Middle Segment

Odem Medo Road to Yew Avenue

The segment extending from Odem Medo to Yew Avenue is home to hotels, quick-service restaurants, big box stores and auto dealerships and suppliers. To the west of the highway is the canal and, beyond it, residential neighborhoods.

In the future, this segment could benefit from improved circulation and connectivity between its neighborhoods, commercial businesses and the highway. To improve access to businesses from the highway, a “backage” road—a road that runs parallel to US 97, behind businesses along the highway—is one possibility. Though a backage road might offer limited access points from the highway, but it would be offset by unlimited access to businesses at a slower speed, with parking to the side and rear of businesses.

A frontage road is another possibility, offering the same benefits as a backage road but along the front side of businesses. Other options include road extensions throughout neighborhoods to increase connectivity, along with a new intersectional traffic signal at SW Wickiup Avenue. A canal crossing and a recreational path along the canal are also of interest to create a more pedestrian-friendly area.

Project teams are in the process of assessing potential improvements in this area. Stay tuned for updates on concepts being considered.

Click on the numbers in the map above to find out more information about the concepts being considered.