8/15/14 - The Michigan Department of Transportation gave presentations in Whitmore Lake yesterday to explain the active traffic management system planned to alleviate congestion on US-23. Currently, US-23 is plagued by backups and accidents on the southbound side during morning travel time and on the northbound side during the evening rush hour. MDOT worked on a feasibility study from 2007 to 2009 looking for solutions to the problem, ranging from improving surrounding roads to constructing a new third lane in both directions. In the end, they decided to implement the first active traffic management system in the state. For the ATM system, MDOT will install improved median-side shoulders that can accommodate traffic. Overhead signals will open that shoulder to traffic during times of heavy congestion, then return the road to two lanes during non-peak hours. It will also allow officials to route traffic away from specific lanes in case of accidents. Dozens of residents attended yesterdayâs presentations to learn more about the system and give feedback. Most were generally in favor of the new system, including Green Oak Township Police Chief Jason Pless. He says the new system will definitely help relieve congestion, especially in the morning, but he is concerned about after noon backups when the optional third lane ends on northbound 23 near Silver Lake Road. He would prefer any solution from MDOT to go all the way to the I-96 interchange in Brighton Township. Construction on the new system is tentatively scheduled for 2016, giving MDOT plenty of time to incorporate public feedback. (TD)
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