Name of Project: 1-Way to 2-Way Conversion Feasibility Study
Agencies: Collaboration between City of Ypsilanti and Washtenaw Area Transportation Study
Project Description: It is the intent of the City of Ypsilanti, in partnership with the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS), to hire a consultant to engage in a transportation planning and feasibility study to improve the function of Lowell Street and Huron Street, with associated preliminary concept drawings. This study will consider the potential return to two-way function of this existing one-way pair, as well as the addition and potential location of a shared-use path bridging a gap in the existing Border To Border Trail between Ann St and Forest St. Although preliminary concept drawings should be included, the scope of this feasibility study does not and cannot include designing the project.
[View the full Request for Proposals Document]
Proposals are due Sunday, December 28th, 2025 by 4:30 PM.
Questions/Answers: (To Be Published Below by Monday, December 8, 2025)
Is the due date correctly indicated as a Sunday?
Yes, the due date is Sunday, December 28th, 2025.
Can you reiterate the southern geographical limit of the study area?
The southern limit is Forest Avenue, inclusive of the Forest Avenue intersections.
Looking at inflection points where it transitions from 1-way to 2-way (e.g. intersections of Lowell St./Huron River Dr. and Lowell St./Forest Ave.), it’ll likely take capital to manage how those intersections would function. Can we take some liberties in what we propose, such as including potential geometric changes to those intersections, as part of our conversion concepts?
Yes.
How much political interest will there be in this project?
Conversion of the City’s extensive one-way network to two-way has been a goal of the City since before its explicit inclusion in the 2014 Master Plan. Generally, the public is supportive of pursuing conversions.
Is the primary focus of this RFP more so on developing a technical analysis or is it on gathering data then telling the community why we’re making the change and what to expect as a result of it.
The primary focus of the RFP is to create a technical analysis. However, the consultant should inform the public at key points throughout the process with at least one series of public meetings.
What role will the City play in this project? Do they have a traffic engineer, city engineer, or perhaps a city manager who will be part of the process?
Bonnie Wessler will be the primary contact for the day-to-day aspects of this project.
Are there any specific objectives or constraints regarding the non-motorized path?
We expect the path to improve the routing (and thus usage) of the Border to Border trail through this extent. In previous discussions, we have found the rail right of way adjoining Huron to be a constraint. Reconstruction of Huron (Forest to LeForge) is tentatively planned for the near term (2029/2030).
Is there a desired width for the non-motorized path?
10’.
Is all of the project intended to be within the public right-of-way?
Yes.
Is narrowing any of the roads an option?
Yes.
There will likely be conflicts with utility poles. Is there any guidance on how to take the utility poles into consideration?
Relocation of this utility would likely be significantly cost-prohibitive, and examination and exhaustion of other options first would be preferred.
Can you please define the study area with either a map or the intersections/segments to be included?
A map of the study area has been created and can be viewed below. However, impacts from outside the strict geographic extent should be considered.
The scoring criteria mentions performing the work by the scheduled due date. Is there a deliverable due date that can be provided?
The deliverable due date is the same as the date when all final invoices must be submitted to WATS by, which is June 1, 2026.
What are the expectations for public engagement? Will there be any and if so, how many in person meetings? Is virtual engagement an option?
Consideration to keep the public well-informed through at least one stakeholder meeting and at least one public meeting should be provided. If needed, the public meeting can occur in conjunction with the stakeholder meeting. Additionally, providing a virtual option to the meeting(s) and soliciting asynchronous public input is highly encouraged. Meeting invitations to stakeholders should include, at a minimum, the following entities: Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation, the City's Planning Commission, and the City's Non-Motorized Advisory Committee.
