long stretch from the north Medford interchange through White City to Dutton Road, dubbed the Highway 62 corridor, is a major route for commuter, tourism, retail and freight traffic. It suffers from congestion and safety problems during most of the day, officials said. According to ODOT, 40 percent of the vehicles on Highway 62 are traveling through the corridor, while 60 percent use the road to access businesses within the corridor. In 1998, 31,000 vehicles per day used the corridor. The number has since jumped to 42,000, and is expected to reach 70,000 in 2020. Mike Quilty, chairman of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and member of the Highway 62 corridor project development team, said given the current growth rate and the traffic problems already along Highway 62 at rush hour, the region is going to have to invest in infrastructure to accommodate needs for the next 30 years. "It's either that or we're all going to have to get used to much higher levels of congestion," he said. He said because the project's price tag is so high, doing nothing is still a consideration. "At this point everything on the table is from a do-nothing no-build to building a new highway out there," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com