Brandon Twp.- The traffic impact of a proposed hospital project in nearby Independence Township has some traffic engineers concerned that significant improvements along the M-15 corridor are needed sooner than later.
During a legislative briefing on Monday at the Brandon Township Library, an outline of the progress the M-15 Task Force has made since 1995 to improve the corridor between I-75 and I-69 was disscussed. The project, costing an estimated $150 million would include widening of M-15 to four lanes in several locations and creating narrow boulevards. Community representatives along with traffic engineers and state lawmakers gathered to discuss issues regarding the future plans of the highway.
Key in the discussion was how to contend with the proposed Life Care Campus and William Beaumont Hospital, to be located on a 63-acre site in the northwest corner of M-15 and I-75. Included in the project is a $13-million, 120-employee office building for primary-care and specialist physicians a $17 million ambulatory care center employing 60 people, outpatient testing and surgical procedures. Also a10-bed, basic life-support emergency room. The $18-million rehabilitation and nursing center would employ 220 people and have 175 beds.
Robert DeCorte, vice president of engineering and data services for Traffic Improvement Association, a non-profit, public-private corporation that provides traffic safety studies in Oakland County, Macomb and Wayne counties says changes in M-15 should move forward considering the impact the medical facility would have on the communities to north, including Brandon, Groveland and Atlas townships.
‘Those communities along M-15 both north and south of I-75 should be concerned if this hospital project moves forward,? said DeCorte. ‘Just don’t be fooled that the hospital traffic is only coming from I-75 to the hospital. M-15 is a major north-south artery and is key to access the new facility.?
Highway officials said a traffic study by Midwestern Consulting regarding M-15 is due out in March.
According to a report issued by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, accidents between Oakhill Road and Mill Street in Brandon Township increased by 31 percent from 2005 to 2006. The accidents increased from 68 in 2005 to 89 in 2006 along M-15.
‘We’re putting Band-Aids and tourniquets on M-15 a little bit at a time,? said DeCorte. ‘It’s just not been enough’it’s going to get worse as time goes by.?