Council receives M-36 corridor study and votes to release draft for public comment

Mason — Consultants from Spalding DeDecker presented a draft M-36 corridor improvement plan to the Mason City Council on Feb. 17, 2025, outlining short‑ and long‑term options to improve safety and nonmotorized connections along Cedar Street (M-36) and the council voted 5-0 to receive the draft and release it for public review and comment.

The study, presented by Cassie Bridal, planning manager and lead planner with Spalding DeDecker, and Dan Troia, a corridor engineer with the firm, evaluated existing conditions, crash history, pavement condition and multimodal needs along segments of M-36 from US-127 toward Ash Street. "We're here to present the M-36 corridor improvement plan, discuss findings, and the release of the report for public comment," Bridal said at the start of the presentation.

The consultants used a SEMCOG multimodal evaluation tool and MDOT screening criteria, and they reported average annual daily traffic (AADT) of about 12,000 vehicles in the higher‑volume segment. Troia said that figure equates to roughly 3,000 vehicles per lane in a four‑lane configuration and that, based on his experience, several four‑ and five‑lane sections could operate acceptably following a conversion to a three‑lane cross section (one travel lane each direction plus a center left‑turn lane). "One of the first things that jumped out at me ... was the traffic volumes, and they're right about 12,000 in the higher segment," Troia said.

Study findings and recommendations

- Short-term, low‑cost option: stripe a road diet within the existing curb line to convert outside traffic lanes into buffered, delineated nonmotorized lanes (temporary delineators and pavement markings were suggested). The consultants said this can be piloted with modest cost and without major reconstruction.

- Mid/long-term option: full reconstruction to add separated multiuse paths, widened nonmotorized space and tree/landscape buffers, requiring right‑of‑way acquisition and higher construction costs.

- Signal and intersection work: the report recommends traffic studies to inform signal phasing, including potential use of flashing yellow arrows and protected left phases where modeling shows they are warranted. Troia explained that a three‑lane configuration can reduce vehicle conflict points and, where appropriate, allow flashing yellow arrow operations instead of split‑phase signals.

- Multimodal scoring and funding: the consultants used SEMCOG and MDOT tools to show that pedestrian and bicycle comfort scores improve under several of the proposed configurations with minor impact to automobile or freight performance. The report lists next steps tied to MDOT and NEPA screening and suggests pursuing grants such as TAP and other capital funding to implement elements over a 20‑year vision.

City context and next steps

The city manager told council members the purpose of bringing a draft now is to avoid surprises and to enable staff to begin stakeholder meetings and targeted outreach to adjacent property owners. The manager said the draft will be posted for public review and return to council after comment: "If there is anything that you would not want us to release at this point, then we'll go back to the drawing board, fix some things before we go out to the public for comment," the city manager said.

Council members asked technical questions about left‑turn lanes, whether dedicated left‑turn signals would be installed at Columbia and Cedar, where MDOT retains signal control, and how traffic modeling would determine needed signal phasing. The consultants repeatedly noted that MDOT and signal studies would determine whether a protected left (arrow) is required and that lane conversions or signal changes would rely on traffic counts and modeling.

The council voted 5-0 to approve Resolution 2025-12 to receive the draft M‑36 corridor improvement plan and release the draft for public review and comment. Planning staff told council that the planning commission has already seen the draft and that staff will pursue stakeholder meetings, MDOT coordination and grant opportunities.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2025‑12 (Receive draft M‑36 corridor improvement plan and release for public review and comment): approved 5-0.

- Ordinance 260 (amend Chapter 50, Planning Commission — second reading and adoption): approved 5-0.

- Ordinance 261 (rezoning 104 S. Lansing from M-1 to C-1 — introduction and first reading): introduction/first reading approved 5-0; will return after planning commission public hearing.

- Change order #1 — Studio Intrigue Architects (prepare construction documents for Phase 1 First Floor City Hall) — $1,500: authorized 5-0. Council discussion noted that city staff relocated movable walls and that the change order covers modifications to lighting, sprinklers and permitting tied to those relocations.

- Resolution 2025‑10 (approval of fireworks permit application — Ingham County Fair Foundation/Pyrotechnic Fireworks Inc.): approved 5-0. A separate motion to waive the $200 permit fee for the display failed 2-3.

- Resolution 2025‑11 (approve scope and schedule for 2025–2029 Parks, Recreation and Nonmotorized Plan update; authorize staff to prepare a draft): approved 5-0.

Why this matters

Council members and staff framed the plan as a 20‑year vision that will guide conversations with MDOT, Ingham County and property owners so the city is prepared when development or funding opportunities arise. The draft is intended to establish expectations for access points, signal operations and nonmotorized connections so permitting and grant applications can proceed with documented technical evaluation.

What to expect next

The draft M‑36 corridor plan will be released for public review and comment; staff and consultants will hold targeted stakeholder meetings with adjacent property owners and coordinate further studies (signal modeling, NEPA screening and right‑of‑way needs). Any final plan or implementation would require further council action, grant funding and MDOT approvals.