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Posted on Sun, May 23, 2010 : 7:53 a.m.

Two traffic trouble spots in Ann Arbor need attention

By Letters to the Editor

I am a resident of Ward 4, and I would like to make two requests that I think will make life in our fair city better.

The first deals with the issue of the pedestrian signals at the corner of Packard and Main. The traffic lights at the intersection are confusing enough, but to have to press the pedestrian button to safely cross in any direction is even more confusing. I have had to wait through an extra cycle of traffic lights while waiting for the pedestrian light to indicate that it's my turn to cross. Many people, myself included, just take a chance and cross when they think it's okay. Please find a way to make the pedestrian signals automatic at that intersection.

My second issue deals with the intersection at the post office and West Stadium. This is a real disaster of an intersection for both cars and pedestrians. Turning left from the westbound lane into the post office is a nightmare. I would like to propose changing the dynamic of the post office's traffic flow. Cars could enter at what is now the exit driveway. The current entrance driveway could be closed, and traffic routed behind the post office to the road just east of the post office, where the traffic light will assist them in turning both left and right in a safer manner.

I realize this is federal government property, but there must be some way that the city can negotiate this with the feds. There may not be an excess of accidents at that intersection, but there are too many near misses, and the flow is completely dependent on drivers' courteous behavior. Most Ann Arborites show great courtesy, but in this case it is too big a risk!

Laurie A. Schwartz Ann Arbor

Comments

Joe Hood

Sun, May 23, 2010 : 8:33 p.m.

Likely, the local postmaster has authority to change the traffic flow at the post office.

Craig Lounsbury

Sun, May 23, 2010 : 8:03 a.m.

I like your post office traffic flow plan. As to pushing a button to activate the pedestrian crossing signal being "confusing" I don't buy that at all. It should only be confusing to people who ought not be wandering around without adult supervision.