This article is compiled from information published by the City of Medford
Background
In October 2023, the City implemented a new Main Street restriping layout designed to improve bicycle access.
The goals of this reconfiguration were to slow and calm traffic, improve multimodal connectivity, and enhance the downtown experience for people traveling and visiting merchants along Main Street. So far, at least one goal has been met: Since the reconfiguration, speeds on Main Street have decreased approximately 5mph.
Since this project’s completion, City Council has received numerous comments on the project. Some support the change, but the majority have expressed concerns about the reconfiguration, including concerns regarding the reduction of lanes, changes to vehicle sightlines, the lack of bicycle use, and the potential for conflicts between cars, bikes, and pedestrians. The City Council has taken these concerns seriously and has discussed them with staff and other stakeholders.
Following community feedback and concerns in late 2024, the Council requested that City staff evaluate other potential configurations.
In March 2025, the Council reviewed multiple alternatives (19 options were considered) for the project. After further analysis and engineering, during a July 2025 study session, Council identified four design options for further consideration:
- Revert Main Street to its previous configuration
- Keep the current layout as is
- Standard bike lane (one-way bike lane on the right)
- Two-way travel with bike lanes
The original restriping project cost approximately $515,000, with more than 90% funded through an Oregon Department of Transportation grant.
Residents Were Asked to Share Their Perspectives by Completing an Online Survey or Attending an Open House
In the Online Survey, which was open for three weeks and closed on November 30, respondents were given the following information about the four design options and asked to rank the four design options in order of their preference.
Alternative 1: Previous Configuration
- Description: Return Main Street to its previous configuration. Three lanes in one direction, with bikes sharing the right lane and curb tight parking.
- Cost: Estimated at $1 million (includes grant repayment)
Alternative 2: Current Configuration
- Description: Maintain the current configuration, two lanes in one direction with a two-way parking-protected bike lane.
- Cost: $0 (no grant repayment)
Alternative 3: Buffered Bike Lane
- Description: Two travel lanes, parallel parking on both sides, and a one-way bike lane on the right side of Main Street.
- Cost: Estimated between $580,000 to $1,055,000 (range accounts for potential grant repayment)
Alternative 4: Two-Way Travel with Bike Lanes
- Description: Reintroduce two-way traffic with one travel lane and one bike lane and parallel parking in each direction on both Main Street and 8th Street.
- Cost: Estimated at $10.7 million (no grant repayment)
The Open House was held on Thursday, November 20, from 5:30 – 7:00 pm, at Oakdale Middle School.
Information on the four design options was available, City officials were present to answer questions, and attendees were invited to register their preference regarding the four design options. Over 60 people attended the open house, along with multiple City Councilors, who engaged with the attendees.
Next steps
All feedback collected through the survey and the open house will be shared with Council before a final decision is made on Main Street’s future configuration.
Results will be presented at the Dec. 10 Council meeting, and a final decision is expected to be made in early 2026.
More project details, including bicycle and vehicle traffic counts, can be found at medfordoregon.gov/mainst.