Local citizens remain concerned
By Bruce Rolfe
An intersection that was part of a realignment project performed by the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County in Charleston Township last summer, still has some local citizens concerned after warning flashers that were present before the project started, were not reinstalled.
The intersection at East MN Avenue and Mercury Drive, where a warning flasher was located and the location of many crashes over the years, was part of another safety road improvement project nearby that RCKC performed last summer.
RCKC selected the project, secured funding through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and engineered the project to enhance safety at two critical intersections in Charleston Township. RCKC said this initiative included the addition of a dedicated left turn lane on MN Avenue at the busy intersection with 44th Street and a comprehensive realignment of the intersection at MN Avenue and Mercury Drive. The redesign enhanced sight distance for west bound traffic on MN Avenue at the Mercury Drive intersection and adjusted the cross-slopes of the curve on Mercurty Drive at MN Avenue, both essential for ensuring safe vehicle operation at the intersection.
RCKC Managing Director Travis Bartholomew said the realignment at the intersection of East MN Avenue and Mercury Drive provides a standard 90 degree intersection, which removed the need for the warning flasher.
“The (flashing) light was to warn the motorists that the intersection was a non-standard intersection alignment. Now that we’ve improved it to more of a standard type of configuration the warning light is not necessary,” explained Bartholomew.
However the decision not to put the warning flashers back up, has left local citizens disturbed.
Concern intensified after two known incidents occurred at the intersection since the intersection realignment project has been completed. One incident involved a vehicle leaving the road way, striking a stop sign and a nearby tree and the other incident it appeared a vehicle left the roadway and went into the ditch near the intersection. Accident reports for the two incidents were not available so it should be noted those two accidents could have been weather, speed or medical related, driving under the influence, or distracted driving.
Tracie Richardson and her husband Greg moved to their home near the intersection 37 years ago. She said the couple have seen some horrific accidents near the East MN and Mercury Drive intersection.
She said one man drove through the corner, went into a field and hit some tree stumps before his car caught on fire while the man was trapped inside. He died.
She adds another driver missed the corner, the vehicle flipped and wound up in a neighbor’s yard. She said the vehicle caught on fire and the driver lost his leg.
“When the lights went up, it really slowed people down and saved a lot of lives and property damage. The county also wanted to remove all the trees on the corner, but the neighbors asked them to leave as much as they could, because it saved cars from hitting their houses and or garages,” said Richardson.
Richardson also felt the warning flashers were especially valuable for motorists who are not familiar with the area. She feels the flashers could be seen long distances from the intersection, giving motorists plenty of time to prepare for the intersection and curve.
“People from out of town do not know that corner is there. It’s so dark and hard to see. And this is an emergency route from 1-94. A lot of unfamiliar travelers,” observed the long time Climax resident.
Henry Sowles, who has lived in Climax all his life, was also disappointed to learn the warning flashers were not put back up. He felt when the warning flashers were installed many years ago, they made a positive impact.
“I just don’t understand their thinking. When the lights were put up about 50 years ago it was to reduce crashes. Locals referred to it as dead man’s curve. The original light was later replaced with the dual flashing lights that they took down. Flashing lights and a street light would be appropriate to my way of thinking,” observed Sowles.
Bartholomew said there are two ways to notify drivers when there is a change in the road - a visual notification whether it is a sign or a flasher, or an audio warning, like rumble strips.
He said RCKC receives accident reports from the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department, allowing the Road Commission to review conditions and causes where crashes occur. Bartholomew adds the recent crashes at the intersection of East MN Avenue and Mercury Drive included various factors such as poor weather conditions, high rate of speed and potential driver intoxication. “Our team evaluates the cause of all road related crashes and applies proven engineering principles to improve driver safety as warranted,” said Bartholomew.
Bartholomew adds: “We’ll continue to monitor the intersection and will add or adjust the size and spacing of visual or more audio devices if necessary,” emphasizing “adding another warning device near the intersection if not out of the question.”
“If crashes continue at this intersection, we will further evaluate the causes and identify the proper safety improvements. We all want safe roads,” continues the new RCKC Managing Director who was named the RCKC Managing Director after former Managing Director Joanna Johnson retired last November.
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