KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The city of Kalamazoo is about to put Portage Road on a road diet.
That’s what they call it when they reduce the number of lanes, increase the congestion in order to slow traffic and improve safety.
The current four lane configuration on the major commuter route between Kalamazoo and Portage would be reduced to one lane each way, with a center turn lane and two bike lanes on either side.
The city has already imposed the diet on Whites Road, Oakland Drive, Parkview Avenue, East Michigan Avenue, and Cork Street.
City Manager Malcolm Hankins had this to say.
Utilities and public works director James Baker says it’s greatly reduced accident rates.
Baker says the work this time won’t be as disruptive as some of the other projects they have done in the last few years.
They will just be resurfacing and painting the new pavement markings on Portage Road.
The project also includes new lighting, curbs and gutter, push button pedestrian crossings, refuge islands and flashing lights powered by solar arrays.
The repaving project from Stockbridge Avenue to the southern city line at Cork Street is budgeted at just over a million dollars.
Commissioners have just approved the contracts. They didn’t say when the work will begin, but it could be yet this year.
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