Project Overview
“MDOT plans to rebuild a 2-mile section of Grandview Parkway/Front Street in 2024 between Garfield Avenue and Division Street. This project will result in operational enhancements at the intersections of Division Street, Hall Street, Front Street, and Peninsula Drive, drainage improvements, Americans with Disabilities Act review and upgrades, repairs to the Murchie Bridge over the Boardman River, and new signs and pavement markings.
The major project is anticipated to begin in March 2024 and will be divided into two segments. The first segment, Garfield Avenue to Front Streets is expected to take place from March 2024 to July 2024. The second segment, Front Street to Division Street is expected to take place from July 2024 to November 2024.
(Source: https://www.traversecitymi.gov/projects/mdot-grandview-parkway-project.html)
Impacts on Oak Park and Boardman Neighborhoods - Report by Carol Danly
I represented Oak Park at the Boardman Neighborhood Association meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. MDOT presented and answered questions about the 2024 detour that will utilize neighborhood streets. Representatives from the City and Elmers were also there. Here is my understanding of the material presented.
Preparation has already begun for the Phase 1 detour which will allow MDOT to begin utility work in May--before asphalt plants have opened for the paving season.
Following are details of the detours in pictures and words, information on how MDOT and the City will respond to cut-through traffic issues (should they arise), MDOT/City contact names/numbers/email addresses and project related links.
But first:
The stormwater upgrade (flow rate and quality) will directly benefit much of our neighborhood—improving the quality of rain water draining from Oak Park streets into East Bay.
Flow of east-bound traffic on detour, March to May. In the
early part of Phase 1, East Front Street will be totally closed from Peninsula
Drive to Garfield Avenue (solid red on map). Once utility work is complete, Elmer’s (who is doing the work) will only close Front Street lanes, as needed.
Insert map.
Traffic flow after May.
Insert photo.
A temporary traffic signal at the corner of Railroad
and Washington will allow for more control over the flow of traffic on Railroad
and have a pedestrian crossing countdown signal for foot traffic safety. It
will be activated when project work begins in May.
Pedestrian rerouting has been planned and will be signed. No special accommodations have been made for cyclists.
To accommodate detour traffic, Railroad has temporarily
been reconfigured to 90 degrees at the corner with East Front Street. (Photo was taken on Railroad, facing West Bay.)
To accommodate detour traffic, Railroad has been temporarily
widened at the corner with Eighth Street. (Photo take on Railroad, facing 8th St.)
Commercial traffic detour.
MDOT and the City have discussed ways they can respond to
issues with traffic cutting through neighborhoods. (Pedestrian rerouting has
been planned for and will be signed. No special accommodations have been made
for cyclists.) They will be monitoring the detour route after it is implemented
for flow of traffic. Here are some things they can and cannot do:
- Can adjust the timing of traffic lights on Railroad, Eighth, etc. to improve flow and encourage staying on the detour route.
- Can evaluate the need for temporary stop signs, including 4-way stops.
- Can adjust parking regulations, if needed.
- Cannot stop traffic from using public streets with signs that say “local traffic only”.
- Cannot block traffic on a street. This just moves the problem to another street or a bottleneck occurs.
Michigan Dept of Transportation (MDOT)
Jim Johnson, Construction Engineer
JohnsonJ114@Michigan.gov
231-941-1986
City of Traverse City
Kyle Kobylski, Civil Engineer (City Engineering Department)
kkobylski@traversecitymi.gov
231-922-6894
Steve Brock, Interim Assistant City Manager
sbrock@traversecitymi.gov
231-922-4440 (general number)
LINKS:
City of Traverse City project page
https://www.traversecitymi.gov/projects/mdot-grandview-parkway-project.html
MDOT project page
Bay Brief, a City of Traverse City weekly e-newsletter
https://www.traversecitymi.gov/contact/enewsletter.html