November 11, 2009 - County's Skeptical of Bypass Proposal

By Damian Mann

Mail Tribune

Appeals by legislators and transportation officials failed to fully convince Jackson County commissioners Tuesday that a $100 million Highway 62 bypass proposal won't be a waste of money.

"I don't think it's the best project for the entire community of Jackson County," Commissioner Jack Walker said.

After years of discussion and research, the Oregon Department of Transportation is proposing a bypass to alleviate congestion on busy Highway 62 in north Medford. The new roadway would begin just east of Poplar Avenue, on the north side of Highway 62, and create either a two-lane or four-lane highway running roughly along the old Medco Haul Road for 3.5 miles to just south of White City. Another option is to end the bypass at Vilas Road.

Projections indicate that 27 percent of drivers on the highway would use the new route.

"It's really a lot of money to handle about a third of the traffic," said Commissioner Dave Gilmour. "If all that comes out of this is a permanent bypass that goes from Vilas Road to Ace Hardware (near Poplar Avenue), not a lot is gained."

While the commissioners's support is not required for the project to move forward, their opposition could jeopardize the funding and the money could go elsewhere in the state, Matt Garrett, director of ODOT warned.

Commissioners said they want ODOT to answer questions about the project before the county endorses it. After receiving assurances their questions would be answered, the commissioners agreed Tuesday they would not send a letter opposing the project.

The bypass would primarily be funded through Oregon House Bill 2001, which provided more than $900 million in transportation projects over 10 years throughout the state.

The money will be raised through bonds and by increasing motor vehicle fees and the gas tax by 6 cents per gallon.

Legislators who helped Jackson County get the money in Salem were surprised the commissioners didn't endorse the bypass plan that was part of a multi-year planning effort. The bypass also has been identified as a project of statewide importance, offering tourists a gateway to Crater Lake.

"It's not spending money for the sake of spending money," said Rep. Peter Buckley, D-Ashland.

Rep. Dennis Richardson, R-Central Point, said it's important to have the county endorse a project that has been the subject of much discussion for at least 12 years.

"Commissioner Walker is grousing about what's already been done," he said.

Art Anderson, ODOT area manager, said the portion of Highway 62 — also known as Crater Lake Highway — in the Medford area is one of the most congested in Southern Oregon, with an average of about 40,000 vehicle trips a day.

While ODOT prefers to build a four-lane bypass, Anderson said that the $100 million might only pay for a two-lane segment at first. However, the long-range plans call for the roadway to be four lanes, he said.

Rep. Sal Esquivel, R-Medford, said a four-lane roadway to Vilas has been proposed for years.

"Do it right in the first place," he said. "We fought very hard to allocate the money for this project."

The commissioners also asked for more information about how many businesses would be harmed by the bypass, either by being displaced or having their access changed.

Walker said many local businesses are struggling with the economy and don't need limits placed on customer access.

"If I were one of those businesses, I would say not now," he said.

Anderson said ODOT does consider the impact on businesses, but also must look at safety issues on Highway 62.

"It's a balance," he said.

The commissioners also voiced concern that other local transportation projects could get shortchanged if the state throws more money into extending the bypass in the future. The total cost to build the bypass to White City has been estimated at up to $450 million.

When the bypass is built, ODOT wants to turn over jurisdiction of Highway 62 to the city and county. Gilmour said if the county assumes responsibility for the roadway it would also have to pay for the maintenance, which could be considerable.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail dmann@mailtribune.com.

September 25, 2009 - Medford Explores Hwy. 62 Bridge

By Damian Mann

Mail Tribune

Medford — City Council members Thursday decided a bridge would make more sense than a signal to help route traffic onto a proposed Highway 62 bypass, but worried how the $100 million project might disrupt businesses along the busy thoroughfare.

The project still is mostly conceptual, and some council members expressed frustration about endorsing it before they know how businesses in possible work areas might be affected.

"I have a difficult time providing you with a direction unless I have all the information," Councilman Chris Corcoran said.

Despite initial reservations, council members agreed to explore building a bridge, located to the west of Whittle Avenue, that would accommodate vehicles driving toward Interstate 5 on Highway 62. Motorists traveling away from the freeway would have the option to drive under the bridge to reach the bypass, which roughly would follow the old Medco Haul Road.

Tim Fletcher, project manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation, said the Butler Truck Center, which has moved, no longer is located on Highway 62. The property where the truck center was located would become a major part of the bypass access and is located on land now owned by the county.

Drivers travelling toward Medford on Highway 62 no longer would be able to make left turns into businesses such as Hubbard's Hardware, Guitar Center or Abby's Legendary Pizza, and there would be restrictions on right turns. Those businesses are located in the area where traffic would merge left to get onto the bypass.

A transportation advisory team will take the City Council's recommendation into consideration when it considers which option to pursue.

Oregon Department of Transportation officials think the bridge idea would cause fewer problems for businesses than a traffic signal, although it would add about $10 million to the project cost. As a result, transportation officials likely would be looking at a signal rather than another bridge near White City to control traffic getting on to the bypass to stay within the $100 million budget.

In addition, a bridge in Medford would help route more traffic onto the bypass than a signal and also cause less congestion, transportation officials have determined.

The bypass would extend from about Whittle Avenue, past Vilas Road and end near White City, creating a two-lane, 55 mph road with no on- or off-ramps over its 3.5 mile length. If built, ODOT estimates a quarter of the traffic on Highway 62 would use the bypass.

Bob Seus, owner of Hubbard's Hardware, said he and other business owners are concerned about a project that is difficult to pin down because it appears to be constantly evolving.

"No matter what, there is going to be an impact," he said. "Are we going to get slammed? I don't know yet."

Seus said motorists traveling toward the freeway on Highway 62 do turn left to reach Hubbard's, but he said that isn't the best option.

"It's probably not the safest turn lane," he said. "We've seen the wrecks out there."

A safer alternative would be to turn left on Delta Waters, right on Crater Lake Ave., then left on Skypark Drive, but Seus acknowledged that many motorists prefer to take the more direct route.

Despite his concerns, Seus said something needs to be done to alleviate congestion on Highway 62. Whatever plan ultimately is approved, business owners will be attending transportation meetings to make sure their voices are heard, he said.

"We're going to be diligent about what's going to happen out there," Seus said.

ODOT also is looking at creating a wide shoulder for bikes on the bypass, or possibly salvaging a paved portion of the Old Medco Haul Road that would provide a better separation between the highway and the bike path.

Fletcher said one possibility being considered is to build a bridge over the bypass area to give better access to the path.

Transportation officials also will explore encouraging other forms of transit on the bypass, such as improving bus access.

To qualify for the $100 million in state money, the project must begin by 2013.

Fletcher said ODOT would continue to meet with businesses and city officials as plans are developed for a project designed to ease congestion through Medford.

"We don't have all the answers yet, but we're listening to all the concerns," he said.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail dmann@mailtribune.com.

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September 15, 2009 - Highway 62 Bypass May Cut Traffic 25 Percent

By Damian Mann

Mail Tribune

A plan to shift a quarter of the traffic off congested Highway 62 in Medford is taking shape as transportation officials move forward with a $100 million bypass route.

The project would begin just east of Poplar Avenue and create a two-lane highway running roughly along the old Medco Haul Road for 3.5 miles to just south of White City.

Motorists would use the route as a way to avoid the busiest stretch of Highway 62, which has more than 40,000 vehicle trips a day in the heavily traveled shopping areas in Medford.

Projections indicate that 26 percent of drivers on the highway would use the bypass.

The project would be funded through Oregon House Bill 2001, which provided more than $900 million in transportation projects over 10 years throughout the state.

The money will be raised through bonds and by increasing motor vehicle fees and the gas tax by 6 cents per gallon.

To qualify for the $100 million locally, the project must begin by 2013. Tim Fletcher, project leader for the Oregon Department of Transportation, said the bypass could go to bid by June 2012.

Fletcher said one major issue to be resolved is whether to construct a signal so motorists can enter the bypass west of Whittle Avenue in Medford or to build a bridge to allow the free-flowing movement of traffic. Whittle Avenue is about three-quarters of a mile east of Interstate 5.

The bridge would be built on the existing Highway 62 to accommodate vehicles driving toward I-5. Motorists traveling away from I-5 would drive under the bridge to reach the bypass road.

The bypass would have no on- or off-ramps from that point until it ends near White City, about a mile past Vilas Road.

A bridge would be built over Vilas that could ultimately accommodate four lanes, but no ramps would be built there during the first phase of the project. Another bridge would be built over Justice Road.

Fletcher said transportation officials are debating whether to use a signal at the White City end of the bypass or to build another bridge to make it easier for traffic to get on and off.

Because more turn lanes would be needed to merge traffic onto the bypass, Highway 62 in Medford would have to be widened in certain sections.

ODOT spokesman Gary Leaming said the main goal is to design a route that motorists can use to avoid the congestion through Medford.

"It has to work from day one," he said.

To maximize the length of the bypass and to save money, Leaming said it would be built with only one lane in each direction.

"We're trying to push this as far north as possible," Leaming said. "We're trying to push it past Vilas Road."

Eventually, transportation officials would like to extend the bypass along the north side of the Department of Veterans Affairs' domiciliary in White City, from where it would reconnect with the existing Highway 62.

Leaming said it will take several years to finalize designs and to purchase property along the route.

Leaming said transportation officials have been working for years to find a way to build the bypass. The Legislature's funding plan gave it a critical boost.

"Anybody who drives on Highway 62 knows we need to get the first phase of the project on the ground and operating," he said.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail dmann@mailtribune.com.

August 11, 2009 - Bear Creek Bridge Takes Bite Out of Barnett Business

By Damian Mann

Mail Tribune

Businesses on Barnett Road near Interstate 5 are reporting a sharp drop in sales since the Medford thoroughfare was blocked for demolition of a bridge over Bear Creek.

"Probably 75 percent of my business just disappeared," said Max Lundy, manager of the South Gate Shell Station on Barnett Road.

Lundy said that as a result, the gas station will cut back from a 24-hour operation and will begin closing at midnight.

"Even the Chevron is closing at 10 at night," said Lundy. Chevron is across the street from the Shell station on Barnett, just west of I-5.

The downturn has affected businesses on both the east and west sides of the road closure.

Wildish Standard Paving of Eugene already has demolished the aging bridge and removed the asphalt on either side of Bear Creek, requiring motorists to wend their way through a construction zone to reach the businesses closest to the work. Transportation officials said the $1.7 million bridge-replacement project was necessary because the old bridge was reaching the end of its lifespan.

The bridge replacement is the final piece of a massive project that also pushed the I-5 interchange a quarter-mile south of Barnett Road. The new interchange opened in July.

Most of the concern has been for businesses on the east side of the closed bridge, where customers have to maneuver along a temporary dirt road, often after a circuitous detour. However, many businesses on the west side, including the gas stations and restaurants, have felt the fallout as well. For them, not only has the road been closed, but the move of the southbound freeway off-ramp and two on-ramps means many motorists no longer pass by their front doors.

"We used to be on a thoroughfare," said Jim Potter, owner of Rooster's Restaurant. "Now we're on a cul-de-sac. It's a real tough time right now."

Noting that summer normally is his busiest time of the year, Potter said the downturn will make it particularly tough for his business, which has been hit by the interchange move, the economy and now the closure of Barnett.

"It's like a fighter in the ring — bang, bang, bang," he said.

Bill Potvin, food bar manager at HomeTown Buffet, said business has been hit and miss over the past month.

"We have noticed a decrease in business because of the closure," he said.

On the other hand, he said, the restaurant was busier two weeks ago than at the same time last year.

"It's been like a roller coaster," he said.

On the other side of the freeway, Tom Hawkins, owner of the Dairy Queen, said the downturn has been striking, but not unexpected.

"We're down about 60 percent," he said.

Since he's been planning for the closure for years, he said it will be easier to bear.

"I'm anxious to get the road reopened," he said.

The Dairy Queen and several motels on Alba Drive may have the worst situation of all. They are immediately west of the closed bridge, but east of the freeway, so the only motorists who drive that direction are looking for them — or lost. The northbound off-ramp that once fed directly into Alba Drive has been closed.

Hawkins purchased additional signs that ODOT agreed to install to help direct traffic to his business. Motorists can no longer turn directly onto Alba from Barnett, but have to go east over the overpass and turn left just before the construction cones at what was formerly the northbound on-ramp for Interstate 5. The temporary road will lead drivers to the Dairy Queen and motels.

On the east side of the bridge, Curt Moore, owner of the Black Bear Diner, said, "We're down, definitely."

But he said the decline has been less than the drop-off when earlier interchange construction activity made it difficult to access his restaurant.

The three motels near the Dairy Queen have seen a significant downturn, particularly in walk-in traffic.

Moore said ODOT has been more approachable recently as it tries to post as many signs as possible to direct traffic to businesses.

"They have been trying to work with us," he said.

Not every business has been adversely affected by the road closure.

Darby Stricker, general manager of the Best Western Horizon Inn on the east side of the closure, said it's been only a minor inconvenience for her customers to drive on dirt for about 40 feet before turning into the hotel.

"It was a challenge in the first couple of days," Stricker said.

She said her hotel has been more affected by the economic downturn that has cut tourism statewide by 12 percent

The opening of the new interchange helped her business, which is being remodeled to take advantage of its new visibility to motorists exiting the interstate.

"The new interchange drops people off the freeway into our back door," she said. "It really helps."

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or dmann@mailtribune.com.

February 3, 2009 - Too Many Too Fast?

By Damian Mann

Mail Tribune

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.

June 7, 2009 - Bridge Closure Drives Concern

By Damian Mann

Mail Tribune

When a 61-year-old bridge over Bear Creek is demolished in July, Barnett Road will turn into a dead-end street for about six months, and merchants along one of the city's busiest thoroughfares say they are bracing for the fallout.

"We've been dreading this day for years now," said Curt Moore, owner of the Black Bear Diner.

Starting sometime after July 4, drivers coming from residential areas in east Medford and heading west along Barnett will encounter a construction zone around the diner, the Dairy Queen and four hotels. Motorists heading east no longer will be able to go past Stewart Avenue. In essence, Barnett will become a dead-end street going both directions.

This is the last phase of the South Medford interchange project, and it likely will be one of the most disruptive for local motorists and businesses.

The bridge closure will cut off the Black Bear Diner, an adjacent motel and other businesses from any direct traffic from west of Interstate 5.

Perhaps even more dire will be the situation of the Dairy Queen and three adjacent motels, which will be cut off both from east Medford and from the freeway on- and off-ramps, which are on the east side of the creek. Further west, several gas stations and fast-food restaurants also will be cut off from the east side of Barnett and the freeway ramps.

For either location, a motorist 100 yards away on the opposite side of the creek will face a drive of nearly two miles to reach their businesses.

The Oregon Department of Transportation acknowledges the construction work will be a hardship for businesses. ODOT has hired a marketing person and is installing 11 additional signs to help guide motorists around the area.

"We're obviously concerned about the closure of the bridge," said ODOT spokesman Gary Leaming.

As much as Moore has prepared himself for the bridge closure, he said he has no idea what effect it will have on his diner.

He said he lost 25 percent of his customers when work began on the interchange in 2006, particularly from eastside medical business employees who found the area difficult to negotiate. He has lost additional customers because of the recession, he said.

Moore said he expects the bridge closure will be a shock for many motorists despite the warnings.

"There are a tremendous number of people who don't know the bridge is going to come down," he said. "It will catch a lot of people cold."

The diner has passed out maps and letters to its customers explaining the big change. Some additional signs have been placed to direct motorists, but Moore said he was hoping for more.

He has asked ODOT to install three additional signs at various points along Highway 99 at Barnett, Stewart and Garfield.

"After all this construction, this is the only thing I asked for, and they said they couldn't do it for me," he said.

Leaming said that after some review, ODOT decided it could put the signs in if Moore agreed to pay half the cost, which he had volunteered to do.

Moore said he didn't think ODOT's new marketing person, hired to help affected businesses, will help much.

"Why are they bringing this person out a couple of weeks before the closure?" he asked.

While the marketing person seems knowledgeable, Moore said, many of the ideas she suggested already were in the works by the local businesses.

"We're kind of on our own," he said.

Moore said the contractor, Wildish Standard Paving of Eugene, has indicated it might complete the bridge project in less than six months, but Moore said he isn't holding his breath. ODOT on Friday announced the start of the project would be delayed by two weeks because of difficulty getting a signal control mast on the new interchange bridge.

Leaming said his department has paid for multiple signs already to make sure motorists know about the six businesses that are in the construction "hot zone."

Leaming said the restaurant that now houses the Black Bear Diner had been closed for years, but was reopened just prior to the beginning of the South Medford Interchange project.

"He knew this project was coming, but he elected to open his business there," he said.

ODOT did not hold a marketing meeting until May 12, because the project was in flux and there wasn't a lot that businesses could do until they got closer to the date of the bridge closure, said Leaming. He said the purpose of the meeting was to help the businesses work together.

Leaming said it will be a challenge for local motorists to deal with the closure of a major arterial street. He said he hopes residents understand the need to continue to support the affected businesses.

On the west side of the interchange, Leaming said, the merchants won't be as impacted by the bridge closure.

He said there still will be street access to Winco, gas stations and restaurants, as well as signs that will help motorists.

"It will be different, but you will still able to get there," he said.

Barbara Schenck, a marketing consultant who worked with ODOT on the closure of a bridge in Roseburg, said that no businesses closed as a result of the bridge work in that community.

She said that after the May 12 meeting, the six merchants near the bridge formed a consortium to help promote each other's businesses and share resources, such as coupons that the motels can pass out for the restaurants. She said the businesses also are working individually to get the word out to their customers.

"The main point I want to make is how resilient these people were," said Schenck.

Some businesses don't foresee a problem with the Barnett Road bridge closure.

Darby Stricker, general manager of the Best Western Horizon Inn, adjacent to Black Bear Diner, thinks the worst is behind her because she depends on mostly out-of-town travelers. When the bridge closes, the interchange will have been completed, with an off-ramp delivering motorists close to her front door.

"Once customers are able to access both sides of the freeway, things will improve," she said.

Stricker said she can understand the concerns of the businesses that depend more on local traffic.

"I know some of them are freaking out," she said. "Anybody dependent on local traffic is going to be jammed up by this."

Tom Hawkins, owner of the Dairy Queen, said ODOT and Wildish have done a great job of keeping in contact with business owners. He said the work so far has resulted in only a minor decline in business.

"I think once it is all done and opened up, it will allow better access and visibility and it will overall be safer on Barnett Road," said Hawkins, who runs the business with his wife, Leah.

Jim Potter, owner of Rooster's Restaurant on Barnett's west side of I-5, said he expects to see a downturn in customers.

"I've been telling people we're changing our name to Knot's Landing because we're at the end of a cul-de-sac."

He said he fears motorists coming from the west will be reluctant to take Barnett because it will be closed after Stewart Drive, and traffic from the east will be frustrated by the construction.

"They'd need a compass, a map and a GPS just to get here," he said.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or dmann@mailtribune.com.