South Medford Interchange project
wraps up
On pace to finish well ahead of the project’s scheduled October 2010 completion date, prime contractor Wildish Standard Paving of Eugene is finishing up the landscaping around the new interchange as well as clean-up work. The South Medford Interchange project’s final milestone occurred on Jan. 12 when the Barnett Road-Bear Creek Bridge opened to traffic following a six-month closure. The $1.7 million structure was the last of 11 bridges constructed within the four-year, $72 million project.
The Barnett Road closure significantly impacted six local businesses – the Black Bear Restaurant and Best Western Inn on the south side of the road and the Dairy Queen, Motel 6, Days Inn and Travel Lodge on the north side of the road.
ODOT brought in Barbara Findlay Schenck, a national marketing expert and published author of Small Business Marketing for Dummies, Business Plans Kit for Dummies, Branding for Dummies and Selling Your Business for Dummies, to meet with the local business owners.
Current federal flood requirements “That was one of the first times these called for the new bridge to be built six businesses met together as a marwith a higher elevation to keep bridge keting group,” said Tom Hawkins, ownsupports out of the 100-year floodway. er of the Dairy Queen on Barnett Road. To meet that requirement, the Barnett “There were some good ideas that Road-Bear Creek Bridge features ‘moncame out of that meeting…and I found ster’ beams – each of the 15 beams it worthwhile.” measure 172 feet in length, seven-andWe wanted to recognize ODOT added a-half feet in height signage along the and weigh more the great partnership we have detour routes to dithan 86 tons – the rect motorists to the largest pre-cast, with the City of Medford. businesses. The Medbridge beams of ford Area Chamber the more than 200 This partnership has of Commerce led a used throughout the ‘Buy Barnett’ marketSouth Medford Interdone great things. ing effort during the change project. six-month bridge ODOT Area Manager Art Anderson closure to comple“There was a lot of ment ODOT’s inforbehind-the-scenes mation campaign. work and planning involved in delivering these 15 monster “The project was long for us but during beams,” said ODOT Project Manager the holidays we could look out at the Joe Thomas. “Due to their length, the construction workers on the bridge beams had to be directed east down and knew it would be open soon,” said Barnett Road before the crew could Grace Grueso, manager of the Black back them in to the work site.” Bear Diner. In addition to meeting federal flood Grueso and Hawkins both spoke at a requirements, the larger bridge features ribbon-cutting event sponsored by the sidewalks and bike lanes. Chamber last January. Barnett Road was closed between Alba “We knew the businesses struggled Drive and Highland Drive to through during the 180-day bridge closure,” traffic for six months during the bridge said ODOT spokesman Gary Leaming, replacement stage. Wildish Standard “but we were optimistic that, once Paving replaced the bridge and rebuilt Barnett reopened, business would the roadway. come roaring back.”
“
”
20
odotmovingahead.com
April 23, 2010