MEDFORD, Ore -- The City of Medford looking to put its roads on a diet. Some areas of the city may be seeing fewer driving lanes, the first one to trim the fat, East Main.
The City let residents and business owners along East Main know about their plans for a so called road diet. Public Works sent out a letter explaining their plans to re-stripe the street, taking the four lanes and cutting it down into two lanes, with a center turn lane and bike lanes on both sides. The change will affect the section from Almond Street to Willamette Street.
Shop owners are divided over the issue some say it will create problems, others say it won't, while some business say they don't think it will make any difference.
Nu Way Cleaners owner, Roberta Mitchell says by the sound of the letter it doesn't matter what local business think change is on the way."I don't really think it's necessary," Mitchell said.
Other proprietors say the changes could be bad for business. Adam Spiegel says his shop, 42 degrees, already faces parking problems. He says if road diet construction starts trimming this summer it will make it tough for customers to get in and out. "I see it as being in a fairly busy road, that we're going to be dealing with a lot of congestion, " Spiegel said. He says right now you can't ride your bike easily on the road.
Mitchell says bike lanes will be good for bicyclists but won't likely increase traffic to her business, "you don't haul your cleaning in on bikes," she said.
Related Stories
- National News
- International News
Automotive
Find valuable information about buying your next car, including price quotes and your latest automotive news.
We Know Why You're Awake
We Know Why You're Awake. We can help.
Closings & Delays
Check here for closures and delays.
Community Calendar
Looking for something to do? Check the events calendar.
Gas Prices
Gas prices are on everybody's mind. So News10 is working with Gas Buddy to help you find the cheapest gas in the area.
Word of the Day
The Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo is sponsoring our "Word of the Day" contest. Click image to see details!
2013 Last Band Standing
Enter this years Last Band Standing! Click to enter online and find out about the contest.
No Text Zone
Help make our roads safe and you could win prizes! Read the official rules here!
KTVL Top Stories
Newsmax Headlines
Business News
Bernanke signals Fed to maintain stimulus efforts
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Chairman Ben Bernanke is telling Congress that the U.S. job market remains weak and that it is too soon for the Federal Reserve to end its extraordinary stimulus programs.
Consumer Info
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
"DANCING WITH THE STARS" - KELLIE PICKLER WINS
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kellie Pickler didn't win on "American Idol."
Get This
DOG BEACH WEAR
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- From bikinis to Hawaiian shirts -- it's time to gear up for the beach.
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: TEENS MOVING TO TWITTER TO DODGE PARENTS, OTHER BORES
WASHINGTON (AP) -- If you're one of those parents who are on Facebook in part to keep an eye on what your kids are up to -- here's a news flash: your kids are on to you and have moved to Twitter.

