Ann Arbor officials invite residents to public meeting on Miller Avenue improvements
This year, it's Dexter Avenue. In 2014, it's going to be Jackson Avenue. But in between those two projects, Miller Avenue will be under construction in 2013.
Ann Arbor officials are holding a public meeting later this month to discuss the significant improvements planned for Miller Avenue from Maple to Newport.
The city is completing the designs for the project, which will include repaving, utility replacements, improved bicycle lanes, improved pedestrian crossings, installation of sidewalks and stormwater upgrades. City officials said the designs are based on comments gathered from residents during a pair of public workshops held in 2009.
The draft plans for the project will be reviewed at the upcoming meeting and comments will be gathered from the public prior to completing the plans. The meeting takes place at 7 p.m. July 25 at Cavalry United Methodist Church, 1415 Miller Ave.
For more information, residents can contact Nick Hutchinson at 734-794-6410 ext. 43633 or nhutchinson@a2gov.org.
View Miller Avenue project in a larger map
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
Barbara E. O'Donnell
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 6:34 p.m.
It would have been thoughtful to have posted this a few days ago - Lower speed on Miller - Corner of Miller and Brooks is a death trap with heavy traffic - Thank you for reading this and wishing you luck with a safe solution to traffic on Miller -
leaguebus
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 4:45 p.m.
They need to put a stop sign at Duncan St. The Haisley school busses all use Duncan to enter Miller twice a day, plus there are several AATA bus stops on Miller where people must cross Miller. With the volume of traffic at rush hours, it sometimes take 3 or 4 minutes to cross Miller. Stopping at Duncan would slow traffic down so that pedestrians and cars would have a decent chance to cross all along Miller.
brimble
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 2:25 p.m.
The challenge for Miller is that the City clearly views it as a major artery to and from downtown. Residents might prefer that it not be. The road is in embarrassing condition now, but smooth pavement might encourage more traffic. Should Jackson/Huron experience the proposed 4-to-3 conversion, even more commuters will use each Dexter and Miller as alternate routes, further increasing traffic volume. This falls into the category of "be careful what you wish for"....
CynicA2
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 6:28 p.m.
Problem with making it into 4 lanes is that from Seventh St. to Main St. it is forever 2 lanes, unless you want to have a lane that goes where someone's front porch currently resides. And from Seventh to Main is forever the bottleneck at rush hour, especially with A2's professional grade (not) traffic signal controls and the double-wide bike lanes. A wonder anyone can get anywhere, anymore.
Peregrine
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 3:33 p.m.
@brimble: There's nothing contradictory about Huron being a major artery and wanting better pedestrian access. Why shouldn't pedestrians be able to walk along (on the sidewalk) and to cross safely and conveniently?
brimble
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 3:22 p.m.
@say it plain -- I don't live in that neighborhood, so I am speculating. Residents who live on and near Jackson/Huron are calling for better pedestrian access, etc. and they, too, knew that they were buying next to a major road, too. Personally, I'd like to see it function as a major artery: let's make this one a proper four-lane road and create some alternatives to Jackson/Huron from the west.
say it plain
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
I'm sorry, but why would residents expect it to be anything other than a major artery to and from downtown?! It stretches from Main Street to Maple, runs parallel to Huron, and is the nearest intersection with Maple from which to get to the new high school if you're coming from some of that feeder neighborhood. I can't imagine living on Miller or just behind it and *not* understanding that this road will see traffic. The idea that residents should wonder whether improvements are a good thing is such a bizarre example of NIMBYism...Miller Road residents have a busy straight-line-to-downtown-from-Maple/Stadium street in their "backyards", d'oh!, pretty obvious when you moved in! If the traffic feels 'light' now it's only because folks in the know about Miller's shocking condition might prefer inconvenience over wrecked suspensions!
Mike
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 1:54 p.m.
Good thing it is only two lanes so they can't narrow it.............
Chimay
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 3:38 p.m.
Campbell ... I was poking fun at our elected officials, not bikes, as I am frustrated with my council representation and the mayor around a number issues, not just the roads. In fact, I ride a bike around town as well and am fully supportive of creating a town that works for everyone - those who drive, or bike, or walk. I have never once negatively commented on biking in this city so the 'ad nauseum' comment doesn't apply.
Jack Campbell
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 2:34 p.m.
Yeah, sucks that people have a place to ride bikes in this city! At least it gives you a comment you can reuse over and over ad nauseum.
Chimay
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 2:24 p.m.
I know right ... but, they can narrow Miller to one lane heading exclusively into town and redirect the traffic heading out of town to Huron. That would be consistent with whatever they are thinking.
aabikes
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 1:51 p.m.
Awesome, the bike lanes are currently atrocious. With that grade, and actual smooth pavement, maybe we can finally FLY into town without vibrating all the parts off our bikes. Looking forward to this much.