Project Announcement – Moon Rd and Bemis Rd Intersection
The Washtenaw County Road Commission (WCRC) is excited to announce an additional project planned during the 2018 construction season at the intersection of Moon Road and Bemis Road.
Why now? In 2015, state lawmakers approved an increase in road funding that went into effect on January 1, 2017. In addition, the residents of Washtenaw County passed a four-year road millage in 2016. This means county road commissions finally have additional funding to improve their roads. This increase also means WCRC can better invest in county intersections to address congestion and safety issues by reinstating its intersection improvement program.
For 2018, WCRC has decided to use some of these funds to improve the safety and reduce congestion at the intersection of Moon Road and Bemis Road on the border of Pittsfield and York Townships.
What will the improvement look like? WCRC is planning to build a roundabout at this intersection. A roundabout is the ideal solution because it can move traffic through an intersection more efficiently and with less congestion than a traditional intersection. Roundabouts are also one of the safest options available and they are typically more cost-effective than a traditional signal.
Why this intersection? WCRC monitors numerous intersections across the county for congestion and safety. Currently the Moon Road and Bemis Road intersection sees more than 13,000 travelers each day. This four-way stop experiences periods of heavy congestion during peak hours.
While this is not the only intersection in the county with these issues, this intersection is an ideal candidate for the 2018 construction season due to a number of factors including: geometry of the intersection and surrounding land, drainage, underground utility locations, etc.
This means WCRC can solve a lot of issues in a cost efficient and timely manner.
How long will the project take to build? It is estimated WCRC will take 3-4 weeks to build the roundabout, weather pending. During this time, the intersection will be completely closed to traffic and a detour will be posted. Construction is expected to occur this Fall.
How can I get more information? Once the design is complete and a construction schedule is finalized, WCRC will hold a public information meeting. WCRC will post project updates online at www.wcroads.org and on its Facebook and Twitter pages. Interested residents can sign-up for weekly road work updates at https://www.wcroads.org/weekly-road-work-update/.
For specific questions on this project, contact Mark McCulloch at [email protected] or (734) 327.6679.
