Wixom to Enhance Traffic Signals and Crossings for Safer Streets
Wixom is on the move to make its roads safer for both drivers and pedestrians! During a recent City Council meeting, officials took a big step towards improving traffic safety by approving plans to upgrade traffic signals and pedestrian crossing beacons in the area. This decision was made with the goal of reducing vehicular and pedestrian accidents in town, making Wixom a safer place for everyone.
Getting to Work on Traffic Improvements
On Tuesday evening, the City Council gave the green light to a proposal for traffic signal modernizations along Wixom Road, as well as upgrades to pedestrian crossings on Potter Road. The city is working with Hubbell, Roth and Clark, a consulting engineering firm, to get this project off the ground.
What does this mean for residents? In short, it means that Wixom will see the upgrade of two existing pedestrian beacons and the installation of a brand-new one on Potter Road. Specifically, residents can expect improvements at locations like Beechnut Drive, Flamingo, and Bell Coney Streets. Additionally, Wixom Road upgrades will happen at Maple and Charms Roads.
Funding the Upgrades
To fund this ambitious project, Wixom applied for a MDOT Fiscal Year 2026 Safety Grant, receiving assistance from Hubbell, Roth and Clark back in April. The good news is that they were awarded the grant!
This grant is particularly generous, as it will cover 90% of both projects. The anticipated costs are impressive too: the Wixom Road project is set to cost about $726,314, while the Potter Road upgrades are estimated at $574,047. That leaves the city responsible for a local match of $80,781 for the Wixom Road signal modernization and $63,783 for the Potter Road improvements.
Officials have noted that these local match amounts are estimates based on previous projects, and they expect most of the work to wrap up by next year. This means these funds will need to be included in the 2026 budget, ensuring that the city’s finances are in order before the work begins.
Engineering Costs and Future Plans
Before the project moves into the bidding phase, there will be some startup costs. The proposal approved at the meeting includes an engineering expense of $99,225. This expense will cover the cost of designing the plans for the upgrades through Hubbell, Roth and Clark, setting the stage for effective and thoughtful improvements.
The proposal was met with unanimous approval from the council, showing strong support for this initiative. When asked about potential updates to other crossings in Wixom, Director of Public Works Tim Sikma revealed that there’s an application for an additional grant covering the entire city! Excitingly, he hinted that more information about this proposal could be shared at the next City Council meeting scheduled for November 26.
Looking Ahead to a Safer Wixom
This project is just one piece of Wixom’s puzzle for improving local traffic safety, and residents are eager to see how these enhancements will unfold! Whether you’re a driver cruising down Wixom Road or a pedestrian crossing Potter Road, these upgrades promise to make a difference.
Stay tuned for updates on the project and be sure to mark your calendars for the next City Council meeting on November 26, where more exciting news about Wixom’s future could be announced. Here’s to safer roads in Wixom!
