Main Street lane reconfiguration part of Ann Arbor Healthy Streets program
ANN ARBOR, MI — The 2021 edition of Ann Arbor’s Healthy Streets program is now in full swing with a mix of temporary and permanent reconfigurations to some city streets.
Perhaps most notably, motorists driving along Main Street will notice it’s now one lane in each direction instead of two lanes in each direction from William Street to Stadium Boulevard.
With the reconfiguration, the city has added a center turn lane and buffered bicycle lanes along Main Street.
City officials have heard a mix of complaints from motorists concerned about slowing automobile traffic and praise from cyclists who appreciate the accommodations.
The city notes the Main Street changes are intended to be temporary and will be removed in the fall.
The city is testing out new street configurations as part of the second year of its Healthy Streets program, which is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and intended to provide additional space for social distancing for pedestrians and cyclists, making it easier and safer to get around without a car.
The measures align with the city’s transportation plan and A2Zero carbon-neutrality goals, according to the city.
Divisions on City Council held up the $354,000 program’s approval earlier this year, but council finally voted 7-4 in June to move forward with implementation. The city announced on social media last week the changes have begun.
The 2021 reconfigurations also include changes along Packard Street from Hill to State streets, removing left-turn lanes at Packard/State and Packard/Hill to install bike lanes. Those changes are expected to be permanent.
Another change that’s expected to be permanent is a new configuration for Packard Street from Eisenhower to the eastern city limits, with bike lanes on both sides, two automobile travel lanes in both directions and a center turn lane.
“The vehicular travel lanes will be narrowed to accommodate the bike lanes and the posted speed limit may be lowered. This deployment will be permanent,” the city website states.
Dozens of neighborhood streets through the city also are receiving “soft closures” as part of the new Healthy Streets program, with barricades, bicycle/pedestrian warning signs and signs indicating no through traffic is allowed. A neighborhood can opt out if 20% of people living along the street indicate they are not interested in the soft closure.
“These changes are expected to be in place until November to prepare for winter operations,” the city website states.
Other Healthy Streets changes from last year on Division Street, Catherine Street/Miller Avenue and State Street are being explored by the Downtown Development Authority through the People Friendly Streets initiative, the city website states.
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