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Public Meeting #2 Summary

By December 18, 2019Project Updates

Meeting Summary: On Monday, December 16, 2019, State Representative Ronnie Peterson, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Ypsilanti Township and the Washtenaw County Road Commission (WCRC) hosted the second public meeting to discuss the plan for improving US-12 and M-17 (Ecorse Road) in Ypsilanti Township. Approximately 45 people attended this meeting at the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church on Tyler Road. Staff from WCRC presented the plan for this project. Click here for the slides presented.

This project focuses on three goals:

  1. Improving safety for drivers and pedestrians
  2. Improving access to the West Willow Neighborhood
  3. Beautifying the US-12 corridor
The plan (see below) proposes a number of improvements, including but not limited to:
  • Street lighting from I-94 to the county line
  • Landscaping, beautification and improved signage
  • Different access to the West Willow Neighborhood
  • A narrower boulevard off I-94 to the intersection of M-17 and US-12
  • Simplified intersection of M-17 and US-12
  • Improved pedestrian crossing from the West Willow Neighborhood to the intersection of M-17 and Ford Blvd.
  • Removal of bridge and ramp access to US-12 to help make the US-12 feel less like a highway
The plan was created based on feedback from the community through a stakeholder brainstorming session, public meeting on October 29, and online comments; in addition to analysis of traffic models, budget projections and engineering judgment. The plan is a modified version of Option B: Boulevard with Traffic Signals presented to the public on October 29.
The project team heard additional feedback from residents at the December 16 meeting and is investigating these requests. Example requests include a traffic signal at the revised US-12 and Dorset Ave intersection, maintaining the Gates Ave approach on US-12, and improved pedestrian facilities on Service Drive. Another public meeting will be held in the summer of 2020 prior to the start of road construction.

Project Background: State Representative Ronnie Peterson, MDOT, Ypsilanti Township and WCRC have partnered to make improvements to the US-12 corridor between I-94 and Wiard Road, near the West Willow neighborhood and the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti Township. Rep. Peterson and Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo worked with MDOT to receive $8 million dollars for this project, with the goal of improving driver and pedestrian safety along this important corridor in eastern Ypsilanti Township.

The funding comes from the MDOT’s budget and must be spent on MDOT roads in this area. MDOT has partnered with Ypsilanti Township and WCRC to administer the project.

Project Timeline: The next step is to design the project, including roadway and drainage design, street lighting design with DTE, landscaping design with stakeholder input and utility coordination. The design phase is expected to last until spring 2020.

Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2020 with completion in the spring/summer of 2021.

Contact us: If you have any questions concerning this meeting, please contact Michele Ford, project manager, (734) 327-6652, [email protected].