Signs designed to drive traffic out of subdivision

The Rochester Hills Department of Public Services will be installing a series of traffic control signs intended to reduce cut-through traffic speeding through the Judson Park subdivision, located between Adams and Brewster, north of Tienken Road.

Rochester Hills City Engineer Paul Davis told city council members on Monday, December 3, that the city's advisory traffic and safety board suggested limiting turning into the subdivision between early morning hours on school days to restrict traffic in the area. However, the department recommended implementing temporary traffic control orders to monitor the situation and raise awareness of traffic issues among motorists in the area.

Davis said the city conducted five traffic studies in the area as part of planning for the Premier Academy, which is not yet in operation.

"There was concern for traffic speeding through the subdivision and cutting through. When we studied it, we found it's already terrible. Cars are already speeding, and there is terrible cut-through traffic," Davis said.

In monitoring traffic, Davis said one traffic study found 83 percent of the traffic in the subdivision is cut-through traffic going between Brewster and Adams roads. Further, the median speed of the traffic was about 31 mph.

"We haven't seen anything like that in a subdivision," he said, referencing typical cut-through traffic is about seven percent.

To address the problem, the city and subdivision homeowners' association had discussed the possibility of installing speed bumps along the roads to reduce speeds, and ultimately, traffic. However, the cost of installing the speed reduction devices could be prohibitive. Rather, he said, the department recommends implementing turn limits on a temporary basis, then returning to city council within 90 days to recommend a permanent fix.

Restrictions in the area will include no left turns from northbound Brewster to westbound Shenandoah from 6:30 to 730 a.m.; no right turn from southbound Brewster onto westbound Shenandoah from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.; no left turn from northbound Brewster onto westbound Roseview from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.; No right turn from southbound Brewster to westbound Roseview from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. All of the restrictions would be limited to school days only.

Additionally, the city will implement no stopping, standing or parking within the north right of way of Potomac Drive from Adams Road easterly for 500 feet between the hours of 7 and 8 a.m. and 2 and 3 p.m. on school days only.

No action was taken by council on the issue, as temporary traffic control orders may be implemented by the department and enforced by the sheriff's office for a maximum of 90 days without council approval. Davis said the department would return prior to the expiration of the orders with a recommendation to retain the signs and/or a recommendation to install speed humps in the area.