The Oregon Department of Transportation will make several changes to an upcoming highway project based on public comments

Medford, OR – According to the state officials, the Oregon 42: Lookingglass Creek to Interstate 5 project will repave a 4.5-mile section of highway through Winston and Green, install a traffic signal at Rolling Hills Road and make several other safety improvements.

State officials also said that the original project design called for restricting left turns from westbound Oregon 42 onto Winery Lane, but local business owners pointed out that large trucks would not be able to navigate the sharp turn from the other direction.

As a result of this feedback, ODOT will continue to allow left turns at this location.

The cost savings of this change will help ODOT address other concerns raised at the open house, such as the risk of rear-end and nighttime crashes.

ODOT will add right-turn lanes for westbound Oregon 42 traffic at Landers Avenue and Rolling Hills Road. These turn lanes will allow highway motorists to exit the travel lanes before turning, reducing the risk of rear-end crashes.

The new Oregon 42 traffic signal at Rolling Hills Road will include streetlights. In response to public comments, ODOT will also add streetlights at Landers Avenue and Jackie Avenue.

Approximately $17.8 million has been allocated for this project, which is scheduled to bid in October 2024. Most of the funding will go toward paving and bridge repairs. About 13 percent of the project funds will be used for the new traffic signal and other safety improvements.