Dear Supporters:
As you know, MDOT is holding an open house tomorrow, noon-2pm and 4-8 pm at WCC Morris Lawrence Building, about the US-23 project, as well as a project studying changes to Washtenaw Avenue.
We are urging everyone who is able to attend the open house and provide voluminous written feedback! We are aware of one local journalist who will be in attendance for the 4-8 PM session.
MDOT Open House
Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024
Noon - 2 p.m.
4 - 8 p.m.
Washtenaw Community College Room 105
4800 E. Huron River Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Here is some background information about each of these projects written by supporter Kirk Westphal:
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In this meeting, MDOT is looking for feedback on two different projects they're working on in the area. Please give your input on both!
1. Potentially widening US-23 between M-14 and I-94 Tldr: NONE of the 3 alternatives that add a lane are acceptable because — no matter what the additional lane is used for — all highway widenings induce traffic and sprawl, pollute surrounding neighborhoods, and add financial obligations to an already unsustainable highway network. They could be using the money to create safer under- and overpasses for walkers and bikers and/or contributing to more efficient modes of travel like rail service.
Ann Arbor City Council already passed a resolution asking MDOT not to widen the highway.
2. Potentially designating one lane of Washtenaw in each direction (east of Ann Arbor) to a bus-only lane (aka BAT lane — "Alternative C" described on their project page). A dedicated lane for buses would be an absolute game changer for the AAATA's goal of express service between Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor (their busiest transit route in the county!), for the safety of all users through traffic calming, and for a quieter, cleaner and more walkable environment for businesses and residents along the corridor. It's a slam dunk! (Because MDOT is also showing a wider, off-street walk/bike path in Alternative C, the "drawback" to this alternative is that it would require acquiring strips of land from property owners along the corridor. This is a good long-term goal, but it should not stop MDOT from creating bus-only lanes now and building the off-street path as they acquire land.) There are two major highways that run east to west in this area... we do NOT need this dangerous arterial road to try to act like another highway and continue to hurt people!
If you go to the meeting, it's super important to WRITE your feedback in as many places as possible (posters, Post-It notes, comment cards) to document your input.
If you cannot go (or even if you can), please share your feedback about US-23 here and about Washtenaw Avenue here.
THANK YOU!
Rob Goodspeed on behalf of TrainsNotLanes.org