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The letter is dated April 7, 2006, and had been sent prior to the Council vote during last night's regular meeting. The motion to endorse the letter was passed by a 5-1 vote. Councilors Phil Paquin, Kris Woodburn, Jack Patterson, Brian Thompson and DonnaJean Wendle voted in favor. Councilor Tim Cummings voted against. Councilors Jeff Hyde and Robert Keith were not present. Following the vote, Mayor Len Holzinger said, "If this was a resolution I would veto it." The text of the motion said that the purpose of the letter was to express Council support and clarify understanding of ODOT's Highway 199 Expressway Upgrade project and work on the South Y area. The text goes on to say that the Council is concerned about project impacts affecting businesses, the Fairgrounds and traffic. It also expresses the Council's desire to encourage ODOT to expedite the South Y study. This scope of this project consists of work on Highway 199 from Tussey Lane west to Midway. ODOT says this section of Highway 199 is "one of the most dangerous highways in Josephine County." City officials and staff said that the letter represented a compromise with ODOT. A planned frontage road north of Highway 199 would not proceed at this time pending the results of environmental impact study. The frontage road as proposed would cut across the Fairgrounds including the "Pepsi Building." ODOT said the environmental impact study will not be completed until 2009 or later. Local attorney Duane Schultz was copied on the letter. Schultz represents 15 business owners in the Highway 199 who he said are in support of the compromise to delay construction of the frontage road. Public testimony focused mainly on ODOT's plans to remove two traffic signals on Highwy 199 and a the installation of a median barrier from Allen Creek Road to Midway. Traffic signals planned for removal are located at the entrance to the Josephine County Fairgrounds and the intersection of Redwood Avenue. Upcoming ODOT meetings open to the public: The next Citizens Advisory Committee meeting for the Highway 199 project will be held Thursday, May 11, 6pm-8:30 pm, in the RCC Board Room at 3345 Redwood Highway, Grants Pass. The next Project Development Team meeting for the Highway 199 project will be held Friday, May 12, 9am-11:30 pm, in the RCC Board Room at 3345 Redwood Highway, Grants Pass. On the net: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION3/h199e_index.shtml Reach reporter Tim Burleson at 761-0195 or tim@grantspassclimate.com Copyright © 2006 Grants Pass Climate Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums.
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