Medford Unveils Completed Foothill Road Corridor Following $62 Million Upgrade

MEDFORD, Ore. (Jul. 20, 2026) — After years of planning, funding and construction, the City of Medford officially marked the completion of the Foothill Road Improvement Project on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating one of the region’s largest transportation infrastructure investments.

Federal, state and local officials joined city leaders to commemorate the completion of the $62 million project, which transformed Foothill Road from a rural two-lane roadway into a modern five-lane corridor designed to improve safety, mobility and regional connectivity.

The project was made possible through years of collaboration between the City of Medford, the Oregon Department of Transportation, Jackson County and the Federal Highway Administration. A $15.5 million federal BUILD Grant helped fund the project, while Knife River Materials served as the lead contractor, working alongside engineering firms, utility providers, subcontractors and numerous project partners.

The upgraded corridor now includes sidewalks, bicycle lanes, improved intersections, enhanced sight distances and new traffic signals. Officials said the improvements will increase roadway capacity, provide a more efficient route for motorists traveling through east Medford and support future residential and commercial development.

Foothill Road also serves as a critical alternative to Interstate 5 during emergencies, offering an important east-side route when the interstate is impacted.

“This project has been years in the making,” Interim City Manager John Vial said during the ceremony. “It reflects what can be accomplished when local, state and federal partners work together toward a common goal. More than a new roadway, this is an investment that will benefit our community for generations.”

In a letter recognizing the milestone, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley described the project as “one of the largest investments in the city’s history for transportation infrastructure.” Merkley highlighted the roadway’s improvements to safety, mobility and regional connectivity while noting Foothill Road’s designation as a seismic lifeline and its importance as an alternative route to Interstate 5 during emergencies.

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden also praised the project, calling it an example of successful collaboration among local, state and federal partners. Wyden credited the partnership that secured federal funding and reaffirmed his support for transportation investments that improve safety and keep Oregon communities connected.

Representatives from the Oregon Department of Transportation and Jackson County joined city officials in thanking the contractors, project partners, businesses and residents whose patience and cooperation helped bring the multi-year project to completion.