Public Input Sought on Main Street Plan
Open house and online survey will guide the City’s final decision in early 2026.
The City of Medford is asking residents to help guide the future of Main Street as officials evaluate four potential redesign options for the downtown corridor. The request for community feedback follows a year of study sessions, engineering analysis, and local concerns raised about the current layout.
Residents can attend an in-person open house on Thursday, Nov. 20 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Oakdale Middle School’s Library/Media Center. An online survey is also available through Nov. 30 for anyone unable to attend, allowing participants to review and rank the proposed alternatives.
How this process began
Main Street’s current configuration was installed in October 2023 using more than 90% state funding through an Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) grant. The restriping focused on improving bicycle access but sparked concerns from businesses and residents in 2024. In response, the City Council directed staff to investigate other possible layouts.
In March 2025, staff presented fifteen alternatives for consideration. After additional engineering review, four options were identified for further study and shared with the Council during a July 2025 session. These options now form the basis of the public input process.
The four alternatives under review
1. Previous Configuration
Description: Restores the pre-2023 design with three one-way vehicle lanes and bicycles sharing the right lane.
Estimated Cost: $1 million
Notes: Could add eight parking spaces but does not align with the current Transportation System Plan.
2. Existing Configuration
Description: Keeps the 2023 restriping as-is.
Estimated Cost: $0
Notes: No concerning crash trends identified; bicycle usage has continued to rise.
3. Standard Bike Lane (One-Way Bike Lane on the Right)
Description: Two travel lanes, parking on both sides, and a traditional bike lane on the right.
Estimated Cost: $580,000 to $1,055,000
Notes: Cost variation reflects potential repayment of state grant funds.
4. Two-Way Travel with Bike Lanes
Description: Converts Main Street and 8th Street to two-way travel with one vehicle lane and one bike lane in each direction.
Estimated Cost: $10.7 million
Notes: Requires major reconstruction and could increase traffic delays near Central Avenue and Riverside Avenue.
What’s next
All feedback collected through the open house and survey will be shared with the City Council ahead of its Dec. 10 meeting. A final decision on Main Street’s future configuration is expected in early 2026.
The project remains one of Medford’s most closely watched local topics as officials work toward a solution balancing safety, mobility, parking, and long-term downtown planning.