Goodrich-The Michigan Department of Transportation has approved funding for a right turn lane at the intersection of M-15 and Erie Street.
The lane addition will allow drivers to turning south onto M-15 to do so without having to wait behind vehicles turning north.
Costs of the undertaking are estimated by MDOT to be $76,900.
Funding for the project will be 80 percent federally funded, with the remaining $15,380 to be locally funded.
The new turn lane ‘is the first step in getting the light that is needed in that intersection,? said Jakki Sidge, village administrator.
Currently there is only a flashing light at the intersection, which has provoked discussion from residents and officials regarding the need for a traffic signal.
After two informal and two Michigan Department of Transportation traffic counts last year, MDOT officials determined the intersection wasn’t sufficient to meet warrants for a light.
Because of a steep hill located just south of the intersection, Sidge fought to re-open the case, based on sight distance, not traffic count.
Sidge argued that motorists trying to turn onto M-15 from East Hegel Road or Erie Street need to be able to see a minimum of 450 feet. Moreover, said Sidge, traffic traveling through the area at speeds higher than the posted 45 mph create a risky turning situation.
Additionally, citizens passed a petition around to encourage MDOT to do additional research to get a signal installed, said Sidge.
‘It’s a matter of not being able to see adequately from the cross street,? said Sidge.
Though Sidge agrees the new turn lane will make the intersection safer,she said a traffic signal is still necessary.
MDOT stipulated the project be contracted between Oct. 1, 2006 and Sept. 30, 2007.