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Sterling Heights details traffic‑calming, median and crossing plans; applies for federal SS4A and other grants
Summary
City engineers updated council on traffic‑calming measures completed in 2024 and planned for 2025, including speed cushions, median islands, crosswalk upgrades, school crossing improvements, a $2 million SS4A demonstration grant application, and a proposed $25 million corridor implementation grant.
Sterling Heights — City engineers told the City Council on Tuesday that a suite of traffic‑calming and pedestrian safety improvements completed or planned across Sterling Heights are guided by a newly adopted Comprehensive Safe Transportation Action Plan and supported by local and federal grant applications.
City Engineer Brent Bayshaw reported the city installed speed cushions on Brome Drive in 2024 and added cushions this year on Hillsdale Drive and Fox Hill Drive, which reduced average speeds. Median islands were installed at subdivision entrances off 19 Mile and 18 Mile, and pavement markings, curb extensions and other pedestrian improvements were completed at school locations including Stevenson High School and Hafe Elementary School.
Bayshaw said the city applied this summer for a U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) demonstration grant — a $2,000,000 application that would fund speed cushions at roughly 10 locations, ladder‑style high‑visibility crosswalk pavement markings at major roadways and about 60 school crossings, curb extensions, pedestrian refuge islands and other neighborhood interventions. He said the city’s traffic task force continues to accept traffic‑calming requests at www.sterlingheights.gov/trafficcalming.
On larger corridors the city is pursuing an implementation grant for the Ryan Road corridor: Bayshaw said staff applied this summer for a $25,000,000 program for phase 1 (14 Mile to 16 Mile Road) that would include pedestrian boulevards and improvements at high‑crash intersections such as 15 Mile and Ryan Road. Bayshaw also said staff applied for two highway grants through the state (one for $750,000 for Sol and Stadler and a second for the Utica/19.5‑mile triangle area) to fund crossings, curb bump‑outs and other safety investments.
Bayshaw described additional work: lane narrowing and associated traffic calming on Plum Brook Road, mid‑block crossing improvements at Hamilton Drive (near Schwartzkopf Elementary), dual left‑turn phasing to address confusing lane patterns in Dodge Park, and median construction on Ketson Drive and Brome Drive. He also said the city is planning lighting for Metro Parkway between Van Dyke and Shaner and that the current work on 17 Mile Road and 18 Mile Road incorporates median island work.
Council members asked about prioritization and environmental or right‑of‑way constraints. Bayshaw said the projects will be prioritized in coming months by the traffic task force and the city will coordinate with state and county partners as necessary. He said the SS4A and other grant timelines will inform near‑term project selection.
Mayor Taylor and Council members thanked staff for compiling the active dashboard of resident requests and the ongoing safety emphasis. The council did not take separate formal action on the package during the meeting; staff will pursue the grant applications and return with project updates.
