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Appendix
A
Public
Comment Form
2030
Long Range Transportation Plan for Washtenaw County
Public questions/comments from public meetings
January 5th 2004, Washtenaw County Road Commission
18 Attendees plus Staff
and Committee members
- Michigan has the worst
roads anywhere around. There are not enough alternative routes. Contractors
should have to pay for road improvements before construction occurs. (Norm
Cook)
- Looking at the deficiencies,
will the traffic get through, where are the shortcomings? Having a 30-year
plan and a three-year TIP doesn't make sense. Citizens need a voice. In years
past there were 2 land use plans, we need to get back to using them. At maximum
build out the county would have 1.3 million residences but what is the logical
number to plan for? 70% of US-23 traffic isn't going to Ann Arbor. County
planning did have a sub-division advisory committee- we have come away from
that. (Tom Fegan)
- We should look at a
way to get major areas of business to coordinate when the start time of the
day is to reduce congestion during peak periods. Would you consider AATA to
be well funded? Why don't we just create new cities? (Larry Grant)
- What is the status
of the commuter rail study? What is the status of the deferred Washtenaw County
projects? (Pam Byrnes)
- How conscious of road
widening is WATS as well as the road agencies? Where is Maple/M-14 traffic
coming from? Doesn't want to see widening of roads into Ann Arbor. Have there
been studies done to see where users of Park and Ride lots are coming from?
(Craig Kazmierzak)
- Doesn't see a move
from the State to fund transit. People don't want through traffic in a neighborhood.
People are looking for a transit way to fit their needs. We should try to
"recycle" cities whenever possible. Where do funds come from to
pave local roads? What happened to the old right of way county plan? (Clark
Chernetzki)
January 6th, Ann Arbor
Library - Downtown
6 Attendees plus staff
and Agency members
- How do capacity and
congestions get defined? (Richard Borman)
- There are lots of people
who have vehicles who don't want to drive all the time and want to use transit.
The bike lanes along Jackson Road need to be swept and cleaned. Packard east
of the city limits is badly deteriorated. What is the status of the non-motorized
plan? (Riin Gill)
- There should be a light
at the botanical gardens. Widen the west side of Dixboro to allow for non-motorized
traffic. (Mary ?)
- I have lived without
a car for 11 years but canceling service on weekends in certain areas is making
that too complicated. Would like a day pass that had unlimited transfers.
The Mayor of Ann Arbor talks the talk but doesn't use the bus. Connect the
link to the Hospital. Why have the lower town plans been scaled back? Large
intersections should e more passable to pedestrians. (Allen Hizer)
January 7th, Manchester
Village
5 attendees plus staff
and Committee members
- Why is the timing of
lights in Ann Arbor different then other areas? Why is M-52 in both funded
and unfunded lists? We could take the money that is being spent to fix just
one big bridge and fix several smaller bridges. (Karl Recinis)
- Do the mineral extraction
agencies have any effect on the plan? (Jeff Wallace)
- There are no provisions
or separate funding sources for culverts? (Ron Mann
January 8th, Superior
Township
14 attendees plus staff
and agency representatives
- Will traffic continue
to flow during construction of the Dixboro Bridge? (Kay Williams)
- Plymouth Road from
Ford to Dixboro should be resurfaced there are serious pothole problems along
the bike lane areas. Concerned that the side of the road will simply wash
away because it is falling apart. Resurfaced roads have been raised 6-12 inches,
it is now dangerous to get on and off the road. (Anne Schmidt)
- What is the capacity
of a given road, how is it determined? In a 1974 study it was determined that
Geddes could not be widened. We are rewriting our growth management plan and
there are no limitations on capacity in the growth plan. What is the capacity
of a roundabout? Why doesn't the road commission allow reflectors on the roads?
(Michael David Bendor)
- I have to pick up chunks
of pavement coming off of Plymouth Rd. this needs to be resurfaced. (Linda
Oswald)
- The Historic character
of Dixboro is very important to the area and capacity improvements like widenings
will hurt that character. An extended shoulder would be great. (Tom Freeman)
- Widening Dixboro will
increase volume and the backups through the township will increase, for people
who are passing through it will be a big problem. (Ken Schmidt)
- The black Ice on Rawsonville
Road is very bad. There is high development along Rawsonville, how can the
speed limit be reduced? Recommends a signal at Bemis and Rawsonville Roads
and that the project be moved up earlier in the life of the plan. (Mary Bann)
- Ann Arbor is the impetus
to all this traffic and congestion yet the master plan does not allow enough
housing to address this. Is there hope that transportation can be a factor
in making development decisions? Standards haven't been followed and there
is not enough parking near Whole Foods on Washtenaw and Huron Parkway. (Don
Oswald)
- Passing lanes would
be a great addition to help the congestion on US-12. (Jack Kerr)
- What is the access
management plan for the Sam's club area. How was the confusing entrance/exit
approved in the first place? (Brenda Mckinney)
January 8th, City of
Ypsilanti
5 attendees plus staff
and agency representatives
- I have a small landscaping
firm and the townships that are restricting truck traffic, there aren't any
alternatives going East-West in the Southeast part of the County. Can townships
restrict traffic on roads that received federal funds? If townships are not
allowing trucks then the road commission should not allow maintenance on the
roads. (Keith Bruder)
- How do you get transit
into the rural areas and how do you keep people independent? St. Joes needs
transit service. What is the status of the I-94 and Huron non-motorized crossing
study? How are mobile and point source emissions can be differentiated. (Cheryl
Farmer)
January 20th, Eastern
Michigan University
14 attendees plus staff
and agency representatives
- What are the plans
for US-23? (Norm Tyler)
- What is the status
of the Dixboro road bridge? US-23 and Washtenaw is the highest ranked crash
intersection, are there any improvements planned for it? Are we going to see
AATA service out to metro airport? (Steve Parks)
- What is the status
of US-12? Are there plans to widen Carpenter south of Ellsworth? (Dick Schwartz)
- Any information on
how to get students in to EMU from M-14, there was once a study but it went
away. (Larry Ward)
- How involved is WATS
in public transportation? What happen to the Dexter Chelsea route and the
Saline service? What are the pro's and con's of Michigan lefts and are any
more planned to go in? What is the status of the Lansing to Detroit Rail study?
(Ben Miller)
- Could a roundabout
be constructed at Stony Creek And Whittaker? Are there areas in the County
where they are already planned? (Joe Lawson)
January 20th, Saline
City Hall
5 attendees plus staff
and agency representatives
- Local area studies
have revealed the congestion East and West of the City of Saline. If MDOT
will be widening US-12 there needs to be some sort of bypass around the City.
- What are the plans
to reduce the congestion along Michigan Avenue? (Lisa Cauley)
- What impact will the
new high school have on Michigan Avenue? (Jason Cauley)
January 21st Chelsea
Village
4 attendees plus staff
and agency representatives
- Were the roads studies
only Federal-aid eligible? Can Enhancement money be used for sidewalks? (Christine
Linfield)
January 22nd, Northfield
Township
8 attendees plus staff
and agency representatives
- The plan doesn't seem
to take into account alternative funding sources. Will US-23 funding be primarily
federal? Does WATS or the WCRC interact with Livingston County and the Livingston
Road Commission? What does AATA want to be doing in 2030, what new routes
are being looked at? If alternative funding sources become available does
the county lose money that was programmed in for a project? (Ken Dignan)
- Would the county have
anything to do with the widening of US-23? I travel on US-23 every day and
each time I feel like I am taking my life in my own hands. We need more than
three lanes in each direction along US-23. Three lanes would not be enough.
HOV lanes don't work. Where are the Police officers? Why was service discontinued
along Jackson road? What is going on with the Dixboro Road Bridge? If I donate
money to put in a Stop sign, will you? (Janee Bigles-Viesel)
- Do we need rail first
before we can get funding for more? (Doug Anderson)
- There is still a rail
line between Whitmore Lake and Ann Arbor, could it still be utilized? (Faith
Bjork)
- How does Air Quality
come into play? (Antigone Kline)
January 26th, Pittsfield
Township
3 attendees plus staff
and agency representatives
- In the funded improvement
list is the date the estimated start date or completion? Can projects be added
to this list? (Mark Lodi)
- Do rural roads get
included in these funds, many of them are in need of significant improvement
or paving. If projects get delayed, what happens to the funding? There are
some serious matching problems (funding) with the townships. (Ken Unterbrink)
February 2nd, University
of Michigan
8 attendees plus staff
and agency representatives
- Ann Arbor Township
passed a resolution to reject the WATS plan, Mr. Moran Outlined the concerns.
(Mike Moran)
- Is there any way to
have commuter transit between Ann Arbor and the Chelsea area? (Richard Murphy)
- I would recommend calling
congested areas something other than deficient. Deficient is more factually
based while congested may or may not be wanted or warranted. How does the
SEMCOG financial forecast work? (Joe Grengs)
February 5th, Ypsilanti
District Library, Ypsilanti Township
17 attendees plus staff
and agency representatives
- What is the situation
with Judd Rd Bridge? Mr. Valentine was concerned about the proposed 55mph
bridge being too large. Township residents do not want the bridge replaced
only repaired. York Township passed a resolution to this effect supported
by a 283-signature petition. Mr. Valentine requested additional information
on the cost splits for the bridge repair. (Jack Valentine)
- There is a big concern
that there was no other alternative provided. (Ed Opaleski)
- There are problems
with the current crash data that was used to rank. If a new set of crash information
were available, would it shift some project priorities? With regard to Congestion,
could municipalities provide information of expected development and have
them run through the model? (Matt Pilarz, OHM).
- There is a lot of support
from York residents to save the Judd Rd Bridge. In addition there are several
roads that we feel should be in the Plan (LRP) but are not included. (Brenda
Stumbo, Ypsilanti Township Clerk).
- Did you meet with someone
about development plans and the Township Master Plan? (Helen Neill)
- Judd Rd will never
be a major transportation route; it will be residential with lots of curves.
Common sense needs to be used! For Police to demand 55 mph bridge is bad.
I do not believe that the bridge in the slide is current; the picture had
to have been taken pre 1954. I want a copy of this picture. How will these
meetings be reported on? I would like a copy of the minutes of the meetings
and feedback. (Forest Black)
- How was the crash ranking
for Rawsonville and Willis established at 36? What kind of analysis is done
on these bad intersections? Would like to have a meeting with the Wayne County
Engineer to discuss signal light at Willis, Bemis and Martz Rds. Would like
to see the signal project from 2010 to 2004. How do you determine how much
money is set-aside by each community? Mr. Clark stated that volunteers for
schools helped on transport kids on buses to libraries, shops, etc. It was
crowded. He is proud of the buses. (Toni Clark, Supervisor of Sumpter Township).
- AATA is hyper subsidized.
We should do away with buses. They suck up all the money and offer only lifeline
service. (David Sporseller, Ann Arbor Chairman of the Ann Arbor Northeast
Area Planning Committee)
February 18, AATA
7 attendees plus staff
and agency representatives
- Did WATS look at land
use for this Plan? It seems that the plan assumes the same density in the
area or the status quo. If the train becomes a reality between Ann Arbor and
Detroit, it should affect the density around the train stations. Do the local
communities have 30 year master plans? (Tom Fegan)
- Are you aware of the
Ann Arbor City non-motorized plan that is under development? (Sam Breck)
March 22, Ann Arbor
City Hall
8 attendees plus staff
and agency representatives
- How do you address
non-motorized safety issues? (Joshua LaVigne)
- Would like to commend
WATS on the amount of information available to the public. Can we get maps?
Is EJ available separately? Concerned about AATA outsourcing services, that
once is it out of AATA it will be eliminated. Trunklines are getting more
congested. With regard to transit there is a concern that if you live in Ypsilanti
the fare is higher. If you drive to the park and ride the fare is lower. The
Concern is that culturally affluent areas are getting lower fares. There is
no transit to get to the Plymouth Rd. Health Center. Concerns with anticipated
growth, there is too much. Were alternatives looked at? (Jim Mogensen)
- Commuter Rail, what's
that about? All congestion is to the west why aren't townships providing public
transit? (Rick Neubig)
- In Scio with regard
to the non-motorized deficiencies were special populations i.e. teens taking
into account? (Laura Liebler)
- There seems to be attempts
to narrow some roads, Main and Jackson. Traffic Calming causes more pollution
and car problems. Hopes people look at things with cause and effect and common
sense in mind. (Robert Frank)
- How will the plan address
bike lanes in DDA? (Ken Anderson)
April 14, Manchester
Village
16 attendees plus staff
and agency representatives
- Do you use SEMCOG projections?
According to their population projections the Village is expected to grow
to 3000 by 2030, up from the current 2000. Looking at our housing development
we are estimating that we will be at 60% of this projection by 2010. How will
this disparity impact us? (Karl Racnis)
- How do you prioritize
projects? (Robert Little)
- How are you interrelated
to the Road Commission? (Peter DeLoof)
- Are you involved with
the State Highway Department? (Peter DeLoof)
- Is M-52 totally state
funded? (Duane Beurerlie)
- The road commission
is supposed to represent all of Washtenaw County but the small rural areas
do not get their share; Freedom Township combined with three adjoining townships
received less than $100,000. (Stan Tschiltz)
- How are bridges prioritized
and chosen? (Peter DeLoof)
- Can agencies come forth
with their own solutions (to bridge design) and how can we get a broader spectrum
of design options? If an area does not agree with the proposed bridge design
are they able to decline the federal funding? (Jim Fish)
- It is disturbing to
hear the State is not cooperating with the planning process. Given the fiscal
difficulties the State is in, is this a time when WATS could offer them help?
(Karl Racnis)
April 26, 2004 Southside
Historic Neighborhood Group
8 attendees plus staff
and agency representatives
- Is the reduction from
3 lanes to two lanes included in the plan for Huron and Hamilton as was recommended
several years ago? The Huron and Hamilton streets have been a problem for
the city since they were converted back in the 1960's. Is there any chance
that these streets can be returned to two-way traffic? (Joseph Lawrence)
- If Huron and Hamilton
are reduced from three to two lanes, the City DPW Director states that there
will be a reduction from ACT 51 dollars. Is this true? What is the situation
(proposed improvements in the plan) south of I-94? (Steve Pierce)
- Could AATA provide
some updates on their service? (Chris Mason)
- Any suggestions for
controlling the traffic that comes through the neighborhood? The light at
Michigan and Hamilton causes the traffic to use other streets. (Steve Pierce)
- I would like to commend
you on the public transit service between Ypsilanti and Arborland. I would
also like to support that traffic speeds are a problem and they are enforcement
problems. The Ypsilanti police have been receptive and when they are present
for enforcement, the traffic slows down on Huron. (Will Sharp)
- Where do I go for senior
specific transportation options? I lived in another neighborhood that worked
together by driving only 15 mph through the neighborhood at all times. It
slowed down the traffic. (Tim Vetter)
2030 Long Range Transportation Plan for Washtenaw County
Public questions/comments provided in written form
In your opinion, what
are the most critical transportation needs in Washtenaw County?
- Relief of Traffic Congestions
(Robert M. Harrison, Saline)
- 1) Connecting M14 to
I94 - the congestion on the west side is destroying the quality of life as
well as detrimental to the environment. 2) Timed stoplights - all major roads
need the for the same reason as item 1 above. (Craig Kazmierezak, Ann Arbor)
- Connect communities
to bike paths and improve pedestrian and cycling situations. (Jay Barth, Ann
Arbor)
- Common Sense in Policies
on lights - see attached letter (under other below). (Dave Dean, Pittsfield
Township)
- Improving and widening
main roads to handle the increased traffic coming. The city is near gridlock
at some times & places. Even with our first class bus system, Ann Arborites
generally won't take public transportation. (Robert Frank, Ann Arbor City)
- Pedestrian and biker
safety needs should be better addressed, especially in downtown Ann Arbor.
Possibly in other towns, too, but I have limited experience with those areas.
(Joshua L. LaVigue, Ann Arbor City)
- The intersections of
Nollar and Northfield Church and Sutton and Northfield Church. (Jane Boylea-Visel,
Ann Arbor Township)
- Plymouth Road and Ford
Road intersection improvement. The resurfacing of Plymouth between Ford Road
(M153) and Dixboro Road. (Ken Schmidt, Ann Arbor)
- Bridge replacement plan
for Judd Rd. over RR tracks is unnecessary and unwanted by residents of the
area. It is a misuse of the funds - these funds could be put to better use
repaving roads. Putting in this elevated, highway type bridge will ruin our
country road & raise speeding. (Cheryl Pummell, Milan)
- Road repairs, traffic
hazards such as the Washtenaw/Carpenter/Hogback intersection. Adherence to
context sensitive design ED No 2003-25. (Jack Valentine, Milan)
- Rawsonville Rd Corridor
- widening & need for traffic lights at Martz Rd & Bemis Rd especially
with left turn lanes to slow traffic down & to allow access to Rawsonville
from Martz or Bemis Rd. (Mary Ban, Belleville, Wayne County)
- 1. Light Rail 2. Mass
Transit
Poor condition of existing roads; poor traffic control need to be addressed
(John A. Copley, Ypsilanti)
To what extent have
your transportation concerns been addressed in the proposed 2030 Plan?
- Reasonably - given financial
restraints. However: The only relief for central business district traffic
on state routes (M-52 and US-12) is to bypass the communities with thru traffic
routes alternatives. (Robert M. Harrison, Saline)
- Not! (Craig Kazmierezak,
Ann Arbor)
- I asked about this at
the meeting, and the impression I got from the speaker was that time constraints
had prevented the study from considering these issues. I am concerned that
this may impair the safety of students and some low-income individuals. .
(Joshua L. LaVigue, Ann Arbor City)
- Washtenaw County Road
Commission has not listened to our wishes and plans to replace bridge, even
though it is not needed. This is an obvious misuse of funds - as stated before.
Residents want to also lower speed limit on the road. (Cheryl Pummell, Milan)
- To a great extent, with
one major exception - Judd Road Bridge Replacement. (Jack Valentine, Milan)
- Very informative but
hope to see projects for critical areas of congestion to be moved up in the
time frame. Thank you. (Mary Ban, Belleville, Wayne County)
- Did not address light
rail. Mass transit - some parts addressed by placing more park/ride lots further
out of Ann Arbor. Public transportation is unavailable to most outlying areas
(I would use commuter light rail if it was available for instance) (John A.
Copley, Ypsilanti)
How do you feel the
Long Range Plan could be improved?
- Continuing public input
to reinforce legislative attention to transportation concerns. Plan should
address "choke points" first - trunkline second. (Robert M. Harrison,
Saline)
- I am very concerned
about the Judd road bridge replacement plans. The replacement plan design
will be a huge detraction from the beauty of the area. More importantly, I
believe the very large replacement bridge will become a safety issue due to
increased speeds and the approach modifications that will have to take place
to the adjoining roads and driveways. I'm extremely disappointed that there
are no alternative options that the Road Commission have offered. (Edward
J. Opaleski, Milan)
- Allow township w/ residents
to keep bridge and make side-rail improvements. The bridge is safe and adds
character to our road. We do not want the added safety issues of many speeders
with a new bridge & 55 mph (+/-) speed limit. (Cheryl Pummell, Milan)
- Allow the Judd Road
Bridge to be repaired, by the residents, if necessary. See Attached Letter
to WCRC Chairman Norman Kennedy. February 2, 2004 letter to Norman Kennedy
from Sally Donahue, Treasurer and Helen Neill, Clerk was not transcribed.
(Jack Valentine, Milan)
- "When the only
tool you have is a hammer, all problems begin to look like nails." Stop
using enlargement of roads as the traffic solution! Better maintenance of
existing roads and better more efficient signals would help with traffic flow
which is the real problem! - Dixboro Rd., for instance does not need to be
wider! The span between Plymouth and Geddes passes through an area already
almost built out and sees congestion perhaps twice a day - during rush hours.
Widening this road will not solve this twice a day occurrence and will destroy
the beauty of the road (Dixboro n of Geddes). Once the new bridge and intersection
at Geddes is complete, the existing twice daily slow down should be alleviated.
If you build wider roads more people use them, and soon those roads too will
be inadequate for the traffic volume. Maintain roads in good shape and time
traffic lights to promote ease of passage and traffic will not back up, speed
will reduce, accidents will be reduced and the trees can stay! And it's cheaper!
(John A. Copley, Ypsilanti)
Additional Comments:
- Small Towns (under 107,000)
(Saline-Chelsea) need to reduce thru traffic - safety - time - comfort severely
impacted by constant congestion on state and federal highways. (Robert M.
Harrison, Saline)
- Plymouth Rd, between
Dixboro Rd and M-153 is in dire need of repair and resurfacing. This would
include the shoulder esp. if it could be widened for a bike path and non-vehicular
traffic. (unknown)
Other:
- Attached sheets depict
a possible bypass around Saline for thru traffic and a non-intrusive truck
route to Saline's Industrial Districts, This "idea" should be in
the queue of future projects. News articles were provided "Residents
seeking truck ban", Ann Arbor News, 12-29-03; "City seeks ways to
ease truck traffic problems," The Saline Reporter, December 18, 2003;
"Lack of funding stalls Chelsea bypass project," the Ann Arbor News,
12-2-03; " Down the road - Proposed U.S. 12 upgrade years away,"
source unknown. (Robert M. Harrison, Saline)
- I understand that your
organization is interested in serious sidewalk deficiencies in Washtenaw County,
so I thought I would point one out to you. There is no way for a pedestrian
on the south side of Packard to cross under US 23 without either: A) Slogging
through mud and bracing oneself against bridge pillars B) Walking out in a
traffic lane C) Running across Packard between intersections D) Backtracking
several hundred feet to a safe signal.
Kroger on Carpenter road
is the main grocery store in the area, and it is on the south side of Packard.
Anyone within a mile to the west of the Kroger on Carpenter Road who walks
to buy groceries must start on the south side of Packard and must pass under
US 23. There is a deeply rutted path that runs between the Kroger parking
lot southwest of the US-23/Packard intersection and the end of the sidewalk
southeast of the US-23/Packard intersection, indicating that there must be
considerable foot traffic along the way. I've even seen bike tracks in the
mud built up behind the bridge supports on the south side of Packard.
If it has recently rained,
this path is muddy and impassible. The path passes under the US 23 bridge
between the pillars that support the bridge and the slanted concrete surface
that slopes up to the underside of the bridge. Under the Northbound portion
of the bridge, the path is so narrow that one has to walk up on the sloped
concrete surface, balancing oneself on the bridge support. This is clearly
an improvised, unauthorized path that thousands of pedestrians have informally
blazed, but this path is there for a reason. While there is an asphalt path
on the North side of Packard, this is inconvenient for anyone shopping at
Kroger, the CVS pharmacy, or any of the numerous stores between them. All
these stores are on the South side of Packard. To use the path on the North
side, one must cross Packard, either in a mad rush near the bridge, or by
backtracking twice the width of the parking lot (and how many people *driving*
to Kroger will willingly walk half that distance?). I confess that I've made
the mad dash a few times, and I doubt I am the only one. This situation frankly
amounts to shabby treatment of Ann Arbor pedestrians. As a recently diagnosed
diabetic, I am under doctor's orders to get more exercise in order to prevent
disability and early death. But with the current setup, I find myself wondering
if the simple act of walking to the grocery store is more likely to cause
disability and early death. Thank you for noting this problem. (Peter Always,
Ann Arbor City)
- How to Improve traffic
flow in Washtenaw County without spending a dime. - a public comment provided.
1) Make all lights
with a separate left turn arrow go into a blinking red arrow mode instead
of waiting for the next cycle. This is a small adjustment that will allow
people to turn whenever the traffic clears from the opposite direction,
and do a small part in saving gas and relieving some congestion. If the
lights are computerized, it will also speed up the changes when there isn't
an abundance of traffic from on direction, but they now have to wait the
entire cycle.
2) Especially at busy intersections, eliminate the no turn on red signs.
If you want to protect pedestrians more, increase the penalty for violating
their rights. If you don't think this will work, go to San Francisco. Even
the taxi drivers stop for pedestrians there.
My guess is this would
make a one to three percent improvement in relieving congestion.
Not a lot, but enough to make a difference for a lot of drivers stuck at lights
like these:
1) Left turn from Northbound
Saline-Ann Arbor Road to I-94 west.
2) Left turn from Ellsworth Road into any of the subdivisions with lights
there now.
3) Allow right turn on red at Washtenaw and Huron Parkway while they are
turning left from the other way and no pedestrians are crossing. This goes
for all major intersections in the county. It works great at Washtenaw and
Carpenter.
4) Allow right turn on red at Jackson and Maple. This is a joke to wait
here. It would really help relieve congestion.
5) Left turn on red at minor intersections like Lohr and Ellsworth, Lohr
and Oak Valley, Scio Church at Oak Valley, etc. I could name a hundred.
These are just a few
that I drive by on a regular basis. I hope your will try to implement these
changes at no major cost except reprogramming the lights. They are common
sense changes that will absolutely make a difference. As a realtor who drives
for a living, I know I would benefit as well as you. Thank you for listening
to my ideas. I'd be willing to serve on any panels to discuss other changes
as well.
(Dave Dean, Pittsfield Township)
- Suggested Road improvements
in Washtenaw County
1. Dexter- Ann Arbor
Road - Light at Dexter-Ann Arbor by Mill Creek School could be blinking
during the off traffic hours, between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm. There is not
enough traffic to warrant this light to be working all the time, similar
to the traffic lights in Dexter.
2. The Dexter-Pinckney
Road/Island Lake Road intersection should have a right turn lane to expedite
cars that use Dexter-Pinckney. This intersection is not a right angle intersection,
which is not the most desirable situation. This would help traffic flow
for those who turn right.
3. Parker Road should
be extended beyond Dexter-Chelsea Road. The amount of cars that come from
the Dexter High School going west either on Island Lake Road or Dexter-Pinckney
would not have to go through that unusable bridge that now exists, let alone
the intersection where Dexter-Pinckney and Dexter-Chelsea intersect. Traffic
turning left off of Dexter-Chelsea Road find it hard to see those coming
under the bridge.
4. The Dexter-Pinckney/Amtrak
Bridge is way outdated for the amount of traffic that has to go through
Dexter every day. It is too narrow, not high enough, and too dangerous for
cars coming in either direction. PLEASE DO SOMETHING WITH THIS!
5. Why don't the left
turn lane type signals have a blinking red light in use, so when traffic
clears, cars could still turn left?? This is standard in the city of Livonia
and most area around Detroit. This would help those who turn left not to
have to wait so long for the light cycle.
6. Even thought this
might be out of your area, the traffic light where Baker Road Ends in Dexter
is a joke. Baker Road should have been extended and Central Street revised
for better traffic flow. Now cars have to be courteous to let people in
that turn off of Central. This makes for extremely bad traffic flow during
rush hours.
7. The amount of cars
that use Lima Center Road between Island Lake Road and Dexter-Chelsea Road
should be paved. Even though this would cause speeds to increase (put up
speed limit signs!), it would sure save cars from dodging potholes and spring
breakup. After every rain, this road becomes almost impassable.
(Paul Weiner, Dexter)
- I would like to see
emphasis on reducing congestion by reducing the number of miles driven by
automobiles. Suggestions I have are:
1) Encourage more carpooling.
2) Reinstate something like the inter-urban along the 1-94 corridor, (If
the population of the are 60 years ago could support it, then we certainly
should be able to today.)
3) Get Amtrak trains to stop in Chelsea, Dexter, and Ypsilanti during the
morning and evening commutes,
4) Reinstate the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority bus service to Dexter
and Chelsea,
5) Build a non-motorized path for walking, running and bicycling which connects
Ann Arbor, Dexter, Chelsea, Stockbridge, and Manchester. The Dexter to Ann
Arbor portion can be on the Boland corridor which is a railroad right-of-way
that is currently unused.
I would like to Chelsea
Village be a more pedestrian friendly area. In this regard, suggestions I
have are:
1) Build a western
by-pass around the Village along with zoning restrictions as to what can
be built along this by-pass to discourage business along the by-pass and
encourage it in the existing Chelsea downtown.
2) Add a traffic light at the entrance to the Chelsea High School on Freer
Road to increase safety in that area.
3) Add speed limits to the rural, gravel roads in the Chelsea area.
4) Require students to ride the school bus or walk to school,
5) Put parking lots behind new stores so that the pedestrians can walk more
easily to them.
(Kathie Gourlay, Chelsea)
- York Twp.
Areas of concern:
1. Platt/Willis, Platt/Bemis,
Carpenter/Bemis
State Hospital property seems to be on fast track for development in the
past few weeks. RR crossings on Willis, Bemis & Platt Rds will be affected
by whatever development goes in on that 600+ acres at the north end of York
Twp. This property development, slated for Research Park District, will
require 5-lane roads with signalizing at the major intersections in that
area. US-23/Willis interchange will require expansion, as well.
2. County
3. Flashing red is
left turn lanes at major intersections, while straight thru lanes have green,
then it turns to a left turn green arrow before turning steady read. (ie.
Carpenter/US-12)
4. US-12 Widening
5. Wider shoulders
needed on major roads allowing for people to walk or bike less dangerously.
Bemis/Rawsonville Rd. - signaling.
6. Judd Road is a very
rural road that just needs regular maintenance on the bridge over the AA
RR - not needed is a dangerous (site distance proximity to Meadow Ridge
Dr) highway bridge. Thank you.
(Anonymous)
- I reviewed the 2030
Transportation Plan, and I want to complement you and your staff on the great
job you did on the plan. I reviewed the Plan with Jim Walter and offer the
following comments:
1. MDOT told the Township they have funding for 2005 to resurface U.S.12 Saulk
Trail to U.S.23 and make intersection improvements to U.S. 12 and Textile
(south).
2. The U.S. 12 widening project should be somewhere in the Plan. MDOT does
not have funding, but this project is very important to the Township.
3. Should Carpenter from I-94 to Textile widening be in both 2005 and 2006-2010?
4. With around 600 ADTS, paving Bemis Road from Carpenter to Stoney Creek
may not be needed (2011-2015).
5. Widening Carpenter from Bemis to Textile may not be needed, since the land
adjacent to the section of road is in our Comprehensive Plan for 2.5 dwelling
units per acre.
6. Should the Township's Greenway plan for trails and sidewalks be incorporated
into the Plan?
(Mark Spencer, Pittsfield Township)
- RESOLUTION
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF ANN ARBOR
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN
WATS 2030 DRAFT TRANSPORTATION PLAN RESOLUTION
Minutes of a regular
meeting of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw
County, Michigan held on January 19, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.
Present: Supervisor Moran,
Clerk Braun, Treasurer Forshee, Trustee Allision, Trustee Dieterle, Trustee
DiPietro, Trustee Ragland
Absent: None
The following preamble
and resolution was offered by ALLISON and seconded by RAGLAND:
WHEREAS, WATS has proposed
a 2030 Draft Transportation Plan which includes a number of road improvements
impacting on Ann Arbor Township residents.
WHEREAS, this plan
also includes recommendations for increasing the number of lanes on Dixboro
Road from 2 to 3 and extending Clark Road to Huron Parkway.
WHEREAS, the 2001 Ann
Arbor Township General Development Plan specifically dealt with these issues
and recommended against these actions.
WHEREAS, this WATS
2030 Transportation Plan does not include improvements to US23/Geddes Road
and M14/Barton Drive which are recommended in the 2001 Ann Arbor Township
General Development Plan.
WHEREAS, this plan
includes recommendations which will provide improvements in public transit
such as commuter rail service and HOV vehicle lanes which are in the best
interest of area residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, the
Board of Trustees of the Charter Township of Ann Arbor adopts the following
resolution:
RESOLVED, the Board
of Trustees of the Charter Township of Ann Arbor reluctantly rejects the
WATS 2030 Draft Transportation Plan
FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call upon WATS to eliminate the widening of Dixboro
Road and extension of Clark Road from the 2030 Transportation Plan and add
improvements at US23/Geddes and M14/Barton Drive.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that
we request that WATS study the feasibility of using Earhart Road South of
Plymouth Road, instead of Dixboro Road, as a major arterial road.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that
the Township Supervisor and Ann Arbor Township WATS representative shall
provide this resolution to WATS and engage in active discussions to implement
these recommendations.
AYES: MORAN, BRAUN,
FORSHEE, ALLISON, DIETERLE, DIPIETRO, RAGLAND
NAYS: NONE
ABSTAINED: NONE
RESOLUTION DECLARED ADOPTED:
January 19, 2004.
(Mike Moran presented with a copy of the Ann Arbor Township General Development
Plan)
- MDOT has received and
reviewed the Draft 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan Update for Washtenaw
County and would like to take advantage of the agency comment period that
ends on April 23, 2004. Previously, MDOT provided projects for the Southeast
Michigan Council of Governments Regional Transportation Plan and appreciates
the courtesy you showed by placing portions of that project list in your LRTP
Update.
After reviewing the LRTP
Update document, staff has found that the 2030 funded project list includes
items that do not originate from MDOT's project selection process. In particular,
the construction of HOV lanes on US-23, and the widening of US-12 from two
to five lanes were not provided to WATS by MDOT. The project list that was
submitted to both SEMCOG and WATS contained a study on US-23, not an identified
solution. This study was deferred under the Preserve First initiative, and
will be reinstated when funding is available. Until then, the study should
remain in the last time code in the LRTP update. On US-12, MDOT submitted
an item with preservation improvements, not capacity improvements. We are
working on a process with FHWA that would allow the identification of projects
on a corridor level analysis for those which have not yet completed the NEPA
process.
If the final project
list contains items that were not selected through MDOT's process, our suggested
corrections to the LRTP update include enhancements to the language on page
42. The language should reference the SEMCOG RTP, the MDOT Five Year Road
and Bridge Program and the STIP as accurate sources for MDOT's committed projects.
Also, a statement should be made clarifying that the projects in the WATS
plan were determined and selected by a separate process only involving WATS.
We appreciate the opportunity
to comment on this draft, and hope that future cooperation may continue. If
you have questions regarding our comments, please call us.
(Pamela Boyd and Paul Lott, MDOT)
Next
~ Appendix B