Traffic issues in the City of Wayland soon should see some relief, as City Manager Josh Eggleston told the City Council Monday night that South Main Street paving should start Wednesday.

South Main, one of the most traveled arteries in the city, has been impassible since spring for local traffic from Sycamore to 133rd Avenue, causing some hardships.

Costs of the project to install a left-turn lane has been absorbed by the city and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Eggleston said recent weather issues have delayed the project somewhat, and workers hope to get around prospects of rain Wednesday. “Hopefully, we will see the blacktop down on Wednesday,” he added.

Meanwhile, concerns about traffic in Wayland were discussed at length, especially because a local couple who live on Locust Street complained that motorists on their residential street are speeding at as much as 50 miles per hour. Furthermore, too many cars, SUVs and trucks are ignoring cross walks, which endangers bicyclists, walkers and runners.

City Councilman Steve Stepek said, “It’s state law that they (motorists) have to yield (to pedestrians) at cross walks.”

Police Chief Scott Matice said he is concerned about traffic at cross walks because Wayland Union Schools’ first day was Monday.

The woman who lives on Locust Street said she understands Wayland is growing in population, but adjustments must be made for quality of life in a small town.

On a related matter, Councilman Rick Mathis said he already has been approached by a couple of citizens who want a traffic light installed at East Superior and Wildcat Drive by the high school because of congestion in the early morning and afternoon.

However, Eggleston said it’s unlikely that such a light would be approved, even after a costly study was performed because the problem only exists twice a day for limited times.