Chapter 9 Air Transportation Plan Overview This chapter includes a review and assessm ent of need s, deficiencies, policies and im provem ent options affecting the air transportation sy stem within the Me dford Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). Included is a discussion of the local and regional policy context for developing and m aintaining this travel m ode, an evaluation of needs and deficiencies in the existing sy stem , and a discussion of various short, m id and longer term improvem ent projects for e nhancing and expanding this sy stem . Inform ation contained in this m emo was obtained largely from the recently com pleted Rogue Valley International-M edford Airport M aster Plan that includes forecasts of air passenger and cargo dem and and identifies options and recom mendations for airport im provem ent. In addition, the city ’s Level of Service study evaluated critical connections in the roadway system around the airport and provides insight into the airport landside access benefits realized by the im plem entation of currently -funded roadway improvem ent projects that are expected to be com pleted within the 20-y ear planning horizon. Additional improvem ent needs to the roadway system around the ai rport were also identified in this study . A key transportation issue to be addressed will be the adequacy of m ulti-m odal transportation access to the Rogue Valley International-Medford Ai rport, particularly in light of the growth in air passenger and air cargo activity that is anticipated in the Airport Master Plan . Policy Context and Background The 2001-2023 Rogue Valley Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) prepared for the Medford Urbanized Area by the Rogue Valley Metropolitan Planning Orga nization and adopted in 2002, establishes regional policy direction with respect to the air transportati on sy stem within the Medford UGB. The Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport provides an im portant passenger and freight connection to the remainder of the state, as well as to other national and internati onal destinations. Because of the regional significance of this facility , the RTP recom mends that “Local governments shall take actions to promote air transportation in the region and its conn ections with the other areas in the state, nation, and abroad. This includes ensuring that good ground transportation is available for passengers and freight, and that the Airport Master Plan is periodically updated as necessary.” (Policy 13-1) The City ’s existing Comprehensive Plan includes a goal and policies specifically directed at protecting and enhancing the air transportation sy stem . Go al 7 indicates that the City will take actions “To assure that land use planning and development approval processes are fully coordinated with the present and future needs of the Rogue Valley International-Med ford Airport, thereby protecting and enhancing this valuable regional resource.” Adopted city policies related to air transportation include the following: • “Policy 1: The City of Medford shall encourage and support in every way possible the continuation and expansion of the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport facilities and services as an important transportation mode. This “Public Facilities Element” shall be amended as appropriate as airport facility plans are updated by Jackson County.” • “Policy 2: The City of Medford shall be an ac tive participant in all matters related to airport land use planning. Special emphasis shall be placed on providing protective land use Medford Transportatio n System Plan 9-1 Air Transportation Plan

Transportation System Plan 2018-2038