Everyone agrees rush hour traffic on East Maple Road is bad. Unfortunately, we cannot improve conditions for motorists. However, we can improve conditions for cyclists and pedestrians without adversely affecting motorists if just half of the through traffic diverts to other mile roads. Read on if you want to understand how we came to that conclusion.

The East Maple Road Reconstruction project was first formally introduced on April 24, 2010 when City Manager Tom Markus submitted the 2010‐2011 budget to the Commission.  The Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) he submitted included the project in 2011‐2012.   The 2011‐2012 budget I submitted to the Commission on April 16, 2011 included funding for the project.  The Commission approved that budget on May 23, 2011.  The Commission adopted a Complete Streets resolution on July 11, 2011.  This prompted Staff to question whether maintaining the status quo on E Maple Rd was the best solution for all users.  Several people both inside and outside the City government raised this issue so it would have likely been addressed even without a Complete Streets resolution.  The Commission considered an East Maple Road Complete Streets Study on August 8, 2011 and authorized it on August 22, 2011.

Staff and consultants began developing the performance measures for the Study in August and the Commission approved them on September 26, 2011.  The consultants then evaluated seven options using the SEMCOG Travel Demand Forecast Model and “Synchro” traffic analysis and optimization software.  The research showed approximately half of westbound traffic is not destined for Birmingham.  It is just passing through.  Approximately 30 percent of AM and 50 percent of PM traffic turns at Woodward Ave.  The most startling revelation was that 30% of traffic would divert, travel times on East Maple Road would decrease, and service levels would improve by reducing East Maple Road from four lanes to three.  Conservative and skeptical staff (including me) asked how much traffic diversion would be necessary to match current levels of service and travel times.  The answer was 15 percent, just half of the current through traffic.

The goal is to divert through traffic to other mile roads.  Some local traffic will divert to local streets.  However, the research suggests diversion will be diffuse and not overburden any one street.  Traffic counts conducted before and after reconstruction can measure the affects to ensure no neighborhood is overloaded.  

East Maple Road is the most challenging corridor in our community.  It provides egress and ingress for residents and visitors alike.  However, the rush hour traffic speeds and volumes are not conducive to the single family residences on E Maple Rd between Adams Rd and Eton St.  I think I speak for every City official when I say we do not want to be known as the people who created a nightmare on East Maple Road.  Accordingly, I would not have forwarded this proposal to the Commission if I did not believe the potential rewards outweigh the risk of restriping and returning to the status quo if it does not work.