City of Birmingham, MI
Multi-Modal Transportation Board

 

Multi-Modal Transportation Board (MMTB) Meeting Summary

  

 

On February 5, 2015, the Multi Modal Transportation Board (MMTB) continued discussion on the upcoming capital improvement project to resurface W. Maple Road between Southfield and Cranbrook.  City staff updated the MMTB on the selection of the steering committee members, indicating that all positions have been filled with residents from each of the different perspectives identified at the last MMTB meeting, and that all but one of the members attended the first steering committee meeting held on January 22, 2015.  Presentations were conducted to provide an overview of multi-modal transportation concepts and guidelines, as well as transportation engineering concepts and data that will be reviewed.  All steering committee members were also asked to share their perspective on the existing W. Maple corridor conditions.  The committee reviewed all comments made and said they appreciated the condition of the sidewalks. They compiled a list of common findings among the group, which included the following areas of concern:   

  • This section of road is perceived as dangerous and does not feel safe.
  • The speed of traffic on W. Maple
  • Vehicles swerving to avoid other vehicles making turns along the corridor
  • The difficulties of turning onto W. Maple from adjacent side streets
  • Traffic backups at Southfield Road
  • The difficulty for pedestrians to cross W. Maple
Steering committee members agreed that improving on each of these areas of concern should be the objectives of any improvements on W. Maple.  It was further agreed that any changes to the corridor should not make the existing conditions worse, and should not increase cut-through traffic in the neighborhoods.  Mike Labadie (from Fleis & Vandenbrink) also reviewed data he is in the process of gathering, and what methods will be used to conduct a study of existing and possibly different scenarios.  

The MMTB members who attended the steering committee meeting felt it went well.  Staff advised that the steering committee and then the MMTB will review all data collected regarding the existing conditions on W. Maple at their next meeting, to determine how the actual conditions relate to the public's perception of the corridor as it exists today.

 

The next steering committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 6 p.m.  The steering committee will continue to meet once per month, in between each regularly scheduled MMTB meeting, with the expectation that its job will be completed in April or May.  The Multi-Modal Transportation Board meets the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Municipal Building.  For additional information on the Multi-Modal Board's meetings visit www.bhamgov.org.

 

 

Like us on Facebook          Follow us on Twitter