UPDATED: Complete Streets Program Focuses on Berkley, Huntington Woods

Originally posted by Royal Oak Patch Editor Judy Davids.

The Complete Streets initiative that will shape the future of Woodward Avenue continues it public education march through the Woodward corridor with a focus on Berkley, Huntington Woods and their neighbors.

Three days of interactive community events designed to engage residents from Berkley, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge and Royal Oak begin Monday at 30911 Woodward Ave. in the Northwood Shopping Center.

The Woodward Avenue Action Association's Complete Streets master plan is designed to make the entire 27-mile Woodward corridor more accessible for users of all modes and abilities.   

“The idea behind Complete Streets is to develop a transportation system that works for everyone from ages 8 to 80 and for all types of trips,” said R.J. Eldridge, a national leader in multi-modal transportation. “It's about balance and choices.”   

The community-driven project is being led by the WA3, in conjunction with consulting firm Parsons Brinckerhoff and a steering group comprised of representatives and elected officials from Wayne and Oakland counties.   

Is Woodward a Main Street and a highway?  

“We've been meeting with each of the communities along Woodward. The characters are all different,” Eldridge said.   

In Ferndale, where buildings are close to the edges of Woodward and the 35 mph speed limit is strictly enforced, Woodward acts as a Main Street, Eldridge said. In the Bloomfield area of the corridor the speed limit is as high as 50 mph and Woodward acts more as a highway, he said.   

The challenges for the Royal Oak are different than other Woodward-area communities, but planners want to hear opinions from residents to ultimately make the project a success, Eldridge said.   

Some of Eldridge’s observations include:   

• Woodward is great for moving cars but is not so great for moving neighbors. It’s a challenge to walk from side to the other.   
• The volume on Woodward is less than the road was designed for. There is lots of extra space. People drive faster when there is more perceived space.  
• Woodward might benefit from a road diet in places to calm traffic, such as on-street parking, wider sidewalks, adding a cycle track or changing the signal timing to moderate the flow of traffic.
• People feel uncomfortable walking up against traffic on Woodward. When you can convert space into something that is more comfortable to pedestrians, such as adding a landscape buffer, that space becomes more valuable to businesses. For example, there are ice cream stands and restaurants along Woodward that might benefit from outdoor seating.
• There are streets in New York City that can move more cars in fewer lanes in the same amount of time.  

The new wave of transportation   

There’s also the ongoing $2 million Woodward Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis Study that seeks to develop a transportation plan along  Woodward Avenue from Detroit to Pontiac.   

Bus rapid transit is the new wave around the world and there have been several public meetings to get input from communities as to where to put stations for the system. 

“Bus rapid transit will create mini villages around stations,” Eldridge said. “We really need to think about how people will get to them. Stations are really game changers. It's important that you’re looking at station access routes and intersection crossings and not just traffic routes.” 

Informed consent

At the end of the day, the Michigan Department of Transportation owns the roadway and any plans for Woodward will most likely be paid for with state or federal funds, Eldridge said.
 
“MDOT has been a wonderful partner, so it's important for us to show them that there is community support and demand for Complete Streets,” he said. 
  
There have already been some early wins with MDOT, according to Eldridge, for example this summer’s Woodward resurfacing project includes some enhanced crosswalks for pedestrians.   

“We want as much input as possible,” Eldridge said.   

This isn't just about runners and cyclists and walkers, he said. It’s about everyone.  

Complete Streets is about informed consent, he said. 

If You Go

All events are free and no registration is required. All ages are welcome, and more information is available at the project's website.

Monday, June 10

• Community meeting & presentation: 5-7 p.m. 
• Drop-in hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Tuesday, June 11 

• First Walking Audit (starting at Northwood Shopping Center) and Interactive Design Workshop: 9 a.m.-Noon 
• Second Walking Audit (starting at the former Field Art Building, 24242 Woodward Avenue, Pleasant Ridge): 3-5 p.m.       
  
• Drop-in: 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. 

Wednesday, June 12

• Plan Concepts Presentation: 5-7 p.m. 
• Drop-in: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

As with every day of the event, WA3 officials and experts with Parsons Brinckerhoff Michigan Inc. consulting firm will be available to answer questions from the public during 'drop-in' hours throughout the day. For more information, visit the project's website.