Mary Dillinger of the Oregon Department of Transportation provided a semiannual update to the Medford City Council on July 2, describing current projects in Jackson County and warning that recent reductions in state transportation funding will constrain ODOT’s ability to provide non‑core maintenance services.

Dillinger and interim area manager Eli reviewed projects including ADA ramp construction throughout Jackson County, Foothill improvements (with the county portion already complete), the Big X project (night work that mostly clears by 7 a.m.), Glenwood Coleman work finishing driveways and bus stops, and the Barnett/Highland/Dover right‑turn lane project programmed to start in 2026.

On funding, Dillinger said, "Yes. Without the funding package, it does limit ODOT's ability for our district, our maintenance crew... The highest priority is the roads... and the other things that fall in line that is the areas that they cut grass or we eat, so it doesn't cause a fire... Those things, yes, it is going to cause problems with the budget as far as what can be done." She added the district will coordinate with Jackson County and the City of Medford where additional support or collaboration is needed.

Councilors asked whether projects currently on the schedule remain funded. ODOT staff responded that projects such as the Highland turn‑lanes are funded and proceeding; staff said they would notify the city if any funded project is at risk.

Dillinger noted ODOT performs many nighttime operations for traffic flow and that some residents have asked why sidewalks near a mall appear wider; staff said that in some corridors bike lanes are being shifted to sidewalk level, which increases apparent sidewalk width while preserving overall active‑transportation allocations.

Councilors also discussed the recent failure of a transportation funding package at the state legislature and potential ODOT layoffs. ODOT confirmed districts have begun issuing layoff notices and that a gubernatorial special session on transportation had been signaled but not scheduled. City staff and councilors said they expect to work with ODOT to prioritize critical maintenance and safety needs if state funding does not recover.

No formal action resulted; the presentation functioned as a regular update and an early warning about service impacts if state transportation funding is reduced.