  Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2200 Registered: 03-2008 |
Is anyone else sick of attempting to dodge cars crossing Gratiot? I am talking about Broadway and Gratiot. Oddly, this is a somewhat popular link between Greektown/Monroe and Broadway/Harmony Park. A pedestrian connector to the new Paradise Valley Initiative, which is focusing around Harmony Park. There is no signal or crosswalk across Gratiot on the East Side of Broadway. Unfortunately, that intersection is extremely busy and wide. It's also a five street intersection, so you're never sure exactly what all the cars are always going to do. The lack of a crosswalk and crossing signal is apparently not stopping a number of people from crossing Gratiot, and ticketing them really is just going to discourage walking between these very actively growing districts. So... I'm young, and relatively new to this. What needs to be done to establish a crosswalk? Does it need to be presented to the council? How can I learn how to do that? Any help would be greatly appreciated. It would be nice to keep to many more ghost bikes out of our Downtown. Thanks! PS: I also have sent e-mails to friends and family around town, so if you don't have the time to respond, that is perfectly fine. Thanks for reading! I'm sure someone will respond. | ||
Lodgedodger Member Username: Lodgedodger Post Number: 1247 Registered: 05-2008 |
Write to the City of Detroit Traffic Engineering Division. http://www.detroitmi.gov/Depar tments/DepartmentofPublicWorks /TrafficEngineering/tabid/465/ Default.aspx Thee light on Woodward at Baltimore was too short. The City couldn't do anything as it was a Michigan "highway" but they contacted MDOT for me and it was taken care of within two weeks. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2206 Registered: 03-2008 |
Thank you Lodgedodger! BTW, thanks for all the positivity on here. I appreciate your posts. Lately everyone seems to be trying to trip me up... and it works to much of the time. I'm probably not going to be posting as much because of that, and the blog launch tomorrow, and the fact that I'm "back" now. I still appreciate all the positivity by you and several others though, and am still reading! Don't let anyone get to you on here. You're appreciated! Just wanted to say that... *Hugs* | ||
Cheddar_bob Member Username: Cheddar_bob Post Number: 1591 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: Every wonder why that is, or do just think that everyone is trying to slight you? | ||
Lodgedodger Member Username: Lodgedodger Post Number: 1251 Registered: 05-2008 |
Sean, just ignore them, okay? I'm hoping the Traffic Division can help you. They were really helpful for me. I'd like to know how it works out, okay? *hug* | ||
Lodgedodger Member Username: Lodgedodger Post Number: 1252 Registered: 05-2008 |
Oh, and thank you for your kind words. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2209 Registered: 03-2008 |
No Cheddar, I know exactly why that is. It's nice to know that you care so much about what I think and do though. Lodgedodger, I'll keep you posted! (Message edited by Sean_of_Detroit on January 05, 2009) | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 2130 Registered: 10-2003 |
There are a number of intersections in downtown where crossing is not permitted (the most obvious is in the Jefferson/Randolph/Windsor Tunnel intersection) because it is too dangerous. Maybe there just needs to be more signs that say not to cross there and suggest where people can safely cross. | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 2227 Registered: 04-2006 |
Actually this is an MDOT controlled intersection. Both Gratiot and Randolph are under State Control while Broadway is under City Control. Broadway is not the problem here. I'd suggest contacting the regional office in Southfield on Nine Mile. Interestingly enough this intersection was even worse prior to the building of the Peoplemover. | ||
Toolbox Member Username: Toolbox Post Number: 428 Registered: 10-2003 |
Are you too lazy to use the crosswalks to cross Broadway, then Gratiot and finally Randolph? Or go a couple of blocks east and cross gratiot at the light. It's not going to kill you to walk a little extra to get to the final destination. | ||
Rsa Member Username: Rsa Post Number: 901 Registered: 10-2003 |
i've sat on the porch at the well pondering this exact problem many a times. i always thought this location would lend itself well to a roundabout. kind of like campus martius. it would also make a great "terminus" to gratiot; you could put a fountain there with a small park... it's become worse since they switched directions of macomb street. it used to be one way going east, no it's one way going west. except, when you approach the intersection, you can't see the light. people just have to "close their eyes and pray" when they proceed. i can't tell you the amount of near accidents i've seen from people coming off this street trying to go up broadway... | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2230 Registered: 03-2008 |
Update: I've been more than a little busy this week, but I sent e-mails or letters out to some other Michiganians who have done such things. They've all dealt with MDOT in similar situations, so I'm hoping they will give me a little input or tips, as well as there stories. I've also talked with a few people who live, work, or own property in the area. There definitely seems to be a shared interest here. PS: Toolbox, no way. I love walking the city. I often go out of my way and walk further, just to avoid that intersection. It's more about what RSA said. Unfortunately, it appears people have already been hit, and that is a notorious accident corner. It also has to do with walk-ability and helping the retail and building owners in the area, as well as the Paradise Valley Initiative (which I'm not crazy about, but if our tax or grant funds are going towards it, then everything should be done as right as possible). | ||
Lodgedodger Member Username: Lodgedodger Post Number: 1358 Registered: 05-2008 |
Good luck to you, Sean. Hope you're successful in your efforts. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2231 Registered: 03-2008 |
RSA and anyone else interested, What do you think; Should we form some sort of group to look into it further? | ||
Rsa Member Username: Rsa Post Number: 916 Registered: 10-2003 |
i'd be happy to lend my design skills to a project. i don't really have a lot of free time to put together meetings, deal with government, etc. in other words, i'd be happy to help out where i can... -RSA (rockstarchitect) | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2213 Registered: 03-2008 |
Quick Update; I'm working on a report to show that this intersection is actually a problem. | ||
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289 Post Number: 918 Registered: 08-2007 |
I belive that a couple summers ago I had to play "Barry Sanders" at that crossing. Almost got killed going to Borders to buy the Denny McLain book I never finished. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6132 Registered: 08-2004 |
Sean, when I read the thread title, I somehow knew exactly which downtown "clusterfuck" you were talking about. And Sean, as mean as other posters can be at times... take this advice... "Always having a positive attitude may not solve all your problems... but it will piss off enough other posters to make it worth your while..."  | ||
Alsodave Member Username: Alsodave Post Number: 690 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: Which really doesn't help if you're looking for credibility... | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6134 Registered: 08-2004 |
True, but they don't have to be mutually exclusive... | ||
Cheddar_bob Member Username: Cheddar_bob Post Number: 1728 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: Make sure you only use a blue or black crayon. | ||
Mortgageking Member Username: Mortgageking Post Number: 260 Registered: 12-2006 |
Cheddar Bob, that post is hall of fame material. | ||
Cheddar_bob Member Username: Cheddar_bob Post Number: 1740 Registered: 10-2003 |
Glad my humor didn't go to waste. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2255 Registered: 03-2008 |
Cheddar, dang it, I just did the whole thing in Purple crayon. Will you let me borrow one of yours from the Crayola Big Box? Nevermind, it must be my Harold like delusions for Detroit. Stupid dreams.... Gistok, thank you! By the grace of God I was reading one of my old retaliation posts while listening to the recent Conyers interview. Good grief, is that what I "sound" like? I think that may have scared me straight. I don't have everything figured out, but I definitely know I have to keep working on something. Of course, I figured that out at 23, and am not the President of our City Council. It's scary that my current level of character without growth would be acceptable there (Just food for thought). | ||
Cheddar_bob Member Username: Cheddar_bob Post Number: 1750 Registered: 10-2003 |
When I read that SOD was working on a report, this is what I thought of...  | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2256 Registered: 03-2008 |
Yes, I think they figured it out the first time. | ||
Alsodave Member Username: Alsodave Post Number: 700 Registered: 10-2003 |
At least he didn't post this:  | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2258 Registered: 03-2008 |
That would have been funnierist. | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 2320 Registered: 03-2008 |
Update: The Gratiot, Broadway, Randolph, Macomb intersection's traffic and pedestrian activity is now being investigated and monitored via camera boxes that were installed last week. | ||
Ronaldj Member Username: Ronaldj Post Number: 106 Registered: 01-2007 |
Good job in having the monitoring set up on such short notice. |
