Welcome to the June 2020 edition of WATS Up, the monthly newsletter for Washtenaw Area Transportation Study! June marks the end of our 2020 fiscal year and FY 2020 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). We are excited to begin the upcoming FY 2021 UPWP.
WATS Agency Updates
The current value of the 2020-2023 TIP is $447,722,083.41. Click here to view a complete list of projects in the four year Transportation Improvement Program. Within the TIP, 26.5% of funding for location specific projects is targeted to 80th and 90th percentile Environmental Justice (EJ) areas. Click here to read more about the USDOT EJ strategy.
Project Spotlight: Last month railroad tracks were removed, excavated, and replaced in less than two days for the Allen Creek Railroad Berm Project. Check out a time-lapse video of the impressive around the clock work! When complete, the project will include flood mitigation and a pedestrian tunnel connecting downtown Ann Arbor to the Border to Border trail. Read more about this innovative project at the WATS blog.
WATS staff continue to coordinate plans for a tactical urbanism project in the City of Chelsea. The Chelsea Pop project will include low-cost temporary street improvements to demonstrate potential long-term design concepts that focus on pedestrian and bicycle safety. Learn more
WATS has been working with a steering committee of local agencies and MDOT to evaluate solutions to improve non-motorized access at freeway crossings throughout Washtenaw County. HRC Engineering Consultants was contracted to provide a study of retrofit opportunities. They are currently putting together high level cost estimates for the proposed improvements and their work will conclude this month. WATS is excited to share the report with our partner agencies to begin implementing the recommendations.
“From the design of the built environment in cities to how policies are intertwined with planning practices, the exclusion of minorities in housing and transportation is systematic and deep-rooted.” Read More
“There is a population of cyclists of color in the U.S., who are largely unrecognized, under reported and unrepresented.” Read More
“There is a population of cyclists of color in the U.S., who are largely unrecognized, under reported and unrepresented.” Read More
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has released a $494B bill for surface transportation. Read More
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has released a $494B bill for surface transportation. Read More
Partner Agency Updates
TheRide is asking local businesses to help flatten the rush-hour curve while reopening by continuing to encourage remote work, staggering work schedules, providing PPE, and more. Read More
TheRide is asking local businesses to help flatten the rush-hour curve while reopening by continuing to encourage remote work, staggering work schedules, providing PPE, and more. Read More
SEMCOG will be hosting a variety of upcoming webinars, including Funding Green Infrastructure through TAP, What’s New in Asset Management Planning, and Tips & Tools for Virtual Engagement & Input. Read More
SEMCOG will be hosting a variety of upcoming webinars, including Funding Green Infrastructure through TAP, What’s New in Asset Management Planning, and Tips & Tools for Virtual Engagement & Input. Read More
WCRC will hold a virtual meeting to share information about the roundabout to be built at the intersection of Miller Road and Wagner Road and the Miller Road bridge replacement project in Scio Township. Read More
WCRC will hold a virtual meeting to share information about the roundabout to be built at the intersection of Miller Road and Wagner Road and the Miller Road bridge replacement project in Scio Township. Read More
Did You Know?
In 2015, almost 20 percent of Black households did not have access to a car in the United States, while only 6.5 percent of White households did not have access to a car, according to the National Equity Atlas.
Get Involved!
Check out the WATS Calendar for upcoming meetings and webinars.
Click here to nominate a residential street for lane closures to provide more space for walking and biking in the City of Ann Arbor.
Click here to nominate a residential street for lane closures to provide more space for walking and biking in the City of Ann Arbor.
