Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DTE closing Beaconsfield during 9 Mile reconstruction; residents and council raise traffic and business impacts
Summary
City staff reported a DTE utility project closed Beaconsfield at 9 Mile Road without prior city notice and that the closure may last several weeks; residents and councilmembers expressed concern about diverted traffic and the possible business and safety impacts of a proposed road diet on 9 Mile.
City staff told the council on Aug. 19 that a DTE project has closed Beaconsfield on the north side of 9 Mile Road and that the utility company did not notify the city in advance. The city manager said the closure could last several weeks and provided a DTE phone number for residents to report issues: (586) 445-5053 (extension 6001). City staff said construction progressed from neighboring Saint Clair Shores into Eastpointe and that inclement weather had caused a short delay in center-concrete pours.
Residents and councilmembers raised two linked concerns: whether traffic diverted from 9 Mile is increasing volume on alternate roads such as Stevens and Topher, and how a long-term lane reduction or "road diet" on 9 Mile might affect businesses and emergency response. A public commenter, Jennifer Nicholas, asked whether traffic-volume studies had been done for alternate routes while the 9 Mile reconstruction is underway and whether agencies such as MDOT would evaluate traffic levels on those detour routes. She also urged residents to continue patronizing local businesses affected by construction.
Councilmembers said making the street safer is a priority and noted there have been pedestrian fatalities on 9 Mile in recent years; some councilmembers said traffic-calming measures are intended to prevent crashes in the first place, while others emphasized that emergency-response times and vehicle access are also critical and asked for a fuller assessment before permanent lane reductions.
City manager and public-works staff said they would continue to monitor construction impacts and public-safety concerns and will post updates on the city website. Staff asked residents to use the DTE contact number for immediate construction-related problems at Beaconsfield and to call city hall for additional information. The manager also noted a related demolition and new construction activity at the Sheetz site adjacent to the closure area.
Ending: The council did not take a formal action on a road-diet proposal at this meeting; members asked for additional information on traffic volumes and the potential effects on businesses and emergency response before any permanent change is considered.
