Big Rapids residents urge immediate traffic-calming at Rose Avenue after late-night crash

Kimberly Bose Winkle, a resident of 821 Rose Avenue, told the Big Rapids City Commission that a late-night collision on Aug. 21 pushed three vehicles and a boat-trailer into the intersection of Rose Avenue and West Pere Marquette and that the driver walked away with only minor injuries.

"Since Chris Oil opened nearby, more traffic appears to be using Rose Avenue to avoid the light at Pere Marquette and State Street," Bose Winkle said during the meeting's public-comment period. "Speeding, reckless driving, and even racing are frequent problems." She asked the city to consider immediate steps to slow traffic, starting with stop signs in both directions and "ideally a flashing light in the future."

Bose Winkle said she has lived at the address eight years and identified several community institutions within blocks of the intersection: four schools, an adult foster care home and the Mecosta County Fairgrounds rear entrance. She said at least 13 children live on her block and that the August crash could have been far worse if it had occurred during daylight when children were outside.

Her husband, Dave Tree, described the force of the crash and called the lack of a posted speed reduction or stop signs between Northland Drive and the bridge a safety problem. "There's no time between. There is no stop sign between Northland Drive and Bridge," Tree said, adding that the posted speed is 25 mph but that "nobody knows that" because there are no posted speed signs in the stretch.

Samantha Quinsdale, who said she was the middle vehicle in the Aug. 21 crash, told commissioners she has been unable to drive her new vehicle since the collision. Quinsdale said the pickup for St. Mary's school is on Rose Street and that the pick-up line often backs onto Rose, contributing to congestion and unsafe conditions.

Commissioners cited a series of emails from Police Chief Haines acknowledging the neighborhood's concerns and describing enforcement steps: placement of a mobile speed trailer, targeted patrols during school drop-off and pickup, and the collection of speed data. Chief Haines' message, read into the record by a resident, said the speed trailer captured data showing a highest recorded speed of 48 mph and that officers would schedule extra enforcement in the coming weeks. The resident noted the most recent message in the file dated April 2023 and said she had observed only intermittent patrols since then.

Commissioners said staff would follow up on the requests and review options, including permanent signage, enforcement schedules and potential traffic-calming measures.

Residents who testified framed the problem as ongoing rather than a single incident: several said they had witnessed at least three serious crashes at the intersection over the years, including one that knocked down a light pole and exposed live wires. They urged the city to act before a child or resident is seriously injured.

Mayor and staff acknowledged the comments and said they had made notes for follow-up with police and public works.