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.
Temporary speed bumps on Locust.
A 2” speed will let drivers know they are there when driving 25 mph
Install a 3” bump at driving 50 mph can send a serious message.
The city could install 2 speed signs with radar and a camera to take photos of those going at excessive speeds.
What’s excessive? How lucky do the drivers feel?
Unfortunately I can’t see anything being done to address any of these traffic concerns. I approached the city council some years ago about the corner of West Maple and railroad because vehicles keep parking at the corner blocking the view of the intersection to the north, I almost got T boned by a elder couple I stopped and asked them
what the problem was they said they couldn’t see the intersection because of a truck parked there I told them they weren’t alone and I have brought it up to the city council. Well as you can guess nothing has been done, you have to pull out into the intersection to see if anyone is coming from the right side of the road. I even asked just a week ago if the person who drives the current vehicle that Parks there if he could back up further seeing how there is plenty of room. This intersection is very congested at times with three businesses right there.
Dahlia Street has been a dragway for years.
My neighbor called the city and police to tell them the worst times are between 3 and 3:30 p.m. The police came at 2.30 and stayed 10 minutes then left.
No, they did not go to another call. My neighbor followed them. They went back to the police post. Must be too much paper work to do?? And they never came back.
They need a roundabout at the High School driveway at Superior. It is extremely dangerous in the mornings. Now that the U of M medical office will be moving, the city should buy that property for a roundabout.