Lapeer commission authorizes Genesee Street road diet study and pedestrian-crossing design

The Lapeer City Commission on Aug. 18 voted to authorize staff to pursue design work for a Genesee Street road diet and a pedestrian crossing between M-24 and Saginaw Street, directing city staff and traffic engineers to develop options for the corridor and return to the commission with recommended plans.

The authorization, approved by voice vote after extended discussion, directs staff to work with the engineering consultants who prepared the traffic study to produce design drawings and consider alternatives including a three‑lane “road diet,” striped bike lanes, painted pedestrian crossings and, if warranted, a future pedestrian refuge or HAWK (High-intensity Activated crossWalK) system.

City staff said the original study — developed with consultant Paul O’Meara of Roe and traffic engineer Haley Sabula — found the corridor could be converted from four lanes to three without a measurable decrease in peak‑hour traffic flow. Sabula told commissioners that, under standard practice, bike lanes would need to terminate at the M‑24 and Saginaw intersections because the available width is constrained at both ends. “You would have to stop at both ends at the M‑24 and Saginaw intersections because there’s not enough room,” Sabula said.

Commissioners pressed staff about safety, emergency‑vehicle access and how changes would affect left‑turning traffic near Hungry Howie’s and the park. Several commissioners said they preferred a staged approach: implement a three‑lane section and improved striping first, then monitor traffic and crash data before adding an island or a more expensive HAWK signal. “I’m just asking for authority to work with the engineers to help design this stuff,” the city manager said during the discussion. The manager emphasized that additional traffic counts and targeted studies would be brought back for board approval before any construction or additional consultant fees were authorized.

Consultants and commissioners cited safety gains in the study. Paul O’Meara said the analysis showed a reduction in crashes tied to lane‑change and turning conflicts when through lanes are narrowed and a dedicated center left lane is added. The report attached to the packet noted an average daily traffic volume of 14,475 vehicles on the study day and FHWA guidance that road diets tend to operate effectively up to about 20,000 vehicles per day.

Commissioners also discussed non‑construction alternatives and incremental treatments: improving signage, adding wide marked crosswalks and “Stop for Pedestrians” signs, and connecting sidewalks to the park and the planned tunnel trail. Commissioners noted state jurisdiction over some signal timing at the M‑24 intersections and that any signal‑timing changes would need coordination with MDOT.

Costs and design choices were a recurring theme. The HAWK system — a user‑activated mid‑block signal described in the meeting — was estimated by staff to be roughly a $300,000 installation, including foundations and electrical work; commissioners said that level of expense should be considered only if pedestrian counts and conditions justify it. Sabula said the planned MDOT bridge work at the corridor includes six‑foot sidewalks on both sides of the bridge, which factored into the consultants’ recommendations.

The motion to authorize staff to pursue Genesee Street road‑diet and pedestrian‑crossing design work was made by Commissioner Swindell, supported by Commissioner Glisman, and carried by the commission.

Votes at a glance The meeting record shows the commission took these other final actions (summary): - Approved the bill listing for Aug. 18, 2025, in the amount of $4,968,479.09 (motion by Commissioner Brady; supported by Commissioner Swindell; motion carried). - Approved a bid from DH Rentals & Rehab LLC for construction of an election storage room, not to exceed $5,479.68, and the corresponding FY 2025–26 budget amendment (motion carried). - Approved a contract with Johnson & Wood Mechanical Contractor for demolition/disposal and installation of two new boilers at the wastewater treatment plant, amount not to exceed $205,540, and an HVAC maintenance contract not to exceed $4,071; city manager authorized to sign documents (motion by Commissioner Swindell; supported by Commissioner Glisman; motion carried). - Approved a quote from Timberquest Construction Company for a 20‑by‑30 pavilion at the Lapeer Community Center and authorized the parks director to execute the agreement (motion by Commissioner Brady; supported by Commissioner Swindell; motion carried). - Appointed Brody Campbell to the EDC/TIFA/Brownfield Redevelopment Authority through March 1, 2031 (motion carried). - Reappointed Andrew Harrington to the Local Development Finance Authority through Aug. 1, 2027 (motion carried).

Why it matters Commissioners framed the vote as a safety and access initiative tied to broader downtown and park improvements — including a planned tunnel under Genesee Street — that may increase pedestrian and bicycle crossings. The direction to design options preserves flexibility: staff and the consultants are to return with final designs and any requests for additional studies or funds before construction.

What’s next Staff and the consultant team will prepare design options for the Genesee corridor and return to the commission for further direction and final approvals. Additional traffic counts and targeted studies during identified peak conditions were discussed as likely next steps.