Transportation System Plan 2018-2038

Transportation Plan (RTP), prepared for the Medford Urbanized Area (including Medford, Phoenix and Central Point) by the Rogue Valley Metropolitan Pl anning Organization and adopted in 2002, establishes policy direction for vehicular transportation within the Medford UGB. Goal 1 of the RTP addresses the need to " Plan for, develop, and maintain a multi-modal transportation system that will address existing and future needs for transportation of people and goods in the region, recognizing the importance of the street network to most surface travel modes " (emphasis added). RTP policies and objectives relevant to the street com ponent address the need for: • “Provid(ing) for smoother traffic flow and less cong estion, particularly as it relates to commuter transportation. (Policy 3-1.2) • Creat(ing) an integrated and linked network of arterial and collector streets that serves the mobility and multimodal travel needs of the region and consider network-wide improvements (i.e. beltways, by-passes, new interchanges, transpor tation demand management methods, etc.) to sustain acceptable levels of servi ce and anticipate future needs. (Policy 3-1.3) • Recognizing that a “Higher priority shall be placed on preservation of the existing street system through maintenance than on added capacity.” (Policy 8-1) The City ’s Comprehensive Plan also contains goals, policies and im plem entation strategies that affect the street transportation system . Several goals and im plem entation strategies in the Comprehensive Plan focus on developing an effective arterial street network. The Public Facilities Element of the Plan directs that a m inimum perform ance of level of service “D” s hould be maintained during peak periods in all areas of the City , including areas within the City that are yet to be developed. Other goals address the need for efficient integration of transportation m odes and of va rious City plan and code docum ents into the overall City Transportation System Plan . These goals, policies and im plem entation strategies were reviewed and modified as appropriate during the developm ent of the TSP. New goals, policies and im plem entation strategies are included in Chapter 13. The City of Medford’s Vision for the 21st Century identifies a series of “elem ents” aim ed at m eeting the City’s circulation needs in the com ing decades. E ach elem ent includes a supporting “Action Plan” that includes specific actions, responsibilities, tim elines, human and fiscal resources, challenges and measures of effectiveness. Three elem ents in particular a ffect the City ’s street sy stem . Elem ent 1 and the corresponding action plan identify the need for the recently com pleted 2001-2023 Regional Transportation Plan and the City Transportation System Plan to develop a network of arterial and collector streets that provides alternatives to th e freeway for local travel. Elem ent 6 focuses on progressing from planning to im plem entation. Action item s include ongoing planning, com munity education and funding. Elem ent 9 em phasizes the need for interagency partne rship and cooperation to fund and im plem ent the highway projects that benefit the City . There are m any roads located within the Medford city limits and the Medford UGB that are under the jurisdiction of Jackson County . Additionally , many major roads cross the city lim its into the unincorporated area around the City . Accordingly , County transportation goals and policies affect the City’s future transportation sy stem . County Comprehensive Plan goals call for im proving the roadway s linking com munities and resources within Jackson County , and m aintaining County roads and bridges to retain or im prove their existing condition. County Comprehensive Plan transportation policies also identify the need for access managem ent on key high-traffic corridors such as Highway 62; recom mend steps be taken to ensure that proposed developm ent assure transportation facilities are ade quate to accom modate increased dem and generated by Medford Transportation System Plan 5-2 Street Plan