“It’s Time to Listen to the Experts: We Must Have a Solution to Our Traffic Issues”

by Bob DeCorte, Vice President of Operations and Engineering DirectorTraffic Improvement Association of Oakland County

The Traffic Improvement Association of Oakland County (TIA) was founded 37 years ago because of a fatal traffic accident near Oakland University. During a period of one year, 200 business leaders, police, engineers, city, county and township officials met and compiled a list of 93 recommendations that should be implemented to improve traffic safety. One of those recommendations was to form a non-profit organization, TIA, to implement the other 92 recommendations. Therefore, TIA was born in March of 1967. Since then we have added reducing traffic congestion to our other goal of improving traffic safety. These are the same goals as the Commerce Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

During the past 30 or 40 years we have seen several attempts to reach those two lofty goals in our area by building a north-south road. The original plan was to continue Northwestern Highway to join I-275, which would continue north to I-75; that was stopped by local citizens. In the 1970’s, local citizens stopped I-275. In the 1980’s, local citizens stopped M-275. In the 1990’s, local citizens stopped M-5 at Pontiac Trail. In 2003 local citizens told the Michigan Department of Transportation that we didn’t want their $50 million to build a north-south road between I-96 and M-59. Here we are in 2004 still trying to build a north-south road to reduce congestion and improve traffic safety.

At a recent Commerce DDA meeting, I heard attendees talking about goals such as reducing speeds, traffic calming, three-lane roads, and other traffic related issues. These are the basis of traffic congestion. Our area already has slow speeds due to congestion; we already have traffic calming in the form of congestion, and because our roads only have two through lanes, we already have traffic patterns similar to three-lane roads. We have already reached our goals of slow speeds and calmed traffic!

We need to put our biases, pre-conceived notions and unfounded myths aside and rely on professional traffic and road engineers and planners. For instance, some have called for three-lane roads as opposed to four. Three-lane roads have a capacity similar to two-lane roads. The primary purpose of a three-lane road is to provide a center lane for left turns so that motorists don’t have to block a through lane waiting to make a left turn. There are only two through lanes on a three-lane road, exactly the same as on a two-lane road. Neither two-lane roads, nor three-lane roads provide a lane for drivers to pass slower vehicles, such as trucks. Therefore, speeds are limited to the slowest vehicle in the area, creating congestion. If the projected traffic demand requires a five-lane road then a five-lane road should be built and if only a three-lane road is required then only a three-lane road should be built.

Several steps can be taken to reduce traffic congestion and improve traffic safety in addition to widening roads. A change in Michigan law would allow local governments to charge developers a development impact fee that could be put into escrow for future road improvement projects. Currently it is illegal for local governments to require land developers to make improvements off-site. So, a project could be built that would increase traffic in the area and the road agency is left with the bill to improve the roads to accommodate the traffic generated by the new development.

Another tool is for local governments to require Traffic Impact Statements, which are reports of existing and projected traffic based on the proposed development. This report and its data allow a local agency to determine what new traffic can be expected and how the developer intends to accommodate it.

Local governments could work with road agencies to control access to sites based on Access Management Practices. This would go a long way in limiting driveways onto major thoroughfares. Every site deserves access; however, sites don’t necessarily require several access points. An example is gas stations. Only two driveways are needed, one driveway on each major road, but often four driveways are permitted. Each driveway has its share of turning, stopping, slowing and accelerating movements that cause traffic congestion and traffic accidents. The fewer the driveways the less congestion and accidents.

We need a plan! Not a static plan, but a dynamic plan that flows with the developmental changes in the area. The plan must include all of the tools available: Access Management Practices, Traffic Impact Statements, developers’ cooperation, adherence to engineers’ and planners’ experience that are based a history of research, studies, tests and ‘best practices.’ Traffic engineers have the same goals that we have, just stated a little differently: “to move people and cargo as safely and efficiently as possible.”

Every one, every group and every interest should be heard, with emphasis on the experts, then a consensus should be strongly supported by everyone, every group and every interest. If not, another decade will have flown by and there will be another group trying to “decrease traffic congestion and improve traffic safety” in the face of even more congestion, more accidents and at a higher cost than today.

A Frank Discussion with the Road Commission for Oakland County and the DDA

Editor’s Note: The Commerce Township DDA has received questions from area citizens regarding road widening and the development of new roads. Bob Shimmin, Chairman of the DDA board, recently spoke with Brian Blaesing, Director of Planning and Development for the Road Commission for Oakland County, who answered the questions. The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) is the county-level road agency made up of local road professionals. The agency has served the needs of Oakland County for more than 80 years. We believe its important to share Mr. Blaesings answers with you.

Question: What are the steps that must happen before a road is widened?

Answer: There are five major steps to widening a county road:
First, is to identify the funding by amount and source (or agency). This can take several years of talking and budgeting.
Second, we must get commitments for those funds by drafting agreements or contracts with each agency involved, and then obtaining official signatures. This can take many months as we go through various boards and councils for approval.
Third, is Preliminary Engineering or P.E. This starts with a detailed field survey of conditions. Next we draw preliminary plans. Then we conduct an Environmental Assessment, host public involvement meetings and an official Public Hearing. Finally, we need federal concurrence on our findings, and once acquired, we are allowed to complete final construction plans.
Fourth, we acquire the land necessary to assemble the road right-of-way in which the road will be constructed. This could involve one or up to 50 parcels, all of which need to be appraised and negotiated. Some must be legally condemned by a court of law.
And lastly, we send out the plans and accept bids from contractors. We take the low bid, hire that company, sign a construction contract, and have the road built — under our watchful eyes, of course.

Question: How long does it usually take to build a new road?

Answer: Although it is hard for the motoring public to accept, building a new road or widening an old one, takes from 4 to 6 years after funding is identified. As mentioned previously, funding can take 3–5 years alone, as there is never enough money. On big jobs, it’s not unusual for the environmental work, the Right of Way, and the Construction to each take two years to complete.

Question: How does the DDA secure funds for roads (widening or building)?

Answer: For Commerce Township or the DDA to get road funding, they need to work through the Road Commission, the qualified public agency, to apply for the 80% federal or state funds needed to make a road widening affordable. Road funding is awarded three years in advance and applications are taken only once a year. That means in Jan. '05 the Oakland county federal aid funding committee will select projects for funding in 2008. Additionally, since the Road Commission competes with all the cities and villages for the limited funds, there are typically requests for $180 million in project costs but only about $20 million available. Thus, your chances of getting funded are not favorable. Of course, if you do get the 80% funding, the Road Commission will pay 10% more, and Commerce Township or the DDA is expected to pay the remaining 10%.

Question: What local, state and national government organizations need to be involved in the process and why?

Answer: The good news is that, although Southeast Michigan Council of Government, Michigan Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration are all involved, the process of road funding is so well established, that once you get through the Oakland County Federal Aid Task Force which evaluates and ranks all the project submissions and awards the federal funds, your interaction with the other agencies is very little. The Road Commission handles those bureaucratic procedures for the townships because all the roads in the township are under our jurisdiction.

Question: What role can or do citizens play in the process?

Answer: Citizens can assist, or obstruct, the advancement of road projects. They can encourage or request their local officials to both include adequate township dollars in the budget to match the federal aid and to submit project applications through the Road Commission. They can also appear at public hearings and express their opinions of why the project is needed and how it will improve the quality of life for area residents. There also those who oppose these projects who quite often become the “vocal minority.” Their comments can in fact jeopardize projects.

Letter from the Director

I am pleased to present the second edition of Commerce Township Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) Voice. I’m sure that you are aware and have observed that portions of our community are undergoing change in a dramatic way. Preserving open space and improving traffic flow are two items high on the list for most of us. Other quality of life issues center around the availability of cultural and shopping resources. The DDA is addressing these issues with road improvements, a new commercial center and a municipal complex at M-5 and Pontiac Trail northerly to the existing southerly terminus of Martin Road.

The Martin Road southerly extension through the property to M-5 will relieve some of the congestion at M-5 and Pontiac Trail. According to our traffic experts, Metro Transport, approximately 25% (or 8,000 to 10,000 cars per day) of the M-5 traffic will use Martin Road. Martin Road is planned to be a four-lane boulevard, 35 MPH road with two interior roundabouts and a bridge over the wetlands in the center of the project. Haggerty Road currently carries between 35,000 and 40,000 cars daily and suffers from severe traffic congestion. The DDA also plans to widen Haggerty Road to five lanes from Richardson Road and Union Lake Roads southerly to Fourteen Mile and Haggerty Road. Some folks have objected to the widening of Haggerty Road to five lanes and suggest three lanes instead. Both the Road Commission of Oakland County and our traffic consultants, Metro Transport, have said three lanes would be a disaster. For those of you who travel Haggerty Road, I am soliciting your thoughts and your support for the five lane improvements.

A significant number of new jobs will be created by this project. In addition the increase in non-residential tax base will help provide Commerce with a well balanced economic base for employment and tax resource purposes well into the future of the Township. The two buildings pictured in this issue of The Voice located within the DDA area are the new Hammell Music Studio situated at the southeast corner of M-5 and Maple Road and the new Life Time Fitness Center located on Commerce Crossings Road directly across from Costco. These buildings, with their well thought out architectural appeal, will engender the construction of more well designed buildings consistent with the growing trend for a viable economic employment and tax base in our community.

Continuing on with the information about the DDA development at M-5 and Pontiac Trail; our preliminary estimates indicate that as many as 5,000 full time construction jobs (i.e. full time work for one year or 2,000 hours) and as many as 2,700 full time jobs, ongoing yearly jobs, will be created by the DDA development. An estimate of the full economic impact of the development is in process. The DDA has contracted for an environmental analysis of the impact of the development on the surrounding area as well as an analysis of the waters of Glengary Creek which flows:

• from West Bloomfield under Haggerty Road about 1400 feet north of Pontiac Trail into Commerce Township
  
• through a wetland into and through El Dorado and the Links at Pinewood golf courses
  
• through a residential area and under Welch Road through residential areas
  
• through a large wetland and under South Commerce Road just north of Glengary Road
  
• through a wetland and Maple Glen Park under Oakley Park Road and into a canal leading to Commerce Lake and down the Huron River.
  

The DDA has spent a great deal of time and effort to ensure the safety of the ecology of the area of the development and beyond.

It is important that each of you who are interested in the welfare of our community contact the DDA with your thoughts on our future. We have heard from a very small percentage of you and do wish to hear from more residents. Please contact Sandy Hermanoff or Melissa Moon-Burchart of our public affairs team at 248.851.3993.

Many times we only hear from those who oppose a particular project. We would like to hear from those who want to improve traffic flow through our community and those who support our efforts to bring a strong economic base and convenient shopping to our community as well.

The silent majority seldom speaks up. This is your community too and your voice should be heard also. We want to hear from you. We are putting a lot of time and effort into this project and would greatly appreciate your support as we work to improve our community.

Most of you are probably not aware that for many years a large portion of the State of Michigan property lying south of Wise Road between Carroll Lake and Union Lake Road was a lake called Pelletier Lake. Mr. Robert H. Long, the longest serving Township Supervisor, told me of hearing the dam burst while he was working on his farm on Commerce Road East of Bogie Lake Road early one afternoon in the late 1940’s. The resulting flood put the Village of Commerce under several feet of water. The new shopping plaza at Commerce and South Commerce Roads would have been completely flooded. For those of you who may be interested portions of the concrete forming the breast of the dam for the once Pelletier Lake can still be seen behind the old Commerce Cemetery on Commerce Road. It can be seen in the photo (outlined in red).

Sincerely,

E. Wynn Berry
DDA Director

DDA Helps Facilitate New Library

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is working closely with the Township Board to provide community services. The citizens of Commerce voted in November to renew millage to provide library services to the community. The Township has paid for and used library services of Milford, Walled Lake and West Bloomfield for many years. Starting in 2004, Milford had cancelled its contract with Commerce to provide library services leaving Walled Lake and West Bloomfield as library service providers for the 2004 year.

The Downtown Development Authority has committed to selling the Links of Pinewood club house to the Township for a library with construction on the conversion of the club house slated to begin in 2006. It will take approximately a year to complete the conversion.

The Township has decided to move forward with the library plan. In order to help facilitate the establishment of the library, the DDA has offered, at no cost other than utilities and maintenance, the 20,000 square foot El Dorado clubhouse for temporary library services until the library can be moved to the Links of Pinewood. Plans are to have the temporary El Dorado library open in April or May of 2005. The Township board is currently negotiating with Walled Lake and West Bloomfield libraries to provide services to the Commerce residents during this transition period. We will keep you up to date on these negotiations in the next issue of The Voice.

The DDA looks forward to having our own library and invites you to participate in our new venture by visiting the library this spring.

Commerce Township: Progress!

The drawing shown to the right is a representation of probable uses of the 320 acres acquired by the Downtown Development Authority at M-5 and Pontiac Trail. The plans call for a lifestyle shopping center in the lower right hand portion of the property and some auxiliary commercial space near the intersection of the access road to Welch Road and Martin Road as extended. A portion of the westerly section is anticipated to be purchased by the Walled Lake Schools. Between 70 and 90 acres will be left as open space for recreational and storm water retention purposes. A cultural and performing arts building may be located near the center of the project. A library and the new town hall will be located in the northerly edge of the central portion of the development.

The remaining majority of the property will be composed of residential construction. There will be a combination of bike and pedestrian paths linking the entire project. The current plan includes a trailhead for the lifestyle center, with the paths connecting to West Bloomfield pathways on Haggerty Road. There will be commonality in landscaping, lighting, architectural appearance and maintenance.

A name for the new center has yet to be selected; I encourage each of you to give some constructive thought to a name for this dynamic area and offer your suggestions. In addition, I am requesting that those of you who are interested in helping the Performing Arts Center set up an operating endowment group to contact Wynn Berry or our public affairs team at the number listed below.

Contact Wynn Berry at 248.895.4956.

Environmental Assessment Essential

With any significant construction project, environmental challenges must be addressed. The challenge for Commerce Township Downtown Development Association’s (DDA) proposed road improvements is to meet two main objectives and balance them to provide a manageable solution. Roadways must be improved to facilitate a safer and more efficient traffic route while minimizing the environmental impact on vital wetlands, lakes, woodlots and undisturbed areas.

“The environmental impact of the development is important to the DDA,” said Wynn Berry, Director of the DDA. “The retention of open spaces, floodplains and wetlands has been carefully planned by the DDA. Recreational activities both passive and active for portions of these areas are being reviewed as well.”

Peter Collins, project manager of ASTI Environmental, provided a briefing to members of the DDA, representatives of the Township Board and citizens at the DDA’s October 19, regular meeting. He described the relationships between elements under consideration in the Environmental Assessment (EA) process. He noted that the road improvements, floodplain choices, and bridge options were driven by water quality goals and by planned growth.

The DDA would like your input in this study. We welcome your comments, concerns and ideas. Please contact Wynn Berry (248.895.4956) or Loren Crandell with Giffels-Webster Engineers (248.852.3100).