Medford plans to mend streets

The Medford City Council took to the streets last week.
Council members and city staff were touring streets in the city that were in need of repair in hopes of finalizing a much-delayed street replacement project. The project was originally slated to be done this year, but disagreements over which roads need to be prioritized have delayed the project.
The council was inspecting the streets in person to resolve the debate, so the project can move forward in 2018.
The crux of the debate centered on whether or not streets in the southwest development of town were in more pressing need of repair than two in the northeast. After inspecting the streets, the council has decided to refocus the project on different streets throughout town, instead of doing one area of town at a time.
The council’s current plan is to replace 2nd Ave SW, 5th Ave SE, 1st Ave NE, and 2nd St NE.
The council won’t be able to vote on the plan until engineer Joe Duncan of Bolton and Menk has completed the new estimates for project and assessment costs. If the estimates are not ready by the time of the August meeting, the council will vote on the issue at the September one.
If the plan is approved, the council will set a date for a public hearing to inform residents and businesses of the estimated costs.
If all goes according to plan, the city will be ready to take bids for the project in January for a 2018 spring or summer construction. According to Mayor Lois, “The best time for contractor bids is January when they’re setting their calendars.”
The council’s decision to alter their street replacement plan was influenced by seeing portions of 2nd St NE where the road has been worn down almost to dirt.

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The current plan does not mean Medford’s other streets will not be replaced. They’ll just be delayed a few years, while the city focuses on what it can currently afford.