Crosswalk approved for Oak and Woodward

As part of the Woodward resurfacing project between 14 Mile Road and Quarton by Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), a pedestrian crosswalk will be installed at the intersection of Oak and Woodward and Birmingham city commissioners approved paying $107,000 towards the project at their meeting on Monday, January 22.

City engineer Paul O’Meara noted that the marked crosswalk at the intersection of Oak and Woodward, which will cost a total of $251,000, “Is an important move forward in our multi-modal improvements. A marked crosswalk would greatly improve accessibility for the public, particularly for those who live on the east side of Woodward in the Poppleton Park area.”

Birmingham’s portion of the cost will be $107,502, which will be paid directly to MDOT, and come from the city’s major street fund. The work is expected to take place in the 2018 construction year.

“In addition, as is typically done with federal aid projects, the local benefitting agency is expected to pay 100 percent of the design costs…which MDOT is estimating at $18,500,” O’Meara said.

In addition, O’Meara said MDOT is going to do pavement marking for crosswalks in eight locations for handicap ramps and make improvements with new continental style pavement markings, using 24 inches wide bars spaced 24 inches apart.

“We will have to agree to the maintenance costs, which is estimated at about $70,000 every four years,” O’Meara said.

“I assume the maintenance is painting,” asked mayor Andy Harris.

“No, it’s a plastic material that lasts about four years,” responded O’Meara.

Commissioner Patty Bordman asked about how many crosswalks they were referring to, and O’Meara said eight. “So it’s less than $10,000 a crosswalk spread out over four years,” she noted. “We want our residents to be able to access both sides of the city.”

“We have been working on this a long, long time. Staff has been diligent on working with MDOT. This is a big step in achieving the goal and in achieving a safer road,” said commissioner Mark Nickita.

Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve both the Oak and Woodward crosswalk allocation and the maintenance project for the eight other crosswalks.