Grand Rapids, Michigan Development News

Mobile GR Commission Recommends Funding for Both Kalamazoo Ave Traffic Signals Amidst Public Safety Concerns

The Mobile GR Commission engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding the prioritization of traffic signals along Kalamazoo Avenue, specifically at the intersections of Adams Street and Griggs Street. Public comment heavily favored the Adams Street intersection due to safety concerns stemming from reckless driving and a high number of angle crashes. While the city's traffic study indicated a need for signals at both locations, a limited budget of $600,000 from the Third Ward Equity Fund, designated for the Kalamazoo corridor, necessitated a prioritization. The traffic engineer's professional judgment recommended prioritizing Griggs and Kalamazoo due to its designation as a school crossing and the presence of a vulnerable population, despite Adams and Kalamazoo having more total crashes and angle crashes. Ultimately, the commission amended a motion to recommend that the city commission allocate funding for signals at both Adams and Griggs intersections, acknowledging the community's strong preference for Adams and the potential for future funding for that location.