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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-48 Supporting Consensus View RESOLUTION NO. pCi-lr A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CONSENSUS VIEW PRESENTED IN A JOINT LETTER TO THE OREGON TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION FROM THE LOCAL GOVEF~MENT ENTITIES OF JACKSON AND JOSEPHINE COUNTIES AND AUTHORIZING 'THE MAYOR TO SIGN SAID LETTER ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND. WHEREAS, the City of Ashland has an interest in the surface transportation network in the region, including Jackson and Josephine counties; and WHEREAS, the City of Ashland recognizes that State highways playa major role in said transportation network; and WHEREAS, the Oregon State Highway Division is embarking on an effort to obtain local government input for its "1991-96 Six-Year Highway Improvement Program"; and WHEREAS, the City has joined other entities in Jackson and Josephine counties in providing consistent input to said Six-Year Highway Improvement Program through the Jackson/Josephine Transportation Committee. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND: 1. The City of Ashland supports the consensus view presented in a joint letter and related materials to the Oregon Transporta1:ion Commission, hereto attached as Exhibit "A". 2. The City of Ashland hereby authorizes the Mayor to sign said joint letter on behalf of the City. The foregoing Resolution was READ and DULY ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Ashland on the fl(!e:-//',-/~{.---<c-' 19 ,,\(;/ . ___ r~L /L/ - day of ,--~~'-, .J /~/ /)' ~' -"' ",_' IL-t-f" l~"'J!.i<-;r---""'J.c-" , . /<- ~4 pL. Nan E. Franklin, City Recorder SIGNED and APPROVED this ~/'~~ day of ;1 / d ,'!./j[ eA> I ,)C-~<-L- 2:/ , 19 5l- c~~~~ Catherine M. Golden, Mayor Jf;lJ 4 .. 10BB STATE TRANSPORTATION . COMMISSION INPUT FOR PROPOSED 6 - YEAR PLAN MARCH 2, 1988 FROM JACKSON COUNTY CITY OF JACKSONVILLE CITY OF MEDFORD CITY OF ASHLAND CITY OF PHOENIX CITY OF BUTTE FALLS CITY OF ROGUE ~VER CITY OF CENTRAL P~NT CITY OF SHADY COVE CITY OF EAGLE POINT CITY OF TALENT CITY OF GOLD HILL OREGON DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Transportation Building Salem, OR 97310 ATTENTION: Transportation Corr~ission RE: Six-Year Highway Improvement Program Dear Commissioners: The following is presented as a consensus vIew of the local governments of Jackson County regarding the Oregon State Highway Division's JUly, 1988 Six-Year Highway Improvement Program. The local transportation network is very dependent on the inter-tie with. State Highways. Several deficiencies in this network are evident and local government is counting on the State Highway Division to correct those which are on the State system. Without the State's assistance there is little more that local government can do to improve on the network problems we have in Jackson County. This network is vital to the area's tourism and other economic strategies. In establishing our priorities, which we have limited to two:in order to emphasize their importance, we have considered the major deficiencies in the State system that create local network problems. In order, our priorities are: 1) the jursidictional exchange of McAndrews Road and OR-238 and 2) the reconstruction of both phases of the Central Point/I-5 interchange at Pine Street. These projects are discussed in more detail further on in this letter. Also listed are several more deficiencies as well as our proposed general strategies and timetables for their correction. These are categorized by highway number. Subheadings under each highway indicate the recommended timetable. The deficiencies/strategies are numbered consecutively and are identified on the enclosed map by number. INTERSTATE 5 0-5.Years 1. Reconstruct the Central Point (Pine Street) interchange. This reconstruction has been on the Six-Year Plan since 1982 and was once scheduled for construction in 1985. Several frustrating delays have been experienced due to perplexing design problems. Local government has reacted positively to the latest proposal by the Highway Division to relocate Freeman Road, thereby removing a major obstacle. Further delays of this project will result in serious safety concerns and frequent deterioration in service level to the "F" category. This project has been identified as the number two priority in Jackson County. I NTEB$T~TE_.2~Qn t ipgggl 2. Reconstruct the North Medford interchange. This is an extremely awkward and busy intersection with complex design problems. During rush hours-traffic exiting I-5 to OR-62 sometimes backs. up onto the freeway. Reconstruction of this interchange is required now. It is unfortunate that this project has not been proposed by the Highway Division in the past because delays inherent in the six-year planning process will no doubt postpone completion of this project to the mid or late 1990's when safety hazards are likely to be extreme. 5-15 YeFJ"2 3. Construct a new interchange at Mountain Avenue in Ashland. Presently traffic bound for downtown Ashland traverses OR-99. The new interchange is needed to relieve pressure on this congested highway. 4. Upgrade the I-5 viaduct through Medford to meet current federal interstate standards. This section of freeway often experiences ice and fog which contribute to the already dangerous condition of the viaduct. nevo!lQJ2-'yg~.r!? 5. Construct a new interchange at Jackson Street in Medford to reduce loading on OR-99 and Biddle Road and more efficiently move traffic bound for or returning from downtown Medford. OREGON 14Q 0-5 Years 6. Extend OR-140 from its present terminus at OR-62 to I-5. This extension would provide a vital economic link to the ~lhite City industrial area and to the recreation areas of Klamath and Jackson counties. Presently traffic from I-5 to White City and the mountain recreation areas must use the north Medford Interchange to reach OR-62 then travel north on a highly congested portion of OR-62 to reach OR-140. Oregon State Highway Division projections are that average daily traffic on OR-62 will reach 50,000 vehicles by the year 2005. This new route would reduce congestion on OR-62 and have immediate positive impacts on air quality, highway safety, tourism, and industry. -2- OREGQ!LQ1. 0-5 Y~9..rP 7. Complete the neceSsary reconstruction between OR-234 and the City of Shady Cove. This project has been contemplated for a number of years to correct the dangerous curves and narrow shoulders on OR-62, a highly traveled and significant corridor in Jackson County. One project in this vicinity will be started during the 1988 construction season. It is important locally that the remainder be completed as soon as possible. 8. Reconstruct the highway between Trail and Casey State Park. This project is presently programmed for Federal F.Y. 87. Every effort should be made to keep it on schedule. 9. Widen to four lanes the existing two lanes between White City and OR-234. In 1987 alone there have been 30 injury accidents and 2 fatalities in this five mile section according to the local ambulance service. 10. Install a signal at the Delta Waters Road intersection. 11. Construct a 'half-interchange at Crater Lake Avenue. This project is part of a jurisdictional exchange project involving McAndrews Road and OR-238, which has been proposed by Jackson County and the City of Medford. 5-15 Yg~LE 12. The section of OR-62 between 1-5 and Vilas Road is becoming very heavily traveled. The Oregon State Highway Division estimates traffic on this corridor ,at 50,000 A.D.T. by the year 2005. The corridor is zoned commercial but access control is substandard. Reconnaissance of this route would be helpful to the State Highway Division and local officials in terms of developing a plan to accommodate anticipated loadings. It is proposed that this be included in the 1989-94 plan as a reconnaissance project. OREGON 2.lf! 0-5 Years 13. Exchange jurisdiction with Medford and Jackson County to make McAndrews Road the new OR-238 and construct a new section of highway between McAndrews Road and OR-230. This project is made possible by the recent construction of a major railroad yard overcrossing by local government and was proposed during the last -3- OREGON_238 (Continued) six-year planning process. It was re-proposed by the City of Medford and Jackson County as part of a package of improvements to the local network in January, 1987. It has been identified as the number one priority in Jackson County. 14. Straighten the curves in the vicinity of Hanley Road. These curves are very dangerous and have resulted in 29 injuries and one fatality between 1980 and 1986. 15. Make safety improvements including signing, traffic markers, lighting, and shoulder widening between Jacksonville and Cady Road. There were 31 injuries and 1 fatality in this vicinity between 1980 and 1986. 5 to 15 Years 16. Construct a bypass around Jacksonville to relieve traffic on the main street of this historic city, a major tourist attraction of southern Oregon. This project is recommended for reconnaissance in the 1989-94 plan. OREGON 9~ 0-5 Years 17. Improve the highway between Phoenix and Ashland. 18. Improve the highway between Medford and Central Point. 19. Construct a left turn lane at Maple Street in Ashland. This is a high priority for the City of Ashland. 20. Rehabilitate the signal at Wightman Street in Ashland. 21. Install a signal at Walker Avenue in Ashland. 22. Reconstruct the portion of this highway through the City of Medford. Beyond 15 Years 23. Construct a west side bypass around Medford including a new interChange in the vicinity of South Stage Road. This bypass would provide improved access to Jacksonville and reducE~ loading on OR-99 through Medford. Local governments would consider a proposal to assume jurisdiction of OR-99 between bypass terminal points. This project shOUld be considered for reconnaissance in the 1989-94 plan. -4- OREGON 66 No improvements are recommended for c~nsideration in this six-year program. -----------.--.-----. OREGQN 22.1 No improvements are recommended for consideration in this six-year program. However, thought should be given to a future jurisdictional exchange with Jackson County. This highway is presently maintained by Douglas County between Canyonville and the Jackson County line. OREGO~ 230 No improvements are recommended for consideration in this six-year program. .--.-.-.---- ----.. Considerable discussion among the local entities regarding prioritization has taken place. Setting priorities is a difficult process, not just because some projects are n€~cessarily at the bottom of the list, but because there are so many factors to be considered. For instance a small project might easily be funded but not be as important locally as a more expensive project. Another factor which local governments have difficulty in assessing is the available revenue source for certain projects. We would not want the State Highway Division to discount projects for which funds are available simply because they have not received a high priority from the local government entities. Recognizing that the State Highway Division is in the best position to know which projects are fundable and which funding sources are the most appropriate for a given project, we still feel compelled to suggest the most important projects, from a local perspective, arranged by funding category. The following list of projects is secondary to our previously stated two highest priorities: FUtIDING_CAT~GORY fROJECT Interstate 4-R Reconstruction of the North Medford Interchange State Modernization Extension of OR-140 from OR-62 at White City to 1-5 at the Seven Oaks Interchange Completion of the widening and safety improvements on OR-62 between White City and Shady Cove Federal Aid Primary -5- .' . FUNDING CATEfORY PBQ.JEGT Hazard Elimination Straighten OR-238 near Ranley Road and make safety improveruents on OR-238 near Cady Road Access Highways to Lakes Widen and straighten OR-62 from Trail to Casey State Park HIGl!Wl\X-1L~):QGE .~!!PLACEM~NT PRQGRAM With the exception of Medford and Jackson County no other jurisdicti.ons are presently participating in the HBR program. We understand that this program is likely to experience significant funding cuts, thereby delaying projects which have been proposed over the past five years. Two bridges which are significant to the local transportation network are the Main Street Bridge in Medford and the Bybee Bridge on Table Rock Road across the Rogue River. 1'1e hope that consideration will be given' to funding both of these bridges in the near future because of their significance locally. Especially important is the Main Street Bridge. This bridge was funded for construction in 1988, but was postponed by the Highway Division without any input from the City of Medford. We urge that this bridge be funded for construction in program year 1989. SUMMbRY The above recommendations represent the consensus view of the Jackson County political subdivisions. Our emphasis in making these recommendations has been the relationship of the projects to the safety and efficiency of the local traffic network. The State Highway Division plays a vital role in nearly all local transportation networks and it is only through the State's cooperation with local entities that government can meet the needs of Or~gonians. This is especially true in Jackson County and we urge the State's consideration of our recommendations in order to meet the needs of our population. Finally, the Six-Year Plan process is a good method of obtaining input from the users of State highways. In order to maintain the viability of the process it is our strong recommendation that the State meet the committments that have been made in previous plans and that the St~te seriously consider local transportation network needs in developing the plan. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. -6-