ODOT | September 23, 2016 | A Mail Tribune Advertising Department Publication
Oregon 62 Expressway
Bear Creek Bridges Fall Car Care Month
Fern Valley Interchange
Caveman Bridge
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ROGUE VALLEY BUSINESS RESOURCE FORUM OCT. 22 Small business owners can tap into free information including industry and trade seminars, consultations, and other key resources at the 14th Annual Rogue Valley Business Resource Forum. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22 at the RCC/SOU Higher Education Center, 101 Bartlett Street in Medford. Admission is free. Pre-registration and same-day registration is available and you can register online. A light breakfast and lunch is provided. Business and government agencies will staff booths in Exhibitors Hall, including the Certification Office for
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
Business Inclusion and Diversity and ODOT. “The private and public resources available at the forum can really help small business owners become more successful,” said ODOT Civil Rights Field Coordinator Christie Meacham. “Each year we’ve participated has been a rewarding experience as we connect and support more and more Oregon business owners.” More information about the Rogue Valley Business Resource Fair is online at roguebizforum.com.
CONTRIBUTORS Bret Jackson Publication Supervisor Steve Johnson Photography Brian Fitz-Gerald Illustration Sally Ridenour, Shonna Zimmermann Editing
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.
The Fall Car Care Month cover artwork and story was created with the generous assistance of the following local businesses. We want to thank them for their help and support with this safety message. Mike Drake’s Alignment & Brake 2404 W Main St, Medford • (541)618-8783
Medford Radiator Services 999 Crews Rd, Medford • (541)772-0816
Ken Scales Automotive 1101 Court St, Medford • (541)772-6736
Quality Tire 900 S Front St, Central Point • (541)770-6827
Medford Radiator Services 999 Crews Rd, Medford • (541)772-0816
Safelite AutoGlass 12 W Jackson St, Medford • (877)664-8932
AAA Medford Service Center 1777 E Barnett Rd, Medford • (541)779-7170
Larry Nicholson, State Farm Insurance 1380 Biddle Rd, Medford • (541)772-3233
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OREGON 62 EXPRESSWAY Drivers, businesses endure construction on busy highway With the first summer of construction on the Oregon 62 Expressway project in the rear view mirror, ODOT Project Manager Tim Fletcher wants the smooth start to continue as construction progresses along Crater Lake Highway from Interstate 5 to Delta Waters Road.
“Drivers have done well so far negotiating our traffic switches during the Lone Pine Creek box culvert replacement,” said Fletcher. “Traffic switches will continue to a lesser degree this fall and winter as construction continues on the directional interchange.”
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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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continued from page 5 After prime contractor Knife River Materials of Central Point replaces the Lone Pine Creek box culvert located in front of Lava Lanes, the project focus will ramp up on the directional interchange and widening the south side of Crater Lake Highway. Construction of a new multi-use path, located on ODOT-owned property south of the existing sidewalk, allows the contractor to tear out the old south side curb line so construction can begin on a third travel lane with new curbs, gutters and sidewalk. Left Turns Eliminated According to Fletcher, left turns from Crater Lake Highway and from the Skypark Drive intersection west to Poplar and Bullock Roads will be removed by the end of fall. “We’ve eliminated several left turns to improve safety on Crater Lake Highway,” said Fletcher. “That work
will continue west toward Poplar Drive and Bullock Road this fall. Removing these left turns will help reduce the crash rate.” Oregon 62 exceeds its capacity standards. Future growth is expected to significantly increase traffic. The $120 million multimodal solution, which underwent more than a decade of planning, will increase capacity and improve safety along the Crater Lake Highway corridor, a critical business connection for freight, tourism and commuters. “The safety concern is higher crash rates at corridor intersections, especially from I-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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Businesses located along Crater Lake Highway continue to weather the construction, which led to several access changes.
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2 Best Buy 3 Hubbard’s Hardware 4 Lava Lanes
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5
Sportman’s 45 Warehouse Bullock Rd
46 Safeway
Rogue Valley 47 Medford Airport
Delta Waters 4 3
Skypark Dr
2
Not to scale
Crater Lake Ave
Hilton Ave
Whittle Rd
“We know the highway needs to be upgraded for safety, but we’re obviously concerned that customers will continue to find us and shop with us,” said Bob Seus, owner of Hubbard’s Hardware.
LANDMARKS 1 Fred Myers Costco
1
Corona Ave
dle
Bid
Reducing Traffic Impacts Project plans require Knife River and its Morrow Rd 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. Rd
Poplar Dr
Roberts Rd
“Our construction schedule is designed to reduce traffic impacts because the daily volumes on Oregon 62 are so high,” said Fletcher. During later construction phases, the Oregon 62 access near Starbucks will close for several months so roadwork can begin on the new westbound travel lanes, which will be incorporated into a new directional interchange. “The closure of the access near Starbucks is integral to hauling material into the work site,” said Fletcher. “When this construction phase is complete, westbound traffic will travel up and over the directional
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interchange and the original access will reopen.” Four-Lane Expressway The project’s second phase, scheduled to bid later this year, will continue the new roadway north. The road will span Vilas Road with an overpass as it follows the Old Medco Haul Road before connecting 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 Vilas Road via an overpass, and connect to the existing Crater Lake Highway near Corey Road. The multimodal project also constructs sidewalks and transit-
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related enhancements on the existing Oregon 62 corridor. According to RVTD Manager Julie Brown, the biggest 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 an unspecified location in 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.
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ROCK PILES PROTECT BEAR CREEK BRIDGES To the whimsical eye, the rock piles that appeared near the Bear Creek Bridges at Medford’s Interstate 5 Exit 30 might have been the movie set for a live-action Flintstones sequel.
flood, following surveys of I-5 bridges in the Rogue Valley.
Using ODOT-owned property as a staging area, the $2 million project strategically placed rock of various sizes around the supports, where However, ODOT District Manager some are grouted or cemented Jerry Marmon is quick to dispel into place. According any Hollywood rumors as to ODOT Project the Bedrock City-sized Manager Ted Paselk, piles of rock were the process is designed to reinThe rock around engineered to force the twin I-5 obtain maximum spans in case of the bridge footings protection for a catastrophic was undersized and the bridges flood. wouldn’t protect the while ensuring These Bear the rocks don’t bridge during the next Creek Bridges raise the water major flood. were built in level in Bear — ODOT District Manager Jerry Marmon 1961, when Creek. I-5 first opened. “The project was Bridge inspections scheduled for the since have shown vulsummer, when the creek nerability to floods. level is low,” said Paselk. “It is “The rock around the bridge footings important this project doesn’t affect was undersized and wouldn’t protect neighboring properties when the the bridge during the next major creek level comes back up in the flood,” said Marmon. “If we lose the winter.” bridges, we lose a major connection The project also took into account for West Coast freight.” the adjacent Bear Creek Greenway These two bridges were identified as to ensure the path remained open the highest risk to fail during a major during the busy summer months.
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SISKIYOU REST AREA
First construction phase nears completion Prime contractor Wildish Standard Paving is nearly finished with the first phase for the Siskiyou Rest Area and Welcome Center project being constructed two miles south of Ashland‘s Interstate 5 Exit 14. “The project is really starting to take shape,” said ODOT Project Manager Tim Fletcher. “The ramps, the roads and parking area are becoming more defined as the rock base is added.” The first phase is scheduled for completion this year, when the roads and ramps will be paved and prepped for the second phase, constructing the main buildings of the rest area facility. Construction work on I-5 that required a northbound lane closure for several months this past summer is completed as well. ODOT scheduled the work to ensure all lanes are open on and around the Siskiyou Pass during the winter.
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 for Tolman Creek, accommodates trucks hauling rock and other materials. The service road’s concrete retaining walls were constructed last spring. Once completed, the service road will be gated. It is designed to provide an entry for staff and emergency services at the rest area and welcome center, eliminating the need for staff to drive south on I-5 before returning north to access the facility. Emergency service vehicles will also be able to access the facility via an I-5 crossover.
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History The development of a replacement I-5 rest area spans three decades. The previous rest area closed in 1997 for public safety, following a series of crashes that involved commercial trucks. The previous rest area was located on a 6-percent grade. Commercial trucks are now directed to use newly built restroom facilities at the Ashland Port of Entry located on northbound I-5 between Ashland Exits 14 and 19. “Separating restroom facilities for commercial trucks and the general public is another safety improvement,” said Fletcher. Gateway Design The new rest area and welcome center will serve as a safety destination for northbound visitors. Two Cascadiathemed buildings will add to the facility’s gateway design, which matches the environmentally-friendly sustainable look of the Welcome to Oregon sign as well as new interchange aesthetics improvements that were incorporated into bridge projects at Ashland Exits 14 and 19. The second phase of construction will add an outdoor kiosk, restrooms, picnic tables and an office for Oregon State Police troopers patrolling southern Jackson County and the Siskiyou Pass.
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The construction project is scheduled for completion in early 2018. Tourism Investment “The welcome center, co-located with the rest area and operated by Travel Oregon, will be a local, regional and statewide economic generator,” said ODOT Area Manager Art Anderson. Local and state tourism officials are looking forward to project completion. “The project will serve as the gateway to Oregon,” said Travel Oregon CEO Todd Davidson. “The new facility will help enhance and inspire the journey of those returning to Oregon or visiting our state for the first time. “Oregon tourism is a $10.3 billion industry. Opening a welcome center at such a significant entry point to the state will help drive economic growth.” More than three million vehicles travel north on I-5 into Oregon each year. According to the Oregon Tourism Commission, each dollar spent operating a welcome center equals $41 in visitor spending. “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.
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Y O U R T I M E T O P R E PA R E Winter will be here before we know it. October is nationally recognized as Fall Car Care Month by the non-profit Car Care Council, which provides consumer education promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair. Make sure you and your vehicles are ready for wet pavement and even snow and icy driving conditions,” said AAA Oregon/Idaho Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds. “Prepare your vehicles for colder temperatures and hazardous road conditions, and take it easy behind the wheel.” Getting your vehicle ready for winter while temperatures are still mild is a proactive approach to preventive maintenance that helps ensure safety, reliability and fewer unexpected repairs when severe winter weather strikes. The Car Care Council’s free online guide at www. carcare.org includes information on service interval schedules, questions to ask your technician and how to increase your vehicle’s fuel economy to save money on gas. Whenever Mother Nature brings freezing temperatures and precipitation, the number of calls
for roadside assistance can spike. The most common problems in cold weather are dead batteries, frozen locks and vehicle extrications. “During a snow event, we can easily receive two to three times the normal number of calls,” adds Dodds. Before heading out, visit TripCheck. com (or call 511) for the latest road conditions and incident information, especially if you are driving over mountain passes. “Every winter in Southern Oregon, we read or hear about a terrible situation that might have been preventable had folks been better prepared,” said Larry Nicholson, State Farm Agent. “Even on a relatively short trip, you can find yourself stranded for several hours.” Steve Fox, Director of Automotive Services for AAA Oregon/Idaho, offers these tips to help you face winter driving conditions. Car Preparation Be sure the battery is fully charged; check all fluid levels, including antifreeze; check ignition wiring; be sure all lights operate properly; be sure
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Car Care Checklist AAA suggests inspecting the following items for winter driving: OIL Change your engine oil and oil filter at the intervals recommended by your car’s manufacturer.
ENGINE PERFORMANCE Have engine drivability problems corrected as soon as possible at a reputable repair shop.
COOLING SYSTEM Flush and refill the cooling system with factory approved coolant at the interval specified by the manufacturer. (A 50/50 mix of coolant and water is usually recommended.) WINDSHIELD WIPERS Replace worn wiper blades and fill windshield washer system with winter formula solvent. If your climate is harsh, purchase beamtype or rubber-clad wiper blades that help prevent ice build-up.
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continued from page 13 tires and brakes are in good condition; and be sure the windshield wipers and washer work properly.
HEATER/DEFROSTER Check for proper system operation to ensure driver visibility and occupant comfort. Replace cabin air filter (where used) at intervals specified by your car’s manufacturer.
Winter Driving Kit In emergencies, the following items are invaluable: tire chains, abrasive material such as sand or kitty litter, a small shovel, a flashlight, an ice scraper, rags or paper towels, blankets, flares or other warning devices, and booster cables. Pack bottled water and some snacks, such as energy bars. Be sure your mobile phone is fully charged.
BATTERY Batteries typically last three to five years, and failures are common in winter due to increased cold-starting electrical loads. If your battery is more than three years old, have it tested by a professional. Drive Smart LIGHTS Inspect all lights and replace any burned out bulbs. Have badly weathered plastic headlight lenses restored for better visibility and increased safety.
EXHAUST SYSTEM Engine exhaust contains deadly carbon monoxide gas. Have your vehicle’s exhaust system examined for leaks, and the trunk and floorboards inspected for small holes. TIRES Have your tires rotated every 5,000–7,500 miles and check the pressure once a month when the tires are cold. If you live in a harsh winter environment consider a set of dedicated snow tires.
Know what type of braking system you have and how to apply brakes properly (for example, don’t pump anti-lock brakes); make gentle stops and starts to prevent skids; Many newer vehicles have traction control systems. Use Common Sense Let family members or friends know your travel plans, including destination, route, and expected time of arrival so they can alert authorities if you don’t make it to your destination. Don’t blindly follow your GPS. If it directs you to a road that doesn’t look maintained or well-travelled, turn around!
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SHADY COVE PREPARES FOR
community enhancement project A $2.7 million community enhancement project that repaves Oregon 62 through Shady Cove will include a number of roadway safety improvements. The project, which extends north from the Rogue River Bridge to Cleveland Street in Shady Cove, is scheduled to begin construction after the Labor Day weekend in 2017 and wrap up before Memorial Day weekend in 2018. “The construction schedule was adjusted to accommodate Shady Cove’s summer tourism season,” said ODOT Project Information Specialist Gary Leaming. “Some utility relocation work will occur in the spring and summer but the bulk of the construction won’t start until after Labor Day.” In addition to a new roadway surface, the project will build: • Curb, gutter and sidewalks on the river side of Oregon 62 from the Rogue River Bridge to the north side of Chase Bank; • Curb, gutter and sidewalks on the west side of Oregon 62 from Chaparral Drive north to Cleveland Street; • Marked crosswalks and rapid flashing beacons north of Rogue River Drive and between Chaparral Drive and Williams Lane;
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• Bike lanes, sidewalks, and a continuous, two-way, left-turn lane on Oregon 62; and • A right-turn lane from Rogue River Drive onto southbound Oregon 62. According to ODOT Project Leader Richard Randleman, Jackson County is contributing project funds for the right-turn lane from Rogue River Drive. Project Planning An initial scoping meeting and briefing to the Shady Cove Chamber of Commerce occurred in 2012. The project has since been in various stages of design with a constant eye toward keeping construction impacts to a minimum. City leaders collaborated with ODOT to add community enhancements and feature that would appeal to the recreational motorists traveling to the upper Rogue River and Crater Lake. “With the city leaders’ vision, the project team decided it made sense to seek funds specifically targeted for bicyclists and pedestrians,” said Leaming. “The community need is apparent to keep people, especially children walking to school, off the highway and shoulders.” More project information is available online at the project website.
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LEGISLATORS IDENTIFY LOCAL TRANSPORTATION NEEDS
Oregon State Sen. Betsy Johnson (D –Scappoose) and Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) talk during the Rogue Valley tour last month by the Joint Interim Committee on Transportation Preservation and Modernization.
The Rogue Valley Area Commission on Transportation hosted the Oregon Legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation Preservation and Modernization on August 31. The visit was part of the statewide summer tour the committee announced last May to discuss state and local transportation needs with community leaders and the public across Oregon. The 14-member committee held its first meeting at Oregon State Capitol in Salem before embarking on a
statewide tour. The August 31 tour was hosted by the Rogue Valley Area Commission on Transportation at the Inn at the Commons in Medford. The local tour included visits to the Rogue Valley Transit District, the Phoenix Main Street project on Oregon 99, the Fern Valley Interchange on Interstate 5, and the Oregon 62 Expressway project. After the tour, the committee held a twohour public hearing at the Medford Branch of the Jackson County Library. “These meetings will give our committee members an opportunity to listen to Oregonians from across the state identify local transportation needs, and to build support for a comprehensive plan that will keep our economy moving and build a brighter future for Oregon,” said committee co-chair Rep. Caddy McKeown (D-Coos Bay).
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SMOOTHER, SAFER RIDE
ON U.S. 199
While a summer of nighttime paving from Applegate River Bridge to Slate Creek is finished on the Redwood Highway (U.S. 199), there’s more work ahead before the project is scheduled for completion.
way, left-turn lane. The city of Cave Junction supported the design, which added bicycle lanes on both sides of the highway and improved pedestrian access along a half-mile section inside the city limits.
The Redwood Highway experiences Over the past two summers, 21 one of the larger seasonal increases miles of open-graded asphalt on in traffic compared to other Oregon U.S. 199 was replaced with a dense highways, averaging as much as grade mix of asphalt that created 9,100 vehicles per day throughout the a smoother ride. In addition to the year and rising to more than 11,000 paving work, the projects replaced vehicles per day during the failing culverts, widened summer. highway shoulders and added many safety The section of the improvements Redwood Highway along the corridor. from Grants Pass Drivers now Many of the crashes we to Cave Junction have center line respond to on Redwood has a higherrumble strips, than-normal Highway are due to guardrail that crash rate for meets today’s drivers making poor rural interstate safety standards decisions... highways in and new ADA Oregon with ramps at three — OSP Lieutenant Jeff Fitzgerald many of the crashes intersections in involving drivers Cave Junction. who run off the road, especially at night. A new right-turn lane for westbound traffic was “Many of the crashes we respond added at the intersection of Redwood to on Redwood Highway are due to Highway and Round Prairie Road. drivers making poor decisions, such as driving too fast, driving while The 2015 project included a lane distracted and driving while under conversion in Cave Junction, reducing the influence of intoxicants,” said OSP the number of traffic lanes from four Lieutenant Jeff Fitzgerald. to three and including a new two-
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I-5 PROJECT ADDS CABLE BARRIER FROM ASHLAND TO MEDFORD With the nighttime paving wrapped up along an eight-mile section of Interstate 5 (MP 19 to 27), project work is focused on applying permanent striping and rumble strips and adding safety cable barrier from Ashland to Medford. Prime contractor Rocky Mountain Construction of Klamath Falls started the $5.9 million project in June. The paving work was scheduled from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to avoid higher traffic volumes from summer vacation travel. “Drivers are experiencing a smoother ride from Ashland to Medford with the new dense grade asphalt,” said ODOT Project Manager Tim Fletcher. “From what we hear, it’s made a big difference.” Last paved in 2003, the asphalt along this section of I-5 had gradually become rough and rutted as it reached the end of its design life. According to Fletcher, ODOT directed a rehabilitation project several years ago as part of the agency’s preventative maintenance program to maximize the service life of the highway. The paving work in the Fern Valley Interchange project area was completed prior to this project. “This grind/inlay project replaced the existing open graded asphalt mix with
a denser mix, which is designed to wear better and give a better ride,” said Fletcher. Cable Barrier The project will construct cable barrier between northbound and southbound I-5 from Exit 11 north to Medford. This will be the last stage of work because it isn’t weather dependent like paving and permanent striping. “Compared to concrete barrier or regular guardrail, the three strands of cable barrier act like a rubber band,” said ODOT District Manager Jerry Marmon. “It’s less expensive to build, it’s easier to repair, and it’s proven to prevent catastrophic crossover crashes.” According to Marmon, the section of cable barrier struck the most in the Rogue Valley is located on I-5 north of Gold Hill. Southbound travelers have missed the curve near milepost 44 and struck the barrier multiple times. ODOT worked closely with emergency service providers, including local fire departments, law enforcement and Mercy Flights to strategically place I-5 crossovers, which reduce the time needed to access the opposite direction of the interstate versus driving to the next interchange.
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FERN VALLEY INTERCHANGE
landscaping work starting
The $72 million Fern Valley Interchange project is nearly complete at Interstate 5 Exit 24 in Phoenix. This past month has been busy with final asphalt paving along Oregon 99 and the new North Phoenix Road west of the Bear Creek Bridge. Work currently underway includes the opening of the permanent northbound off-ramp, widening and base paving on Oregon 99 and Bolz Road, and final striping. Construction work still to come includes final paving on the west side of the interchange, new traffic signals and the opening of the Bear Creek Bridge. The project is scheduled for completion this year. “The project is in its final stages. Along with the punch list items, this is prime time for landscaping and the beginning of the plant establishment period,” said ODOT Project Manager Tim Fletcher. Coming down to the wire, the main focus has been on the west side of the project, along Oregon 99 with final asphalt paving, the Bear Creek Bridge and Greenway connections. Work continues on the Fern Valley Road
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area near the Petro truck stop and Peterbuilt shops. “ODOT has made it a priority to keep the Bear Creek Greenway connected during the construction project,” said Jackson County Greenway Coordinator Jenna Marmon. “The Greenway has about 400 daily users.” In addition to the roadwork, the 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 traffic signal. “We know our community is construction weary,” said Phoenix Mayor Jeff Bellah.”With the interchange project, and then our community projects, including the work we did on Main Street, we’ll be glad when the construction is finished.” New Street Names Once the project is complete, different names will appear on some project area roadways. ODOT met with Phoenix officials and emergency service representatives several years ago to coordinate the changes.
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• North Phoenix Road will carry through the overpass from the north to the west side of I-5 and terminate at the Oregon 99 signal across from Ray’s Market.
of the project, extending across Fern Valley Road through the traffic signal near Home Depot before reaching a dead end behind the Lazy Boy Furniture store.
• Fern Valley Road will appear only on the east side of I-5, terminating at a cul-de-sac joined by Pear Tree Lane.
Diverging Diamond Design The Fern Valley Interchange features Oregon’s first Diverging Diamond design, which reduced ODOT’s right of way needs for construction.
• Grove Road will replace South Phoenix Road in the southeast area
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“The Diverging Diamond design was developed specifically with Phoenix in mind, and was presented to the project’s citizen teams,” said Leaming. The design objective was to reduce the project footprint, which reduces the project’s impact on surrounding businesses and reduces right of way costs. The design also provides better traffic capacity and safety for motorists. “To enter I-5 or cross over it, drivers move to the opposite side of the bridge, which reduces the number of signal phases a driver needs to clear,” said Leaming.
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‘Show Me State’ Inspiration In 2009, the Missouri Department of Transportation was the first in the United States to construct an interchange with this diamond design. Since then, 69 interchanges have opened in 23 states using the Diverging Diamond Design, with the I-5 Phoenix interchange being the latest one. The ODOT project team traveled to Missouri in 2010 to meet with Project Manager Don Saiko and see the new design first hand. Located on Interstate 44 at the intersection with Missouri Highway 13 in Springfield, the new design moves traffic efficiently and safely through a
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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 as part of the federallyrequired 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.
previously-congested intersection in a major commercial area. The new design is important to freight haulers. Time spent sitting in a bottleneck is money lost. ODOT produced a 3-D traffic simulation video to illustrate how the new interchange design would work. “It really helps people see how to navigate a diverging diamond interchange,” said Leaming. “The 3-D traffic simulation video is still available online at the project website.” Problem, Process, Solution The Fern Valley Interchange connects I-5 and Phoenix at Exit 24. The interchange experienced traffic congestion through 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
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. 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 spans I-5 and Bear Creek at Exit 24.
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HOW TO LEGALLY AND SAFELY PASS A BICYCLIST By Harlan Bittner Bicycles are, like automobiles, vehicles under the Oregon vehicle code. In fact, bicyclists can legally drive their vehicles in the travel lane — which is the safest option in some cases. The law doesn’t require people riding bikes to ride on the shoulder. How do you legally and safely pass a person riding a bike when you’re driving your car? Oregon law (ORS 811.065) defines “safe passing.” The law requires that a motor vehicle driver who wishes to pass a bicyclist must drive to the left of the cyclist at a safe distance and then return to the lane of travel. What does “safe distance” mean? It means a distance that is sufficient to prevent contact between motor vehicle and the person operating the bicycle if that person were to fall into the driver’s lane of traffic. The illustration below depicts the safe distance. A motorist must almost always use part of the adjacent lane in order to provide sufficient distance to safely pass a bicyclist, even if that means crossing over a double yellow line. The law allows for the motorist to drive to the left of the center of the roadway to accomplish this—when it’s safe to do so. What happens when
there is oncoming traffic and it is unsafe to pass? Then motorists must slow down, follow behind the person riding the bicycle, and wait until it’s safe to pass. This law applies where vehicle speeds are greater than 35 mph. It does not apply where there are designated bike lanes, which are almost always confined to urban areas and are clearly marked by an 8-inch wide, exclusive lane stripe, bike symbol and arrow. Where ORS 811.065 does not apply, a safe minimum distance to pass a cyclist is generally considered to be three feet. Harlan Bittner is the Advocacy CoChair for the Siskiyou Velo. The Club’s mission is to promote cycling as a fun and healthy activity, provide fellowship among cyclists, and to encourage bicycle commuting. The Club plans, promotes and conducts bicycle rides, tours and special events as well as bicycle safety education and training. Support of legislation and ordinances that advance the interests of cycling safety and enjoyment is a key goal of the Club. The Club further promotes awareness of cyclists’ rights and responsibilities on public thoroughfares.
SAFE PASSING. IT’S THE LAW IN OREGON.
Oregon law ORS 811.065 requires motor vehicle drivers to pass bicyclists with enough room to avoid running over the cyclists if they were to fall into the lane.
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September 23, 2016
odotmovingahead.com
CAVEMAN BRIDGE
REHABILITATION IN 2017 Caveman Bridge, designed by famed Oregon bridge designer Conde McCullough, will soon be structurally stronger and look as fresh as it did when it first opened during the Great Depression. The $5.3 million rehabilitation project is the first major makeover for the Caveman Bridge, which was completed in 1931. The project is scheduled to begin after Labor Day weekend in 2017 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 erected 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 original bridge rail, maintaining its unique aesthetic while improving its safety to meet today’s safety standards; and • Upgrade illumination with new lighting that maintains the character of the bridge’s street lights. “With nearly 19,000 vehicles a day using Caveman Bridge, we understand the importance of minimizing traffic impacts,” said ODOT Project Leader Stephanie Bentea. “That’s why we moved the project start until after the Labor Day weekend.” According to Bentea, project design is looking at daytime single-lane closures with some full night closures and at least one full-day closure during a critical repair stage. ODOT recently briefed the Grants Pass City Council on the project scope and efforts to reduce the construction impacts on community events and nearby businesses. Additional community outreach is planned as the project nears, including a formal open house event as well as project updates through the local media.
odotmovingahead.com
September 23, 2016
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