Moving Ahead - Spring 2015

Page 12

OREGON 62 EXPRESSWAY PROJECT

Project team works design details

Anticipation is building for the official start of the $120 million Oregon 62 Expressway project, one of the largest transportation projects in southern Oregon history. According to ODOT Area Manager Art Anderson, the project team is working on last-minute details for the Coker Butte crossing redesign that involves work with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport. “The right of way process is always the critical path to the project package,” said Anderson. “We anticipate getting this project advertised for construction bidders and underway later this year.” Utility relocations along the Oregon 62 corridor have dominated much of the preparation work over the past year. Most of that work was completed at night to reduce impacts to traffic. Rogue Valley Sewer Service and other utility relocations are currently taking place on airport property, signaling the first phase of the construction project.

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April 10, 2015

“Utility work is still a construction zone with a definite work area where drivers need to pay attention,” said Senior Inspector Shawn Daw. Congestion and safety The Oregon 62 Expressway project is a multimodal solution that will increase capacity and improve safety along the corridor, a critical business connection for freight, tourism and commuters. Unfortunately, the Crater Lake Highway (Oregon 62) exceeds capacity standards. Future growth is expected to significantly increase traffic volumes. “Higher crash rates at corridor intersections, especially from I-5 to Delta Waters Road, are a safety concern,” said ODOT Public Information Officer Gary Leaming. “Oregon 62 and Delta Waters Road is the busiest intersection in the entire southwest Oregon region. The traffic counts are higher than those at I-5 north of Medford.” The multimodal project adds sidewalks and transit-related

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