MDOT Considers List of Improvements from WATS Committees

/
The WATS Technical and Policy Committees have developed a list of needed improvements to MDOT facilities within Washtenaw County. Representatives from the Michigan Department of Transportation’s University Region and Brighton Transportation Service Center participated in discussions with both Committees in December as the list was assembled. The recommended improvements are included below. If you have any other improvements you would like to see MDOT complete feel free to post a comment here and WATS will forward the comment to MDOT.

MDOT Requested Improvements--Washtenaw County
December 2009

BL-94/Jackson/Huron/Washtenaw
Further study and consideration of 4 to 3 conversion (Limits Maple to Dexter), with bike lanes
Further study and consideration of 4 to 3 conversion (Limits Dexter to Third), with bike lanes
Further study and consideration of 4 to 3 conversion (Limits S. University to Stadium), with bike lanes
Installation of HAWK Signal at 3rd and Chapin
Installation of Pedestrian Crossing Improvements for Jackson/Huron (Refuge Islands) between Thayer and Ingalls, Stadium and US-23, and further west of Stadium
Conversion of Washtenaw/Cross to 2-way traffic with Washtenaw designated as M-17
Bus pullout bays along Washtenaw
Study/implement Queue Jump lanes at Maple, US-23, Yost, Pittsfield, Huron Parkway, Stadium per AA 2009 Transportation Plan Update
SCOOT implementation or interconnection along the entire corridor
Implement Access Management recommendations
Study/implement double left turn lanes onto SB Maple
Study feasibility of intersection redesign at Maple (roundabout)
Traffic calming or cues for drivers to slow down via landscaping, pedestrian walk at Maple

BR-12/Michigan Ave
Construct and fill in gaps in Sidewalks
Install Lighting (at local expense)
Midblock Pedestrian Crossings location TBD by residents (consider HAWK, Pedestrian Refuge Islands)
Create additional pedestrian crossing between West Willow and neighborhood to Northwest

BR-US-12/Hamilton/Huron
Implement 3 to 2 conversion with bike lanes/parking

BR-23/Main St
Complete non-motorized facilities from Huron River Drive, connect existing pathways
Construct drainage improvements
Signal improvement: right turn overlap phase at Main and Depot
Conduct feasibility for other improvements at Main and Depot
Study/implement Queue Jump lanes at Depot and Summit per City of Ann Arbor 2009 Transportation Plan Update
Construct a bus turnaround south of M-14

M-17/Washtenaw/Michigan/Ecorse/Cross
Complete sidewalks on both side of road
Convert T-in US-23 interchange ramps to enable safer non-motorized crossings
Streetscape improvement per Re-imagine Washtenaw
Install Transit Bypass lanes (Queue Jump lanes)
Initiate feasibility/analysis—Corridor Study for Public Transit
Construct Intercept Transit Parking Deck (Park and Ride) near Arborland at US-23
Install Lighting (at local expense)
Implement Access Management recommendations
Midblock pedestrian refuge islands on Washtenaw (US-23 to Mansfield), at Huron Parkway, and at Golfside
Install pedestrian facilities at Oakwood and Washtenaw
Work with locals to align cross section of Oakwood and Washtenaw

M-153/Ford Rd
Install advance street signs, particularly for Prospect

M-52/Main
Install signal at Werkner Road per Tappan Datta analysis
Install wide shoulders along entire route
Install center rumble strips in rural sections
Implement recommendations from safety study from Old US-12 to I-94 , complete Access Management plan
Relocate signal from Brown Dr to Commerce Park Dr

M-14
Resurface from east tri-level to east county line
Non-motorized improvements at interchange and bridge at Miller/Maple
Implement ITS and Courtesy Patrol

US-12/Michigan
Implement improvements included in the approved EIS
Install non-motorized improvements (sidewalks, bike lanes), from the western boundary of Saline to I-94
Provide pedestrian refuge islands near Walmart
Use CMAQ funds to improve US-23/US-12 interchange
Reconstruct US-12 from Mills Road to Maple Road
Streetscape improvements in downtown Saline area (in US-12 R.O.W. in limits of the above reconstruction) according to City of Saline Enhancement Plan
Installation of left turn signals at US-12 & Maple, at US-12 and Industrial, US-12 and Platt, and US-12 and Moon/State

US-23
Non-motorized improvements at interchanges and bridges at Barker, Jennings, 6 Mile, 8 Mile/Whitmore Lake, Warren, Plymouth, Washtenaw, US-12, Carpenter
Study installation of signal at Barker
Implement ITS and Courtesy Patrol
Install ramp extensions and upgrade interchanges, particularly at North Territorial
Implement Feasibility Study

I-94
Non-motorized improvements at interchanges and bridges at Zeeb, Baker, M-52, Ann Arbor-Saline, State, Michigan, Huron, and Rawsonville
Landscape enhancements on bridge and entrance into city at interchange with State
Repave/reconstruct approaches, bridge, and off-ramps at Ann Arbor-Saline, particularly EB off-ramp
Convert interchange ramps to T-in ramps to enable safer non-motorized crossings
Eliminate slip ramps at Ann Arbor-Saline interchange
Implement ITS and Courtesy Patrol
Realign curves at Kalmbach and at Jackson (BL-94)
Add right turn lane on EB-ramp at State St
Upgrade Fletcher Rd interchange
Upgrade Jackson Rd interchange
Study Zeeb Road interchange from Jackson to Pratt for non-motorized improvements

Other
Implement ITS and Courtesy Patrol
Adequate funding for Local Bridge Program

Carpool Lots
Look at potential for Transit service at existing MDOT carpool lots at I-94 and State, Ann Arbor-Saline, Zeeb (or Baker) and US-23 and Territorial

WATS Celebrates 35 years of Cooperation

/
Following the December 16th WATS Policy Committee meeting the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study celebrated its 35th anniversary. The celebration included many previous Committee members and employees as well as a presentation on the evolution and accomplishments of the Agency since its establishment in 1974.

Former Executive Directors Bob Polens and Bob Tetens as well as former Policy Chairs, Gretchen Driskell, Ruth Ann Jamnick, Meri Lou Murray and Nathalie Edmunds were among those in attendance.

We still have a number of 35th anniversary pens at our office on 705 N. Zeeb Road. Feel free to stop by and pick up a free pen and brochure that covers the Agency’s past and present while supplies last!

Included below are a few pictures from the event.

Cable Guardrails Save Lives

/
There have been many questions regarding the cable guardrails that have been popping up all over Michigan. Yesterday MDOT issued a press release that describes the effectiveness of cable guardrails at saving lives. That press release is included below.










FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2009

CONTACT: Bob Felt, MDOT Office of Communications, 989-619-7963

Cable guardrail works –
MDOT's You Tube channel shows why

December 7, 2009 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is using social media to tell motorists about the benefits of its 280-mile cable guardrail program. The message is now playing on the MDOT You Tube channel at www.youtube.com/MichiganDOT.

"Cable guardrail is already doing exactly what it is designed to do - save lives," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "By preventing vehicles from crossing over the median into oncoming traffic, innocent people are being protected from serious injuries and even death. We expect to save about 13 lives every year and prevent numerous serious injuries."

Cross-median crashes are three times more deadly than other freeway crashes. Cable guardrail is designed to prevent vehicles from crossing the median and is expected to reduce cross-median crashes by an estimated 90 percent. In addition to reducing the severity of crashes, cable guardrail is a very cost-effective safety measure when compared to other barriers. Cable guardrail only costs $12-15 per foot, while steel "W-beam" guardrail costs $28-33 per foot and concrete barrier has a cost of $80 or more per foot.

According to state and federal regulations, funding for MDOT's three-year, $40 million program cannot be spent on other transportation projects.

For more information about cable guardrail, visit the MDOT Web site at: www.michigan.gov/cableguardrail. Follow MDOT at www.twitter.com/MichiganDOT or visit the "Michigan Department of Transportation" page on Facebook and become a fan.

###

2010 Traffic Summit Map

/
Staff from MDOT, WATS and other ACT 51 agencies in Washtenaw County will attend the 2010 Washtenaw County Traffic Summit on November 18th, 2009. The purpose of the Summit is for transportation agencies to discuss the 2010 construction schedule and possibly coordinate projects or detours.

WATS helps to facilitate this process by collecting upcoming project information from local transportation agencies. This information is provided below as a google map. If you have any questions email us at wats@miwats.org.


View 2010 Summit Projects in a larger map

Video of Pedestrian Crossings in Ann Arbor

/
At the Washtenaw Biking and Walking Coalition's Pedestrian Forum in October, a video was presented highlighting some of the issues pedestrians and people with disabilities face as they cross some of the roads in the area.

Take a look at the short video to see what was captured in just one afternoon by Matt Grocoff!

WATS Technical Committee Looks to Expand

/
WATS recently updated its bylaws to add five special interest positions to the Technical Committee.

WATS is seeking applications to fill each of the new positions:

Non-motorized
Environmental
Senior Community
Disabled Community
Freight

The responsibilities of the Technical Advisory Subcommittee are to:

Advise the Agency staff and recommend technical methods, procedures, and standards necessary for the transportation work of the Committee.

Help coordinate the work of agencies and governmental units participating in the work of the Committee.

Recommend alternative plans and proposals to the Committee.

Respond to the Committee’s requests for technical information and assistance.

Make recommendation to the Policy Committee for multi-year federal and state funding programs.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming more involved in the transportation planning process and are interested in representing one of the special interests, please take a look at the application.

2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Approved

/
On September 16th, the WATS Policy Committee approved the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan for Washtenaw County. With the Plan now approved, staff is now working to make the document more user friendly by adding additional graphics, quotes and other aesthetic items. Once complete, final copies will be bound and delivered to the locations that currently have the draft version of the plan including local government offices, libraries and the WATS office.

The plan can still be found on the WATS website here.

The WATS plan will be fully incorporated by reference into the SEMCOG Plan and then go on for final approval by MDOT and the Federal Highway Administration.

SEMCOG to host Long Range Plan Meeting in Washtenaw County

/
SEMCOG will be holding a public meeting on the Regional Transportation Plan on Thursday September 10th. I've included information from their press release below. If you have any questions about the meeting you can also call WATS at 734-994-3127.


Presentation of Direction2035

Public is Invited

SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, is inviting citizens to learn about the region’s next long-range transportation plan, Direction2035, by attending presentation on Thursday, September 10, 2009 from 2 to 4 pm. The meeting will be held at Washtenaw Community College’s Liberal Arts Building, Room 375, located at 4800 E Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor.

Direction2035 represents the region’s blueprint for transportation through 2035 and includes policies, initiatives, and projects designed to maximize regional goals.
You have the right and responsibility to review Direction2035 and offer comments. All comments will be reviewed and considered before Direction2035 is adopted. Public comment ends on October 22, 2009.

Direction2035 can be found online at www.semcog.org/Long-RangeTransportationPlan.aspx. You may also contact SEMCOG at (313) 324-3362 to request a printed copy.

You can offer comments by: E-mailing Direction2035@semcog.org Phoning 313-324-3362 Faxing 313-961-4869 Mailing SEMCOG, Attn: Information Center, 535 Griswold, Suite 300, Detroit, MI 48226 Commenting in person:
o September 10, 2009; 2 pm; Public Presentation, Washtenaw Community College, Liberal Arts Building, Room 375, 4800 E Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI
o September 23, 2009; 9:30 am; Transportation Advisory Council, SEMCOG offices, 535 Griswold, Suite 300, Detroit, MI
o September 25, 2009; 1:00 pm; SEMCOG Executive Committee, SEMCOG offices, 535 Griswold, Suite 300, Detroit, MI
o October 22, 2009; 4:30 pm; SEMCOG General Assembly, Concord Inn, 44315 Gratiot, Clinton Township, MI

SEMCOG is a regional planning partnership of governmental units serving 4.9 million people in the seven-county region of Southeast Michigan striving to enhance the region's quality of life.

2035 Long Range Plan Draft Available

/

Staff has completed the Final DRAFT 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan. You can view the plan by clicking here. You can view the appendices here.

WATS will continue to accept comments until September 20th, 2009. Any comments, including those received on the blog, will be considered by staff and discussed with transportation agencies. The comments will also be included in a plan appendix.

Be sure to forward the plan to your friends, family and co-workers. More public participation means a better plan and a better transportation system.