November
11 2016
ODOT A Mail Tribune Advertising Department publication
Winter Travel Tips
Fern Valley interchange Siskiyou Rest Area
Caveman Bridge
Oregon 62 Expressway odotmovingahead.com
November 11, 2016
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ODOT PREPARES FOR
A “NORMAL” WINTER
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, southern Oregon is in line for a normal winter.
For ODOT District Manager Jerry Marmon, a normal winter is a busy winter. He cautions Interstate 5 travelers to come prepared for winter snow and ice on Oregon’s five highest mountain passes — Siskiyou (4,310 feet above sea level), Sexton (1,956 feet), Smith Hill (1,730 feet), Stage Road (1,830 feet) and Canyon Creek (2,020 feet). “The last two winters were the second- and third-warmest on record,” said NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Ryan Sandler. “This year looks to be more like a normal winter, with heavy snow in the mountains and rain in the valley.” ODOT’s de-icer trucks and snowplows are at the ready. Maintenance crews in Ashland, Central Point, Grants Pass and Prospect adjusted schedules to provide 24-hour winter coverage. However, Marmon said the key to keeping the state highways open is a driver’s preparation and patience.
“Our success is tied to the public’s ability to slow down and drive safely in winter conditions,” said Marmon. “You can’t expect to travel over these mountains in winter without encountering adverse conditions. “Even experienced drivers need patience. It’s a challenge to keep traffic flowing when a snowstorm hits. Cars slide around and tractor-trailer rigs jackknife. However, if you’re prepared, you’ll stay warm and safe in your vehicle. Don’t take chances. Prepare for the worst.” Siskiyou Pass Keeping I-5 open is a priority due to its importance as a regional freight route and its high traffic volumes. The Siskiyou Pass presents a unique challenge as it is Oregon’s only mountain pass where all-weather or studded tires cannot be substituted for chains. “We go to a higher standard of traction devices because of the grades, the traffic and drivers’ experience,” said Marmon. “When we light our
WINTER continued on page 7
EDITORIAL DIRECTORS Jared Castle, 541-957-3656 jared.b.castle@odot.state.or.us Gary Leaming, 541-774-6388 gary.w.leaming@odot.state.or.us ADVERTISING Dena DeRose, 541-776-4439 dderose@mailtribune.com
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CONTRIBUTORS Bret Jackson Publication Supervisor Steve Johnson Photography Brian Fitz-Gerald Illustration Shelley Snow, Shonna Zimmermann Editing
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This feature publication is produced separately from the Mail Tribune’s editorial department. All content is developed and approved by the Oregon Department of Transportation. ODOT is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer committed to a diverse workforce. Accommodations will be provided to persons with disabilities; alternate formats are available upon request.
KNOW
Before You Go
Pay attention to these four snow zone messages:
Carry Chains or Traction Tires The chains or traction tires must be in or on your vehicle, and they must be the right size for your vehicle and of sufficient number to comply with the chain rules.
Chains Required on Vehicles Towing or Over 10,000 GVW Vehicles towing or rated for more than 10,000 pounds GVW must use chains.
Chains Required on Vehicles Towing or Single Drive Axle Over 10,000 GVW You must use chains if your vehicle is rated 10,000 pounds GVW (gross vehicle weight) or less and is towing; or is a single drive axle vehicle rated over 10,000 GVW. Chains must also be used on the trailer or vehicle being towed to comply with chain rules.
Chains Required-Traction Tires Allowed on Vehicles Under 10,000 GVW Vehicles towing or rated for 10,000 pounds GVW must use chains. Vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds GVW or less and that are not towing must use chains or traction tires.
CHAIN REQUIREMENTS Chains include link chains, cable chains, or any other device that attaches to the wheel, vehicle, or outside of the tire, which is specifically designed to increase traction on ice and snow. Traction tires include studded tires or tires that meet tire industry standards for use in severe snow conditions. Studless traction tires that meet Rubber Manufacturers Association standards for use in severe snow conditions carry a special symbol on the tire sidewall: a three-peaked mountain and snowflake. Research shows these tires provide better traction than studded tires on bare pavement.
When towing, cars and light trucks must use chains on both tires of the drive axle; chains also must be on the two outside tires of at least one axle of a trailer that is equipped with a brake. In most winter conditions, four-wheel and all-wheel-drive vehicles are exempt from the requirement to use chains or traction tires if the vehicle is not towing.
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CONDITIONAL CLOSURES
ON THE SISKIYOU PASS Extreme winter conditions on the Interstate 5 Siskiyou Pass often necessitate a conditional road closure – a requirement for all vehicles to use chains regardless of the type of vehicle or type of tire. While a conditional road closure may be placed on any of Oregon’s state highways, the requirement is most frequent on the Siskiyou Pass because of the highway geometry, driver experience and relatively high volumes of traffic. “Every winter we encounter motorists who have never heard of conditional closure requirements on Siskiyou Pass,” said Everett Carroll, ODOT’s Ashland maintenance manager. “This is perhaps the least understood restriction for the Siskiyou Pass.” ODOT and Oregon State Police maintain check points on either side of the Siskiyou pass and will turn a motorist around if they aren’t prepared. The basic Carry Chains requirement and three additional types of restrictions are used.
RESTRICTIONS ON THE
SISKIYOU PASS
Carry Chains When signs say you must carry chains, the chains must be in or on your vehicle all winter, and must be the right size and of sufficient number to comply with chain laws. Single Axle Trucks and Vehicles Pulling Trailers Under this restriction, all single axle trucks over 10,000 GVW (gross vehicle weight), trucks pulling double trailers, and any vehicle pulling a trailer is required to install chains. Traction tires cannot be substituted for chains.
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All Trucks and Vehicles Pulling Trailers Under this restriction, all trucks over 10,000 GVW as well as any vehicle pulling a trailer needs to chain up. Traction tires cannot be substituted for chains. Full Chain Restriction This is the most severe winter restriction used in Oregon (short of a full closure). Under the Full Chain restriction, all vehicles, with the exception of 4-wheel drive and emergency response vehicles, are required to install chains. A traction tire is not allowed to substitute for chains.
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WINTER continued from page 4 signs, every vehicle on the Siskiyous Pass has to chain up except vehicles equipped with four-wheel drive.” Pilot Project ODOT launched a five-year pilot project in 2012 to use rock salt in limited weather and roadway conditions. The Siskiyou Pass was chosen because it is the highest elevation (4,310 feet) on the Interstate 5 corridor. During winter, chain restrictions, traffic delays and temporary road closures regularly occur. Due to the elevation and length of the Siskiyou Pass, road and weather conditions can be poles apart — and change rapidly — across the first 11 miles of I-5 from the California border north to Ashland. ODOT is determining how salt, used collaboratively with the agency’s other tools and equipment, can improve safety and reduce delays. The other highway in the five-year pilot project is U.S. 95, which stretches about
120 miles between Nevada and Idaho, neighboring states already using rock salt on their highways. California uses salt to reduce snowpack buildup. Test results on the Siskiyou Pass have been positive. “Over the past four winters, rock salt has helped us decrease chain restrictions by 50 percent and temporary holds by 75 percent,” said Marmon. Highway Advisory Radio I-5 travelers approaching the Siskiyou Pass can learn the latest road conditions information by tuning their radios to the ODOT Highway Advisory Radio at 1610 AM. “The HAR is a great communication tool,” said Marmon. “Drivers get real time updates on the summit conditions, so they can adjust their plans whether to either stop and rest or proceed over the pass.” The HAR signal broadcasts as far north as Central Point.
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ROGUE VALLEY INCIDENT RESPONSE It isn’t unusual for the public to see Sergio Mendoza working in his office, since Interstate 5, Oregon 62, Oregon 238 and all of the other statemanaged highways located in the Rogue Valley are essentially his office.
traffic flowing,” said Mendoza. “Assisting motorists and getting them back on the road lessens their exposure on the highway shoulder. The fog line provides no protection.”
According to Assistant District Manager Jeremiah Griffin, the As ODOT’s incident responder, number of highway incidents ODOT Mendoza works in coordination responds to in the Rogue with local emergency Valley is the secondresponders to reduce highest in the state, traffic delays caused by trailing only the crashes, mechanical Assisting motorists Portland metro breakdowns, and and getting them back area. Traffic and debris blocking on the road lessens congestion along the travel lanes. Crater Lake their exposure on the His incident Highway and I-5 highway shoulder. The response truck (from Grants Pass fog line provides no is equipped with to Ashland) are traffic control major contributors protection. equipment and to the high volume — Incident Responder Sergio Mendoza communication of incidents. equipment, including a “Weather, incidents, variable message board to congestion and special events alert the traveling public. The all can contribute to congestion,” rugged build of the incident response said Griffin. “During peak travel times, truck means it can also push or pull a minor crash or mechanical vehicles off the roadway as needed. breakdown interrupts the flow of The truck also carries basic tools traffic and creates long queues and so Mendoza can provide roadside delays. There’s also a safety risk of assistance, which often involves distracted drivers that can lead to helping motorists with flat tires or secondary crashes.” empty fuel tanks. Mendoza is part of a larger traffic “The focus is on safety and keeping incident management strategy
“
”
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embraced nationwide to limit the duration of incidents in order to minimize their impact and restore smooth traffic flow as quickly as possible. The program also saves the commercial trucking industry money by reducing travel delays. Building partnerships Several times a year, Rogue Valley emergency service personnel from local fire and police agencies, Mercy Flights and area tow companies meet to debrief and review ways to better respond to specific incidents. “The emergency service meetings are effective in improving safety and building necessary relationships,” said Griffin. Emergency providers share experience and tips. For example, Mendoza provides training on best practices to push or pull a vehicle out of a travel lane to get traffic moving again. “My role allows ODOT maintenance to better connect and coordinate with local emergency response agencies, whether we meet on the road or at a strategy meeting in a conference room,” said Mendoza. “These meetings allow all agencies involved to work together and create a safer environment for the public and the responders,” said Oregon State Police Sergeant Jeff Proulx. “Once we
get on scene, we can implement the plans quickly and safely.” Maintenance efficiency Before the incident response program started in the Rogue Valley, emergency calls required pulling maintenance crews off other assignments. “Historically, our maintenance personnel handled all crashes,” said Griffin. “By having a dedicated responder we’ve reduced interruptions to maintenance work by 40 percent.” In July 2013, the local ODOT maintenance office initiated a twoyear pilot program for a dedicated incident response service patrol. “At the end of the pilot, general consensus was that the incident response program provided tremendous value to both the traveling public and incident responders in terms of safety and efficiency,” said Griffin. “Likewise, the incident response program helped enhance the efficiency of our maintenance operations by allowing crews to dedicate more of their time to maintenance work and less time responding to incidents.” Incident Response You’ve read the story, now watch the video.
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HOLIDAY SEASON TRAVEL TIPS By Kim Stearns, Rogue Valley International — Medford Airport As I sit here, the leaves blowing by my window are a definite sign that the holiday travel season will soon be upon us! The Rogue Valley International – Medford Airport’s pattern of breaking record after record over the past 24 months looks like it will continue through the end of 2016. In addition to increased numbers at our airport, airports across the nation are witnessing growth in passenger travel. However, even though passenger numbers continue to tick up, the seat capacity for air carriers is trending down. The results are higher load factors on airplanes. So, how does this affect you? Check in early Make sure you get checked in early – twenty-four hours in advance for domestic flights. With the ease of the internet and, even more so, mobile apps, you want the airline to know not only have you bought your ticket, but you will be present for that flight. Reserving your seat when you purchase your ticket will indicate where you want to sit. Aisle
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and window seats are the most popular. Individuals who wait until the last minute to get to the airport and check-in at the ticket counter will end up with the leftover seats, and could miss their flight even though they’ve got their ticket in hand. It’s no secret that airlines oversell seats, and, with higher load factors, there aren’t many seats to spare. Bottom line, check-in early. Firearms Firearms continue to be an issue at checkpoints. Last week alone, the Transportation Safety Administration reported 71 firearms surrendered at checkpoints across the nation. So, please, before you even begin to pack, go through your bag and double check that you don’t have a firearm, ammunition, or a knife buried deep in an inner pocket. In regards to carry-on bags, dimensions are changing, and they’re not consistent among airlines. If you’ve booked on multiple carriers, be sure to check with each one to determine the carry-on size and go with the smallest one. What may be accepted on one carrier may not be valid at the next. End result, you’ll have to pay to check the bag.
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Confirm your flight Purchasing tickets on a third-party website can sometimes save you money. But it can sometimes cost you at the ticket counter. How can that be, you may ask? Third-party vendors may not always get your information correctly relayed to the primary air carrier or information may be missing. Take some time after purchasing your ticket to call the airline directly. Let them know you want to ensure your information is correct and updated. Ask for their confirmation number. That way, if there are changes to your reservation, you’ll get notified. Come early And finally, get to the airport early! I cannot stress this enough. At a minimum, you should arrive 90
minutes prior to your flight; two hours is even better. This is especially true for early morning departures. Spending a few extra minutes sitting in the boarding room waiting for your flight to take off is far more relaxing than waiting in line at the ticket counter, behind a family of five, while they’re shifting items from bag to bag in an effort to minimize the weight. Trust me, I’ve seen this happen. Travelling can be nerve wracking even for seasoned travelers. Make it easy on yourself. While you sit back in the boarding area watching the sun rise, you can take a deep breath, knowing you’ve made your flight. Safe travels everyone!
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CENTRAL POINT MAINTENANCE MANAGER RETIRES AFTER 35 YEARS Much has changed since Gary Lollar started on the Grants Pass landscape crew in 1982. A second-generation ODOT employee, Gary will soon retire from his role as the Central Point maintenance manager with 35 years of service to the state of Oregon. Lollar’s Central Point maintenance section encompasses a big chunk of the Rogue Valley, including Interstate 5 from Rogue River south to Phoenix, 20 miles of Oregon 62 from Medford to Trail, the entire length of Oregon 234, and every mile of Oregon 140 and 238 located in Jackson County. The high traffic volumes on Crater Lake Highway and I-5, especially on the Medford viaduct, make regular maintenance operations a challenge. “When I started, it was relatively safe to go out and work on the interstate,” said Lollar. “Nowadays, there’s no safe time without traffic control measures.” Lollar said improvements to maintenance equipment and communication tools like digital radios and cell phones have made a significant difference for maintenance operations. “TripCheck is a good tool all the way around,” said Lollar. “We use it to notify the public of traffic congestion or chain requirements when the weather changes on the Siskiyous or in the valley.”
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The Central Point crew can mount plows on 10-yard dump trucks when the need arises. Lollar said the facility had two radios and a small fleet of trucks — none with a snow plow — when he first joined the agency. Among all the work he’s been involved with over the past three and a half decades, Lollar said the fish passage projects stand out as some of the most satisfying. “I had no idea how easily attainable fish habitat could be made just by a relatively inexpensive repair of the elevation and structure of box culverts in Rogue basin streams,” said Lollar. “We started through the process and, all of a sudden, we got fish coming up through. It was pretty impressive. “Those were really good projects because you got to work with a whole lot of different people and see the process from the beginning to the finished product.” Lollar’s retirement plans should come as no surprise. “I plan on spending more time getting outside and going fishing,” said Lollar.
Gary Lollar interview You’ve read the story, now watch the video.
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PUNCH LIST WORK, LANDSCAPING
UNDERWAY AT FERN VALLEY INTERCHANGE
Following two years of construction, Phoenix celebrated the Fern Valley Interchange project with a late October ribbon-cutting ceremony in the parking lot of The Shoppes at Exit 24 next to Interstate 5. “The Phoenix interchange is another outstanding transportation investment in the Rogue Valley,” said ODOT Region Manager Frank Reading. “Nearly three quarters of a billion dollars in state transportation projects have been invested in Jackson and Josephine counties since 2001.” Reading called the $72 million Fern Valley Interchange project a legacy investment for future generations. “This project not only improves congestion and safety for vehicles but also upgrades facilities for bikes and pedestrians,” said Reading. Jackson County Greenway Coordinator Jenna Marmon agreed. “ODOT made it a priority to keep the Bear Creek Greenway connected during construction,” said Marmon. Prime contractor Hamilton Construction of Springfield continues work on punch list items. New sidewalk at the west end of Fern Valley Road will connect to the top of the interchange, so pedestrians won’t have to walk along Grove Road to the Home Depot. ODOT Project Manager Tim Fletcher said now is the prime time for landscaping and the beginning of the plant establishment period. Natural Colors Aesthetic features inspired by the
natural colors surrounding Phoenix, the hills and grasses, are incorporated in the Fern Valley Interchange project. The use of concrete form liners and different stains and paints presented opportunities to design a bridge with a local look instead of the drab concrete structures commonly built when I-5 was first constructed. The project team filtered through several designs with the help of Medford landscape architect John Galbraith, before selecting aesthetics for the Fern Valley Road bridges that span I-5 and Bear Creek at Exit 24. New Street Names Some roadways in the project area were renamed. Some Roadways in the project area were renamed. ODOT met with Phoenix officials several years ago to coordinate the changes recommended by emergency service agencies. • North Phoenix Road carries through the overpass from the north to the west side of I-5 and terminates at the Oregon 99 signal across from Ray’s Market. • Fern Valley Road appears only on the east side of I-5, terminating at a culde-sac joined by Pear Tree Lane. • Grove Road replaces South Phoenix Road in the project’s southeast area, extending across Fern Valley Road through the traffic signal near Home Depot before reaching a dead end behind the La-Z-Boy furniture store. Diverging Diamond Design The first Diverging Diamond interchange in the state was approved by the community-based teams to
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‘thread the needle’ between the commercial developments at I-5 Exit 24. Reducing the project footprint also reduced the project’s impact on surrounding businesses and right of way costs. Design History The Fern Valley Interchange had experienced traffic congestion throughout the day, but was much worse during the morning and evening commutes. Existing and proposed development along the east side of I-5, as well as development growth within the Rogue Valley, reduced the interchange’s capacity and caused safety concerns. The project’s design phase began in 2004. After years of public debate and comment, including the weighing of various design alternatives, The Fern Valley Through design alternative was eliminated in 2009 because it would have an adverse impact on nearby farm land. The Project Development Team later unanimously supported the North Phoenix Through build alternative
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as part of the federally-required environmental assessment. A $25 million investment from the 2009 Oregon Jobs and Transportation Act — a funding package based in part on increases in truck weight-mile flat fees, registration fees, road use assessment fees, and heavy vehicle trip permit fees — was the last piece of the Fern Valley Interchange project’s funding puzzle. That same year, the Phoenix Planning Commission and Phoenix City Council approved an Interchange Area Management Plan for I-5 Exit 24. The IAMP is a requirement of the Oregon Transportation Commission, which sets policy for ODOT. In 2012, the ODOT project team collaborated with a consortium of private contractors to develop construction methods best suited for the challenges ahead of this project, such as the close proximity of the new bridge ramps to the existing ramps.
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(Clockwise from top left photo) New features incorporated into the Fern Valley Interchange project improved the safety and livability for all users. (Top right) New coated fencing prevents objects from falling onto the Interstate 5 travel lanes. Instead of a galvanized chain link fence, this choice complements the interchange’s Art Deco design. (Right and above) New sidewalks, crosswalks and bike lanes ensure safe passage through the new interchange. (Center) A new concrete path on the Bear Creek Greenway guides walkers and cyclists under the new bridge. Safety rail allows users a close up view of the water below.
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REST AREA/WELCOME CENTER
PROJECT TO BEGIN SECOND PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION According to ODOT Project Manager Tim Fletcher, work on the first phase of the Siskiyou Rest Area and Welcome Center project is substantially complete. The new facility is being constructed near Interstate 5 milepost 12, about two miles south of Ashland’s Exit 14 and two miles north of the former rest area, which was located on a six-percent downgrade. The old rest area was closed in 1997 for public safety, following a series of commercial truck crashes. Construction on the new rest area began in November 2015. Prime contractor Wildish Standard Paving of Eugene focused on earthwork, paving and drainage during the project’s first phase. The work included grading and paving the Interstate 5 ramps as well as
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construction of the facility’s parking lot, driveways and a service road from Crowson Road that is being used to deliver materials during construction and, later, used for daily operational needs, including staff and deliveries. “All the earth work is finished,” said Fletcher. “The roadways and parking lot still need to be paved with asphalt as weather allows.” The first phase cost $6.3 million. The project’s second phase is scheduled to go to bid in 2017. “The reason we broke the project into two phases was to accommodate a contractor more familiar with building construction than road construction,” said Fletcher. “We also expect to see cost savings as a result of managing two separate contracts.”
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Gateway Design The Siskiyou Safety Rest Area and Welcome Center will serve as a signature destination for northbound travelers, those just needing to stretch their legs and visitors to Oregon wanting to learn more about the state’s tourism opportunities. The project’s second phase will build two Cascadia-themed buildings, which add to the gateway theme for visitors. The environmentally-friendly design and sustainable ethic will match that of the Welcome to Oregon sign at the California border as well as the new interchange aesthetics constructed at Ashland Exits 14 and 19. The city of Ashland will provide potable water and sewer service to the facility. The Talent Irrigation District will provide water for landscaping.
REST AREA continued on page 18
centers have long been “ Welcome recognized as an important
element in a local area’s hospitality and tourism toolkit, and this should be no exception. — Medford-Jackson County Chamber Executive Director Brad Hicks
”
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REST AREA continued from page 17 Tourism Investment More than three million vehicles travel north on I-5 into Oregon each year, with Californians being the state’s main visitors. According to the Oregon Tourism Commission, each dollar spent operating a welcome center equals $41 in visitor spending.
northbound I-5 between Ashland Exits 14 and 19. They will not be permitted to stop at the new rest area.
“Welcome centers have long been recognized as an important element in a local area’s hospitality and tourism tool kit, and this should be no exception,” said Medford-Jackson County Chamber Executive Director Brad Hicks. “Additionally, this facility will help the chamber and our visitor department, Travel Medford, fulfill its goals of enhancing the brand of the Rogue Valley, attracting newcomers, encouraging longer hotel stays, and increasing visitor spending in all of our area’s hospitality industry businesses.”
Service Road Constructed east of the Crowson Road I-5 overpass, the service road is crucial for construction as well as for daily operations. Fletcher said the narrow road, which spans an existing box culvert over Tolman Creek, has accommodated trucks bringing building materials to the job site.
Safety and Enforcement The second phase of construction will also build an office for Oregon State Police troopers patrolling southern Jackson County and the Siskiyou Pass. Commercial trucks are now directed to use newly built restroom facilities at the Ashland Port of Entry located on
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“Separating restroom facilities for commercial trucks and the general public is another safety improvement,” said Fletcher.
Once the project is completed, the service road will be gated. It is designed to provide an entry point for staff, eliminating the need to drive south on I-5 before returning north to access the facility. Emergency service vehicles will access the facility via the service road as well as at an I-5 crossover, which is being constructed as part of the current I-5 barrier project between Ashland and Medford.
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Reach more than 100,000
Rogue Valley residents with
Inserted in the Mail Tribune, Ashland Daily Tidings, The Daily Courier, Rogue River Press, Upper Rogue Independent and the Illinois Valley News. We’re in all the right places, including the DMV, the Medford International Airport, the Medford Visitors Center and the Rogue Valley Transit District.
For more information, call 541-776-4422 odotmovingahead.com
November 11, 2016
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CAVEMAN BRIDGE PROJECT IN 2017 Plans are underway for a two-year $5.3 million rehabilitation project on Caveman Bridge, a critical link across the Rogue River in Grants Pass. Designed by famed Oregon bridge designer Conde McCullough, Caveman Bridge was built in 1931. Next year’s rehabilitation project will be the bridge’s first major makeover. The project is scheduled to begin after Labor Day weekend and be completed by late summer 2018. Caveman Bridge serves as the gateway to the Redwood Empire of southwest Oregon and northern California. The historic gateway sign on the north side of the bridge will also undergo rehabilitation by the city of Grants Pass. The rehabilitation project will: • Repair sections of cracked concrete, exposed rebar and failed joints along the nearly 550-foot structure; • Repair bridge deck delamination by
grinding off the existing asphalt cap and replacing it with a stronger, premixed polymer concrete; • Replace the bridge rail, maintaining its unique aesthetic while meeting today’s safety standards; and • Add new lighting that maintains the character of the bridge’s street lights. “With nearly 19,000 vehicles using Caveman Bridge every day, we understand the importance of minimizing traffic impacts during this rehabilitation project,” said ODOT Project Leader Stephanie Bentea. Daytime single-lane closures with some full nighttime closures are being considered in the project design, which also calls for at least one full-day closure during a critical repair stage. ODOT will host an open house in early 2017 to describe all of the work as well as the traffic delays travelers should expect during construction.
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MORE NIGHTTIME WORK
ON OREGON 62 As construction transitioned from summer to winter, more nighttime work between Poplar Drive and Delta Waters Road is just one of the differences people are experiencing as they travel through the Oregon 62 Expressway project work zone. The $120 million multi-phase project will increase capacity and improve safety along the Crater Lake Highway (Oregon 62) corridor, a critical business connection for commercial freight, tourism and commuters. “The safety concern is higher crash rates at corridor intersections, especially from Interstate 5 to Delta Waters Road,” said ODOT Project Information Specialist Gary Leaming. “The busiest intersection in the Rogue Valley is Oregon 62 and Delta Waters Road. It has traffic numbers higher than those along I-5 north of Medford.”
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Reducing Traffic Impacts Prime contractor Knife River Materials of Central Point is currently replacing curb, gutter and sidewalk along the south side of the Crater Lake Highway. A temporary, multi-use path, located on ODOT-owned property south of the existing sidewalk, allows pedestrian access during this work, which includes new drainage to accommodate highway widening. Project plans require Knife River and its subcontractors to keep two lanes of Oregon 62 open in each direction from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday and from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday. “Our schedule is designed to reduce traffic impacts because the daily volumes on Oregon 62 are so high,” said ODOT Project Manager Fletcher. This is critical during construction of a new (third) travel lane for eastbound motorists on Crater Lake Highway.
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“The Lone Pine Creek and Upton Creek culverts have been replaced with new, fish-friendly passages,” said Fletcher. “The realignment of the Lone Pine Creek culvert near Lava Lanes will permit construction of a new directional interchange across from Hubbard’s Hardware to resume.”
BIG NUMBERS
The Oregon 62 access out of the Delta Center near Starbucks is temporarily closed so work can begin on the new westbound travel lanes, which will be incorporated into the new directional interchange.
To build the 4.5 mile expressway takes soil and building materials such as concrete and steel. Here’s a quick look at some of those quantities for the new roadway from Poplar Drive to Corey Road;
Four-Lane Expressway The project’s second phase goes to bid in December. The second phase continues the new roadway north, spanning Vilas Road with an overpass as
45,300 cubic yards of concrete in roadway25.7 lane miles, 12 feet wide; and
OREGON 62 continued on page 24
461,000 cubic yards of soil moved, enough to fill a football field 216 feet deep;
223 tons of two-inch steel rebar, 126.5 miles, enough to travel from Medford to Eugene.
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OREGON 62 continued from page 23 it follows the Old Medco Haul Road before reconnecting with the existing Oregon 62 corridor near Corey Road. Once the project is completed, through traffic will travel along a 4.5 mile, four-lane expressway on the east side of the Medford Airport. The expressway will cross over Coker Butte and Vilas Roads via an overpass, and connect at a signal to the existing Crater Lake Highway near Corey Road. The multimodal project also constructs sidewalks and transit-related enhancements on the existing Oregon 62 corridor. RVTD Manager Julie Brown said another big advantage of the upcoming expressway for transit riders could be a Bus Rapid Transit route from a park-and-ride in the White City area to or near downtown Medford. “Better access through sidewalks, the possibilities of Park-and-Rides for commuters, and the addition of signal priority will help us get back on schedule,� said Brown.
OREGON 62 continued on page 26
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Fender Benders on Oregon 62 Several intersections along the Oregon 62 corridor between Delta Waters Road and Interstate 5 have higher than normal crash rates. The good news is fender benders are the least serious and most common along the corridor. Traffic flow problems occur when motorists involved in minor crashes don’t move their vehicles out of the travel lanes. “Under the best of circumstances, traffic is typically heavy along the Crater Lake Highway,” said Medford Police Sgt. Don Lane. To address the problem, ODOT placed signs along the Oregon 62 corridor to remind drivers of their responsibilities.
stopped. This is to avoid a secondary collision, as well as to not impede traffic flow. “Minor crashes are defined as when the vehicles are drivable and the people are without injuries,” said ODOT Assistant District Manager Jeremiah Griffin. “In these situations, motorists are required to move their vehicles, either to the highway shoulder or to a nearby parking lot, and away from the travel lanes.” If you are the front car in a collision, motion to the other driver to follow you to a close place where there’s room for both of you to pull over safely. If you’re on the shoulder, stay as far away from moving cars as possible while you assess damage and exchange insurance information.
Fender benders get the name because it is the part of a vehicle that absorbs most of the damage in lower-speed crashes. Fender benders occur when one driver suddenly slams on the brakes, which causes the driver following to collide.
According to Griffin, safety concerns rapidly increase as the stopped vehicles in a fender bender affect traffic along the corridor and cross streets all the way back to the I-5 interchange and off-ramps.
Oregon law requires you to stop after a collision and pull out of any driving lanes, even if the traffic behind you is
“The likelihood of a secondary crash increases with each passing minute,” said Griffin.
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Oregon 62 Corridor Connectivity Corey Rd Fowler Ln Overpass
LANDMARKS
Vilas Rd
11 Costco
Crater L
2 Walmart Hubbard’s
ake Ave
3 Hardware
Rogue Valley 44 Medford Airport
Internati
Overpass
onal Wa y
Commerce Dr Lear Way
14
Coker Butte Rd
Cardinal Ave
11 Owen Dr 12
Delta Waters Rd
13
Wh
Delta Waters Rd
ittl
eR
d
Skypark Dr LANDMARKS
OREGON 62 continued from page 24
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Skypark Dr
* Hilton Ave
Crater Lake Ave
Project Updates Interested in receiving project updates via email? Sign up online: https://goo.gl/hSReOw
Delta Waters
Whittle Rd
“I see the expressway helping to alleviate congestion,” said Brown. “Signal prioritization will help transit deliver services on time.”
Bullock Rd
Signal Prioritization Signal prioritization will allow bus drivers, when running behind due to congestion, to change upcoming traffic signals to the green phase, thus putting them back on schedule and reducing time the bus sits in traffic.
Roadways Open During Construction
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