Traffic Concerns

Traffic Calming
* Changes Made to Winchell Avenue!
October 2021 - Traffic Calming & Added Bike Lanes

The ODWNA continues to work with the city on implementing the goals and actions of our Neighborhood Plan. “Increasing Traffic Safety” was ID’ed as one of the neighborhood’s main goals.

To that end, major changes have been made to Winchell Avenue:
  • Lanes are reduced in size to 11 feet in both directions to help slow traffic
  • Painted bike lanes are installed in both directions for increased connectivity and to help calm traffic (bike lane signs & in-lane markings to come).
  • On-street parking has been removed from Winchell Ave.(stopping/standing during Winchell Elem. pickup and drop-off will be allowed)
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See the flyer HERE for information and upcoming projects that fulfill our Neighborhood Plan goals and help make our streets safer for ALL users!

Note that this initiative aligns with the ODWN Neighborhood Plan Connected Neighborhood section, "Increasing Traffic Safety"
AUGUST 2021 - UPDATE

Winchell Ave./Rambling Rd. Stop Sign
Eastbound Sign Installed!

In case you haven't noticed, the City has installed a STOP sign on eastbound Winchell Ave. at Rambling Rd.  In an email to the Association from Fred Nagler, City Engineer, he told us,  "The installation will include an advanced warning sign that will be taken down after regular road users are accustomed to the new sign.  Engineering will monitor the function of the intersection and evaluate the efficacy/safety of the new configuration after approximately six months.  In addition, we will continue to study geometric changes that might be made to address concerns expressed by neighborhood residents."

Thank you to all who supported this effort by the ODWNA to help make that intersection safer for pedestrians, bikers and drivers.  If you have any further thoughts or comments regarding that intersection, feel free to email us at the Association or the City Engineer directly here.

We will continue to monitor the situation with the City and inform you of any updates as we receive them.
November 2011 - (click on the date for the notes of the meeting)

The reason for this is that many residents over the years have witnessed numerous "near-miss" accidents as they relate not just to vehicles but walkers, joggers, cyclists and schoolchildren trying to cross there before and after school; the neighbors feel there is a significant safety issue with the current traffic setup.

We asked the City to explain more about traffic in general and that intersection in particular at our November 2011 Association meeting.  You can review the meeting notes below:

Guest Speakers - Fred Nagler, City Engineer & Jim Hoekstra, Traffic Engineer, "Traffic in our Neighborhood"
Handouts:
Winchell/Rambling Traffic Study

Broadway/Lorraine Traffic Study

Winchell/Aberdeen Traffic Study

Winchell/Rambling Traffic Study - UPDATED 12/05/11
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As a result of that meeting, the Association Board established an Ad Hoc Traffic Committee to follow up on the issue and to continue to persue an all-way stop at that intersection.

  • Our first step is to have neighbors sign a petition the the ODWNA plans to present to the City outlining our concerns and asking them to take action
    • If you would like to sign the petition or help gather names, please contact the committee chair, Tom Keyser.


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ODWNA ~ P.O. BOX 20061 ~ Kalamazoo, Michigan 49019