Goodrich-Residents hopeful for the long sought after traffic light at the intersection of Erie Street and M-15 enlisted a new ally this week: State Representative David Robertson.
Robertson (R- 51st district), spoke to safety concerns voiced by residents at the Jan.8 meeting of the village council.
‘I came at the request of a citizen,? said Robertson. ‘He and many other residents have a keen interest in this.?
There is currently a flashing light at the intersection, stirring discussion from residents and officials regarding the need for a traffic signal.
After two informal counts and two Michigan Department of Transportation traffic counts last year, MDOT officials determined the intersection wasn’t sufficiently dangerous to warrant a light.
The decision was made ‘because there hasn’t been enough accidents,? said Village Council President Ed York. ‘It’s sad when somebody has to be hurt, or there has to be a lot of physical damage to vehicles for this to be done.?
Robertson said he was there to offer his support to the council.
‘My goal is to assist the village council in whatever it is they feel is best, as it relates to traffic safety,? said Robertson. ‘The light there has been an issue for some time.?
York said the sight-distance problem presented by a steep hill located near the intersection is the primary reason a light is needed.
‘The biggest reason is just to the north of that light there’s a hill. Because of that hill, when people try to turn left they just can’t do it, because the sight distance is only about 4 seconds.?
Because of a steep hill located just south of the intersection, village administrator Jakki Sidge fought to re-open the case, based on sight distance, not traffic count.
Sidge argued that motorists trying to turn onto M-15 from East Hegel Road or Erie Street need to be able to see a minimum of 450 feet. Moreover, said Sidge, traffic traveling through the area at speeds higher than the posted 45 mph create a risky turning situation.
‘The state says ‘yes, this is dangerous,?? said York. ‘They were supposed to fix the road and cut it down.?
Additionally, citizens collected signatures to encourage MDOT to do further research to get a signal installed.
However, in December a safety grant for was awarded to the village by MDOT to improve the entire intersection of Erie Street and M-15, as opposed to the original plan of only installing in a right hand turn lane.
Approximately 200 feet of road will be reconstructed at an approximate cost of to $180,000, with the village responsible for approximately $32,000.
During construction, a temporary light is slated to be put at the intersection. However, Becky Baker, a representative from village engineering firm Wade Trim, stressed at this time the light is only temporary, and will be removed upon completion of the project.
‘MDOT has looked at it and through their methods have decided a light is not warranted,? Robertson confirmed. ‘Because a light is going to be there temporality… perhaps that will be the best evidence that a light is warranted,? he added.
‘I understand the immediacy of the light at M-15,? said Robertson. ‘I have made this argument to the MDOT officials.?
Robertson said residents concerned about the light should contact their representatives’himself included? to voice their opinion on the matter.
York agreed.
‘The biggest thing that we’re trying to do is (hope) people would take the time to just write their representatives and let them know. The only way get pressure on people to do anything is if you put the pressure on them,? said York.
However, Robertson warned the final call on whether or not there will be a light is left to MDOT.
‘Ultimately the decision is an MDOT decision,? said Robertson, ‘and that’s an executive branch decision.?