Brandon Twp.- Ron Padgett has found a sign.
After installing a 12-foot-digital full color sign on the east side of M-15, Padgett, the owner of the Ortonville Smokehouse, 915 S. Ortonville Road, is beginning to see some return on his investment.
‘It’s a little too early to say, but I’d say the sign has brought in business and increased awareness,? he said.
Padgett and other businesses along M-15 are starting to cash in from a continual increase in traffic along the major highway.
According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, since 1996, the average volume of traffic on M-15 has increased by 7,400 vehicles crossing Oakwood Road and increased 3,600 for traffic crossing Seymour Lake Road. The traffic has recently added to a spike in commercial development, including two projects so far this year.
‘We want smart development,? said, Ron Lapp, Brandon Township supervisor.
‘Our planning commission has done a great job’I know the environmental groups are upset but the property along M-15 is zoned commercial.?
Lapp said he will notifiy the Michigan State Police to conduct a traffic speed survey to determine if 50 mph is the right speed for the section of road.
‘We recognize that traffic is an issue,? Lapp said. ‘We work on the access management by limiting the curb cuts and entrances to the highway.?
Lapp, who has served on the M-15 Task Force, a group of citizens studying possible changes to the highway and the impact on the communities it passes through, says the expansion to four lanes remains on the back burner.
‘Money is the biggest issue to improvements to M-15, the federal dollars are available for the project, but the state has to have matching funds. It’s just not going to happen.?
Oakwood Seymour Lake * 2006 18,600 18,700 2003 17,100 18,200 2000 20,200 n/a 1996 11,200 15,100 *The average daily traffic for both ways on M-15 at two intersctions from the Michigan Department of Transportation.Oakwood Seymour Lake *