The Kalamazoo City Commission approved three significant infrastructure items at its May 11 meeting.
The Portage Street road diet converts a four-lane stretch between Cork Street and Stockbridge Avenue to three lanes with bike lanes and pedestrian refuge islands aimed at reducing vehicle speeds and crash rates.
Commissioners also approved financing for lead service line replacement targeting 2,700 lines using the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, continuing a program the city has invested close to $100 million in over several years.
A third vote approved a planning grant to study relocating the downtown rail yard, a project that could reduce traffic gridlock and improve public safety with potential federal funding of up to $100 million.
Plus: Public comments raised flooding concerns and safety issues at the Phillips Road/Portage intersection; commissioners discussed the need to message the road diet as a traffic-calming project, not just a bike lane addition.
