By DAMIAN MANN
Mail Tribune

A third traffic study has confirmed earlier findings of the Oregon Department of Transportation that the proposed Central Point Wal-Mart could clog streets and cause traffic backups onto Interstate 5.

On the opening day of the proposed 207,000-square-foot Supercenter, traffic volumes would either exceed or come close to exceeding roadway capacity, predicts JRH Engineering of Eugene.

"It’s either just failing or it’s just passing," said JRH President Jim Hanks.

Prepared for the city, the study recommends reconstructing the freeway interchange and building two bridges across Bear Creek to create alternate routes around East Pine Street. The Supercenter would be located at East Pine and Hamrick Road.

Both the JRH and ODOT studies conflict with the findings of Kittelson and Associates of Portland, a company hired by Wal-Mart to determine the potential effects of a Supercenter on traffic.

Amy Hill, Wal-Mart spokesperson, said she hasn’t seen the study but added her company is willing to look at options to deal with the infrastructure.

"We will work with the city to see if something can be accomplished," she said.

She also stood behind the traffic study commissioned by Wal-Mart. "We are very confident with Kittelson’s work and the work done with the road system."

The Kittelson study initially stated that Wal-Mart had no plans to close its Highway 62 store, which would mean less traffic would be diverted to the new site. Kittelson later retracted this statement, confirming that Wal-Mart would close its Highway 62 location if a Supercenter were built.

Central Point Community Development Director Tom Humphrey said Wal-Mart has balked at the city’s suggestion that the company contribute more than $400,000 toward alleviating the projected traffic problems.

"For them to say no to participating in an ongoing discussion without obligating themselves to the improvements we’ve suggested is not in keeping with their community theme," he said.

Humphrey said JRH looked at the broader transportation issues that will impact the area once it becomes more fully developed.

"The Kittelson study didn’t evaluate a large enough area," Humphrey said.

Wal-Mart has predicted that 200 extra cars would use roadways during peak hours at the store.

But Humphrey has questioned the accuracy of that number.

"We’ve asked them for existing traffic counts from Superstores, but they haven’t done that," he said.

Both the city of Central Point and ODOT have spent about $80,000 on the two traffic studies.

Owners of other commercial properties in the East Pine area also have sent the city letters urging Wal-Mart contribute toward improving roads in light of the traffic studies.

Alan Harper, attorney for Hornecker, Cowling, Hassen and Heysell LLP of Medford, stated in an April 6 letter that his client, Bear Bridge LLC, doesn’t oppose Wal-Mart, but wants the company to pay its fair share of transportation improvements. Bear Bridge plans to construct a six-building office park at 1760 E. Pine St.

Pulver and Leever Real Estate Co. in Medford also stated in an April 6 letter that it isn’t opposed to plans to build the Supercenter, but has concerns about the impact the store would have on streets. Pulver and Leever represents Frank J. Pulver III and William L. Leever, as well as other parties, who own property at 4229 Hamrick Road and two properties on Biddle Road.

To alleviate overcrowding on East Pine, JRH recommends building a bypass route that would connect Beebe Road by bridge to Peninger Road.

Another bridge could be built on a new roadway to the south of Hamrick to relieve congestion in that area.

Humphrey said cost for the bridges would be $4 million to $5 million each. A new interchange could cost $40 million to $50 million, he said.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail dmann@mailtribune.com