The partially opened south Medford interchange is intended to improve traffic flow near Interstate 5, but neighbors who use Highland Drive say that, so far, it's made matters worse.
Bob Mylenek says the start of his morning commute has become an adventure, as he tries to pull onto Highland from Greenwood Road. The combination of increased traffic, higher speeds and an S-curve in the road has made the intersection dangerous.
"You can't see anything coming," said Mylenek. "It's totally blind."
The 58-year-old Medford businessman said he's had a couple of narrow misses as vehicles come barreling down behind him when he pulls onto Highland at Greenwood, the first intersection north of Barnett Road.
He's noticed an increase in traffic since the interchange opened. Cars come off the four-lane-wide off-ramp, cross Barnett, funnel down Highland through the S-curve and appear surprised to find motorists entering the roadway from Greenwood, he said.
The motorists coming off the freeway also drive faster than before the off-ramp opened, he said.
"Somebody who is not an aggressive driver is going to get smacked."
Mylenek, whose wife also had noticed problems making the turn, has contacted Medford officials to see if anything can be done to alleviate the situation.
"I don't know what the answer is going to be," said Mylenek. "They really need something to slow this down."
He said he fears even more traffic will use Highland once the new interchange is fully open, particularly when Barnett is closed for six months beginning this summer to build a new bridge over Bear Creek.
During the planning for the south Medford interchange, some residents voiced concerns about increased traffic dumping into Highland.
Mylenek said he's not an opponent of the project. "I think it's great," he said.
Medford City Council member Bob Strosser, who has discussed the traffic situation with Mylenek, said he's contacted the police chief to see if anything can be done about speeding motorists.
He said it's difficult for motorists on Greenwood to see southbound on Greenwood because of the S-curve and an apartment complex that obscures the line of sight.
Strosser said he wouldn't be surprised if the new interchange has boosted the number of cars on Highland, despite earlier traffic studies indicating it wouldn't have much of an effect.
"Sometimes theory and reality don't coincide," he said.
He said the city eventually will need to conduct a new traffic count to see how the interchange is affecting Highland.
Cory Crebbin, Medford's public works director, said if the city receives a request, it could conduct a traffic study at the intersection.
He said it is difficult to tell whether the interchange has permanently affected traffic on Highland because it is not finished yet.
After construction is finished, he predicts traffic will be down on Barnett as motorists find other options to get around town.
Until the work is done, he said, "Traffic patterns are unpredictable."
Currently, northbound traffic on I-5 can take the off-ramp, but are not yet allowed to turn west over the freeway to reach Riverside Avenue — the primary connection to downtown — because other ramps are still under construction. Once the overpass is open, a share of the traffic is expected to choose the westerly route.
Crebbin said if speeding is an issue, the police department could take enforcement steps as it has done on other streets in the city.
He said a planned change at the Greenwood and Highland interchange could help slow down traffic.
"We are going to put in an advanced pedestrian crossing," said Crebbin.
The crossing will provide a route for pedestrians between Greenwood Road and Bear Creek Park on the west side of Highland.
While plans are not yet finalized, Crebbin said, there will be markings and signs and a flashing beacon possibly would be installed to warn motorists.
Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or dmann@mailtribune.com.
