City Commission voted on Monday to assume jurisdictional control of several state trunklines which were previously managed by MDOT. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo Avenue, Westnedge Avenue, and Park Street are the four primary routes through downtown. This is a big move, and one with many mixed reactions throughout the city. The idea is that by assuming control of these roads, the City can more easily implement its master plan, which includes adding dedicated bike lines and converting these roads to slower, 2-way traffic. MDOT will have no input in any of this. The challenges will include how to manage the traffic flow and how to fund maintenance of these heavily-traveled roads. I'm among those that want to see the streets return to 2-way traffic. I think it will be a great benefit for downtown businesses and it will create a far more pleasant streetscape. It will be painful for a while but drivers will learn and get used to the changes. But alternative routes for traffic passing through will need to be planned out. No one is going to drive through Plainwell to bypass downtown Kalamazoo. Nothing is likely to change in 2019, but there will be planning meetings and community forums coming.
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Kalamazoo accepts control of state trunklines spanning city
Malachi Barrett | MLive
January 7, 2018
KALAMAZOO, MI -- The city of Kalamazoo controls the destiny of formerly state-owned trunklines that carve through the downtown and neighborhoods. Monday, the City Commission approved a memorandum of understanding with Michigan Department of Transportation that transfers control of sections of Stadium Drive, Westnedge Avenue, Park Street, Michikal Street, King Highway and M-43. It was among four action items approved by the commission to improve safety and accessibility of transportation routes. Deputy City Manager Jeff Chamberlain said the decisions empower staff to implement changes demanded by residents in the master plan. Creating a “connected city” was a primary goal of the master plan. Kalamazoo will be responsible for funding maintenance on the roads -- though MDOT will contribute $11.7 million to cover the next 10 years -- in exchange for being able to implement long-awaited changes...
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MLive | Courtesy City of Kalamazoo