By Meg Peters
Review Staff Writer
Some road commissioners thought it would never happen during this lifetime.
But for Orion Township drivers, great news is coming in the form of northbound/southbound construction improvements to two of Orion’s most popular roads.
Say hello to the four-lane Baldwin Rd. coming in 2017 and a modified Lapeer Rd. in 2016.
Both local projects were bumped ahead of two higher-prioritized projects at the Oct. 14 Oakland County Federal Aid Task Force meeting.
The Baldwin Rd. widening project and Lapeer Rd (M-24) traffic-flow improvement project were added to the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). Township. Supervisor Chris Barnett brought the motion to the table, which was approved unanimously.
The Baldwin Rd. widening project was first initiated in 2013 to the Oakland County Federal Aid Committee and the plan has not changed. Now there is a definitive timeline.
Baldwin construction will be divided into two phases. The first phase includes the widening of Baldwin Rd. to four lanes from Morgan Rd. to Gregory Rd. to begin in 2017. Phase two will widen Baldwin Rd. from Gregory to Waldon Rd. in 2018.
The four lanes will include five roundabouts, or traffic circles, instead of traffic lights.
Although Lapeer Rd. will not by widened, due to unavailable right of way on either side, Barnett said significant traffic flow improvements can be expected. Every intersection will be redesigned to increase traffic productivity between Harmon Rd. near the Palace of Auburn Hills and Goldengate by the Milosch Palace Chrysler Deep Dodge and Ram. There will no direct left-turns for the entire segment, meaning drivers will make Michigan-left turns to change direction.
The project, which will include the resurfacing of Lapeer and potential sidewalks, will take the entire construction season of 2016. During rush hour two lanes of traffic will be open northbound and southbound, but during the day only one lane will be in operation. Lapeer Rd. phase two, which isn’t slated yet, will extend until just north of Oxford.
Total cost in federal aid to widen Baldwin Rd. is $32.4 million with the requirement that Orion Township matches with $3.6 million.
Barnett said the township is in great shape to match the Baldwin Rd. project because past boards have budgeted close to $4 million for this specific project.
The Lapeer Rd. project requires no match.
‘Both projects are much needed corridor improvements, but not just because we are growing and we have new residential development,? Barnett said.
Many Orion Township residents first concern with new development is increase in traffic, which the improvements will help to mitigate, he continued.
Lapeer Rd. sees approximately 50,000 vehicles per day according to traffic studies conducted by SEMCOG.
‘Yes there is added vehicle traffic, but if you consider the number 50,000, and you consider the few extra hundred cars a day, it’s less than a one percent difference,? Barnett said.
Traffic has been on the minds of Orion Township residents for the past several months as new developments are proposed, passed or halted.
Much of the buzz originates on social media, especially in a group many residents interact with: the Lake Orion Chat Room.
In one particular thread concerning new development and Orion Township growing too fast, many residents commented their concerns Nov. 12.
‘I am very bothered by it. I grew up here, I loved our small town,? Michele Flanagan Corneail said.
‘The traffic on Lapeer in the morning is already a mess. I can’t imagine where all this extra traffic will go,? Tammy Fletcher said.
Still others turned to the actual infrastructure.
‘I think the biggest ‘problem? is the layout of M-24. It is not a freeway it is light after light. The lights are timed so poorly the backup is solid from Dutton to North Oxford,? Mandi Bryce said.
Still others saw the growth as progress.
‘Not really concerned. Been here my whole life. And if people here back in the day thought this way’most of you wouldn’t be here now,? Barbara English said.
According to Jim Stevens, from OHM Advisors, the township engineer consultants, new development typically effects intersections closest to the development.
The two intersections that will receive the most work on Lapeer are Silverbell and M-24 and Clarkston and M-24.
The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) use the calculation of about ten additional trips per day for the development of a traditional single family house, not duplexes or other attached houses which are lower, Stevens said.
Barnett agrees the amount of vehicles will increase driving along the main north/south corridors of Orion’Lapeer, Baldwin and Joslyn’but not to the degree residents believe.
And, new development can be a good thing.
‘One of the side effects of this new residential development is we are being noticed now by companies that are looking to expand and are looking at Orion Township,? Barnett said.
In this same token, GM just announced they are laying off 160 jobs at the Orion plant.
‘I really believe growth is a good thing for our community, if a community doesn’t grow it dies,? Barnett said.?