Sent 8-15-07
Dear Bike Lane Supporters,
The Transportation Commission will have a public hearing on the Hagadorn Road Study on Monday, Aug. 20 at 7:30 PM -- 54 B Court Room 2.
The Stakeholder Committee, DLZ Consulting, and the City Staff entertained three options to improve the road. Option A: Keep 4 lanes with modifications – the main mod. Being an 8’ multi-use path and Option B: Three Lane with Bike Lanes. Option C was to do nothing.
The good news is that the report includes most of your letters and e-mails encouraging a more bikable and walkable (and drivable) Hagadorn Road! THANK YOU – these made a big impact! The report also states this about “Option B” (Road Diet +):
-acceptable traffic operation for all three signalized intersections
-projected reduction of total crashes 20-60%
-slightly lower travel speeds (for cars, that is!)
-safer for pedestrians
-reduced bicycle/vehicle conflicts
-good mobility for pedestrians
-$82,000 less expensive than Option A
On the negative side, the report states that Option B will result in extremely long delays for drivers turning out of roads/driveways during peak travel times and potential increases in cut-through traffic if traffic volume exceed 18,000 Average Daily Trips. Hagadorn currently is 14,000 – 17,000 ADT.
My response to this is that the longer delays do not figure the use of the center turn lane to help complete left hand turns (which is apparently encouraged in some localities and often used on Saginaw and other locations). For the cut-through issue, most streets don’t offer a short-cut. For those concerned about safety – Option B still seems like a hands (or feet)-down winner! Still, many residents are anxious and have expressed their concern that Option B/Road diet would reduce traffic speeds and increase congestion – and increase complaints to the City.
THE REPORT RECOMMENDS AGAINST OPTION B!
That leaves Option A or doing nothing. Option A offers some improvement for bicyclists, it would require a lot of extra pavement (and greenspace/tree/bush removal) for the 8’ dual-use path, no reduction in crashes, less safety and mobility for pedestrians, at a much higher cost -- $238,000.
Your voices are need now to show a strong voice of support for a Road Diet (or whatever other options you want to suggest). Here are a couple more suggestions:
1) Consider coming to the Transportation Commission hearing Monday night
2) Come to the City Council Public Hearing later in the Fall (yet to be scheduled).
3) Express your views to tsneath@cityofeastlansing.com if you haven’t already. Kind and thoughtful tones carry more weight than accusatory ones. Please cc me if you’re willing.
4) Stay informed on the issues and sign up to support bike lanes throughout the entire region! Visit www.midmeac.org for a handy electronic form. Also visit www.re-news.net/cto for more info on “complete streets”
5) Pass the word to others.
Thanks for listening and feel free to contact me if you have questions or suggestions. Apologies for duplicate e-mails.
LeRoy – concerned parent, walker, biker, and yes… driver
PS Unfortunately I’ll be out of town on Monday evening so let me how it goes!