Four-way stop makes downtown Glen Arbor safer
By Michael Buhler
Sun editor
After decades of wrangling with State bureaucrats, Glen Arbor will finally have a four-way stop at Western Avenue & Manitou Boulevard. Better known as M-109 & M-22, the intersection has been the cause of scores of accidents and innumerable near-misses. Persistence by nearby property owners and Township leaders led the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to evaluate the intersection this past July.
MDOT hired a “nationally renowned” traffic engineer to study the traffic data they had been collecting, and make an on-site visit on July 11. What he witnessed led to quick action by MDOT personnel to arrange a meeting with Township officials and present the findings. At a special meeting of the Township Board, MDOT reviewed the process and made their recommendation that the intersection be upgraded. Audience reaction was swift. “DUH!” quipped Kay Riegel. “It is good to see common sense prevail,” the longtime summer resident added.
The Township Board, representatives of the Leelanau County Road Commission, and the 40 audience members applauded the action. Next, the Board will need to pass a resolution, and then MDOT can implement the change. Since the highway signs in the area are scheduled for a maintenance upgrade in the coming year, MDOT will schedule the installation and upgrades for the Spring, both to be cost-effective, and get the new sign in before the tourist season begins.
Other changes will accompany the sign. A warning sign will precede the intersection, and both that and the stop sign will have red flags on them to catch drivers’ attention. Two parking spaces in front of the Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast will be eliminated, to improve the sightline for the new sign, and some landscape modification and tree trimming will also take place on northbound M-22 by Anderson’s Market.
Says Glen Arbor B&B co-owner Patricia Widmayer, “We’re happy to do anything to make this a safer intersection. Everyone has been at risk, especially pedestrians.” A gentleman who wishes to remain anonymous added, “it really was sport to watch the pedestrians play a game of dare with the cars, but in all seriousness, this change is long overdue. It’s a miracle we haven’t had a fatality.”
Pedestrians, however, should be aware that they DO NOT have the right to cross on State Trunklines, including M-22. They should cross when traffic clears. Stepping into the crosswalk does not compel cars to yield to them, which applies more to Western Avenue than the new four-way.
This GlenArbor.com exclusive is sponsored by Glen Lake Artists Gallery, showcasing the fine art and craft of some of the finest artists in northwest Michigan.
