Kalamazoo City Commission Approves Portage Street Road Diet Project in 6-1 Vote

Kalamazoo Commissioners Vote To Redesign Downtown Corridor

The Kalamazoo City Commission approved a Portage Street redesign project Monday night in a 6-1 vote. The more than $1 million project will convert portions of Portage Street from four lanes to three between Cork Street and Stockbridge Avenue while adding bike lanes and pedestrian safety improvements.

Portage Street signage on the stretch between E Cork St. and Stockbridge Ave in Kalamazoo.

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The project also includes pedestrian refuge islands, flashing crosswalk beacons and lighting upgrades.

Deputy Public Services Director James Baker told commissioners the redesign is intended to improve safety and traffic flow along the busy corridor.

Safety Improvements Along Busy Corridor

What causes the current congestion and delays is people trying to make that left turn while people are still trying to go straight, Baker said. When you have dedicated turn lanes, it should allow traffic to flow better.

Baker also said similar road diet projects across Kalamazoo have resulted in a 42 percent reduction in total crashes and a 24 percent reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes.

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Baker also said similar road diet projects across Kalamazoo have resulted in a 42 percent reduction in total crashes and a 24 percent reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes.

Funding And Timeline

Most of the project will be funded through a federal safety grant, with the remaining costs covered by city street funding. City documents show construction is expected later this year.

The project is part of Kalamazoo's Streets for All Program. It aims to help the city advance efforts to create safer streets for all users.

It's time to update the infrastructure underneath the roads for years to come. It's time to build streets that invite everyone in, and give them a reason to stay, city officials wrote online.

Public Concerns About Congestion

Some residents raised concerns during public comment about how reducing lanes could impact congestion.

The Kalamazoo City Commission is expected to discuss this project during Monday's regular business meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at Kalamazoo City Hall.

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