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MTA and Burton officials discuss moving Saginaw–Whittemore bus stop amid safety and right-of-way concerns
Summary
MTA planners told the Burton DDA board they are exploring options — moving the stop slightly, placing a bench, or relocating across Whittemore — after safety and right-of-way concerns were raised by the Genesee County Road Commission and DPW; no formal relocation decision was made.
Dennis McDonough, director of planning for the Mass Transportation Authority (MTA), and Leslie Phillips, a planner with MTA, told Burton officials they have been asked to revisit the bus stop and shelter at Saginaw Street and Whittemore because of safety and right-of-way concerns raised by other agencies.
MTA said the stop’s current placement can block Whittemore when buses deploy ramps for wheelchair passengers. "The problem with where they put the stop is when our bus pulls up, it completely blocks Whittemore," McDonough said, noting ramp deployment can leave buses stopped for “a minute or 2, maybe even 3 minutes.” MTA said drivers have proposed either moving the stop a little farther from the corner so the bus does not block the roadway, or moving the stop across Whittemore near an auto shop — though drivers expressed concerns about cars frequently parking over the sidewalk at that location.
Leslie Phillips said MTA staff participated in the original planning and shelter design in 2018–19 and that the shelter had been part of a negotiated solution with riders and local officials. She said the Genesee County Road Commission later raised questions about the shelter’s placement during recent roadwork, and MTA was not contacted before some brick pavers at stops were removed during resurfacing. "We thought it would be okay," Phillips said of the shelter location; MTA later learned the road commission wanted it moved and began investigating alternatives.
MTA emphasized two concurrent priorities: passenger safety and accessibility for riders who use wheelchairs, and preserving the landscaped character of the downtown area where possible. The agency told the board it is considering installing a simple pad and bench if a full shelter cannot be accommodated. McDonough described the bench under consideration as "a 6-foot ... park-style ... metal ... all black" bench.
Board members and residents raised questions about whether the Genesee County Road Commission has authority over the site, noting Saginaw and Whittemore are not county-owned in that location, and urged MTA to coordinate closely with Burton’s Department of Public Works (DPW). Amber Abbey of Burton DPW (referenced by MTA) was identified as the staff contact MTA hopes to reach to finalize options.
No formal relocation decision or vote was taken; MTA said it will follow up with DPW and neighbors, and return with recommended options once it completes coordination and a traffic-safety review. MTA representatives said they had not received resident or rider complaints about the stop prior to the agency being contacted by the road commission. Several board members urged resolving any parking-over-sidewalk issues and restoring any removed landscaping or pads if the stop is moved.
Next steps described at the meeting: MTA will contact Amber Abbey and DPW staff, evaluate line-of-sight and ramp-deployment impacts, and report back to the board; no timeline was specified.
