The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), in partnership with the cities of Novi and Wixom, is seeking public input as part of an extensive study of 12 Mile Road between Beck and Dixon roads in the two cities.
The study is intended to determine if this section of 12 Mile Road should be improved and, if so, what the improvement should entail. The study is known as an “environmental assessment” and is guided by federal rules and regulations.
The study was initiated in response to the need to address current and projected traffic volumes in the area as well as to address safety concerns that could be aggravated by increasing traffic congestion. The purpose of the study is to determine the most appropriate improvements to address these traffic demands and safety concerns.
Through the initial study efforts, three possible alternatives have emerged as potentially the most appropriate. They are:
· No build (baseline comparison) — the roadway would be rebuilt in its current configuration, without additional capacity.
· Five-lane improvement (widening) — this entire section of 12 Mile Road would be widened to five lanes, including a continuous, center left-turn lane with minor improvements at the 12 Mile/Beck intersection.
· Four-lane, narrow-median boulevard — this section of 12 Mile Road would be reconstructed as a narrow-median, four-lane boulevard with minor improvements at the 12 Mile/Beck intersection.
The next steps in the environmental assessment process for this section of 12 Mile are:
· Obtain public input on the three possible alternatives.
· Select a preferred alternative and evaluate the impacts of that alternative.
· Complete the draft environmental assessment document and submit it for review and comment by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
· Publish the completed draft environmental assessment document and conduct a public hearing on the report recommendation.
· Request FHWA approval of the recommendation.
· Identify project funding and proceed with the project implementation.
Public input on the possible alternatives can be submitted via e-mail to design@rcoc.org and should be submitted by Friday, Oct. 23. Additional information about the alternatives is available at the study page on the RCOC website: http://www.rcocweb.org/557/12-Mile-Road-Environmental-Assessment (or, visit the RCOC website home page, www.rcocweb.org, select the “About Us” tab in the upper left corner of the home page, and then select “12 mile Road Environmental Assessment” from the drop-down menu.
