Project limits
Greenhills Drive (south) to US-23
Timeline
- Public Engagement: Winter 2021 - Spring 2022
- Design: Spring 2022 - Winter 2022
- Construction: Spring 2023 - Fall 2023
Why is this project being done?
While the scope of this project is currently under development a primary focus will be to improve the poor pavement conditions and upgrade certain stormwater system components within the corridor. In addition, it will provide an opportunity to address objectives recognized in the city's Comprehensive Transportation Plan (Ann Arbor Moving Together Toward Vision Zero) together with others identified through new public engagement initiatives planned for the project. These initiatives will assist to guide the final scope determination and move the project forward into design.
Public engagement
December 1 Workshop's
Costs and funding source
This project will be funded
by the Washtenaw County Road Millage and the City of
Ann Arbor Street, Bridge, and Sidewalk Millage
Project history
Earhart Road was identified in the 2013 Non-Motorized Plan update as having several non-motorized facility gaps. Specifically, the plan identified missing sidewalks, possible benefit of shared use side paths, and a possible lane reduction. As a result of a staff review, a plan has been developed to make temporary changes to Earhart Road, from US-23 to Greenhills Drive, and observe and record the impact of those changes before construction takes place in 2021.
During the summer of 2018 staff began reviewing the recommended projects from the 2013 Non-Motorized Plan to determine if projects remained feasible. To begin this project, staff first examined the needs of motorists on the corridor. Staff collected traffic volume, speed data as well as collected and reviewed crash data. That review led to the following conclusions:
- Traffic volumes on Earhart are not high enough to need two lanes.
- The crashes on the corridor are dominated by “angle" crashes.
- Speeding occurs on the corridor.
Once staff understood the flow of traffic, a look into non-motorized needs and how to create a more complete transportation system was undertaken.
Staff have observed a significant amount of non-motorized activity on the corridor, focused on:
- Travel to school, predominantly high school and middle school students observed walking along and crossing the corridor to access transit (AAATA and school bussing).
- Recreational walking as individuals have frequently been observed walking along and across the corridor, the Greenhills school cross-country track team has been observed using the corridor, and the City has records of resident requests for improved walking conditions.
- Observed and frequent bicycle use.
Staff worked to develop a plan that would address:
- Improving motorized safety and reducing angle crashes.
- Improving non-motorized safety.
- Reducing delay during peak hour if possible.
Staff presented a proposed design solution to the Transportation Commission on Feb. 20, 2019. One of the key features of the proposed plan is that it would be accomplished using pavement markings (“paint"), signs, and delineators. This plan will be in place for two years before the pavement renewal project being planned as part of City's Capital Improvements Plan, which will give staff time to review project performance and review user experience.
Survey
The public was invited to share feedback via an online survey. The results are available and feedback was provided to City Council, along with the data and analysis supporting the development of the proposed designs.
Earhart Road Safety Improvements and Lane Conversion Public Survey Results (PDF)
Documents
April 11, 2019 public meeting
Transportation Commission, February 20, 2019
