Hi Friends and Neighbors,

 

Thanks for your interest and voices of support for bikability, drivability, and walkability in East Lansing.  While a 4 to 3 lane conversion of Hagadorn still seems like a possibility, time is short.  Road resurfacing has begun.  The good news is that temporary striping will occur in a few weeks and permanant restriping will not occur until October.

 

A letter of support from you could go a long way to making this possible.  Todd Sneathen, Director of Public Works and the staff rep. to the Transporation Commission, suggests that you send them to him at tsneath@cityofeastlansing.com .    Note:   The City of E.L. Public Works Dept has been very helpful in providing information.  (As the brother of an Engineer in a Public Works Dept. in Massachussetts, I have sympathy for the people who have to deal with citizens who make their lives a little more complicated ; - ).  Todd mentions that the Commission might take this up at their 9/12 meeting.

 

Dave Smith, staff rep to the Commission on the Environment has also stated that walkable/bikable improvements are on the agenda for this group as well.  He's at dsmith@cityofeastlansing.com .

 

In past discussions with Bev Baten, who also happens to be the City Council liaison to the Transportation Commission, seems very supportive of pedestrian-friendly community.  She's at bbaten@cityofeastlansing.com

 

A letter sent to council@cityofeastlansing.com will go to ALL Council members, the City Manager, and the Deputy City Manager. 

 

While there have been both negative and positive responses to 4 to 3 lane conversions in E. Lansing, it seems like rising gas prices and elevated awareness of the health, economic, and environmental benefits of biking, walking, active living, etc., make for a much different climate these days.   In addition, the feasibility and benefits of conversions have had stood the test of time.

 

There is some good material at http://www.walkable.org/library.htm such as:

Road Diets, UPDATED - Prepared by: Dan Burden and Peter Lagerwey (rdiets.pdf 768KB)

The Conversion of Four-Lane Undivided Urban Roadways to Three-Lane Facilities - by Thomas Welch, Office of Transportation Safety, Iowa Department of Transportation

 

 

Quote:

"Four-lane roadways often generate excessive speeds and significantly discourage mobility and access for transit users, pedestrians and cyclists. When road lanes are shrunk from four to three, or three to two, (with the addition of turning lanes at intersections and/or median turning strips, cycling lanes, and boulevards) vehicular capacity remains the same, auto speeds are lowered, safety is improved and the number of pedestrians increases."   - Dan Burden

 

 

Thanks again for your interest in this.

 

LeRoy