Bloggin’ on the Edge

Posted by Scott Spielman at 1:46 PM | Comments

Here’s another suggestion on how to improve traffic flow along Michigan Avenue: attach some ‘Do not block intersection’ signs to the construction warnings.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is in the beginning of a nine-month reconstruction project along Michigan Avenue here in Wayne. Traffic on the westbound lanes—including right here in front of the office—is down to one lane now and will be for most of the year. Cars crawl along the 1.4 mile stretch of impacted roadway and, apparently, every foot matters when it comes time to navigate this section of road as quickly as possible.

It never fails. Every time I need to so much as cross the street in order to find a place to park in the city lot two blocks away, there is some vehicle virtually parked in front of whatever cross street I’m on.

They know they’re doing it, too. You can tell because they look around everywhere except in my direction, as if studiously avoiding eye contact justifies blocking the street.

City officials have made great strides in improving the traffic flow through the construction route. They’ve managed to convince the state to limit truck traffic—and the firms whose trucks regularly tear up our streets to obey the posted detours. They’ve managed to get some of the side streets open, improving overall circulation and helping the businesses get at least an additional trickle of drive-by traffic.

All of that could be moot if some dolt sees fit to block those streets.

In a perfect world, the city would not have to take action. They could rely on common sense to solve the issue.

Sadly, this is not a perfect world. Many times the overriding thought for drivers is merely to get through town and hit the gas as soon as the speed limit goes up. It’s a problem downtown business owners have complained about for years.

In a way, this isn’t just a request for city officials—who can’t just throw up those kinds of signs. They have to work with the state to get anything done on Michigan Avenue. It’s an appeal to everyone who has the misfortune of driving along the road this year. Let’s all try to be a little more conscious of our surroundings, a little more courteous to the drivers who are stuck watching the slow train of cars parade by. It’ll make it easier for everyone in the long run.

Otherwise, I may be forced to make some drastic alterations to my little station wagon. I could put on a huge chrome push bar and decorate it with metallic skulls. Oh, and install a foghorn, too. Let’s see them ignore that.

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