Dearborn Urges MDOT to Keep Fordson Signal On
Dearborn City officials are urging MDOT to keep the traffic signal at Fordson and Telegraph operational.
Area residents upset that the traffic signal at Telegraph and Fordson may soon be removed received some good news Tuesday night in the form of a motion passed by the Dearborn city council that urges the Michigan Department of Transportation to keep the signal operational.
The suggestion to pass such a resolution was made by Dearborn Mayor John “Jack” O’Reilly, Jr. The mayor said the city should go on the record to inform MDOT that given the high vehicle speeds on Telegraph, the multiple roads that tie into this area of roadway and the dangerous line of sight issue, the traffic signal should remain.
Councilwoman Suzanne Sareini made the actual motion, with support from Councilman Doug Thomas, and the resolution was unanimously passed. We’ve written here multiple times about this signal and the need to keep it in place, something nearly all residents in the area support. For our earlier story, click HERE.
While the council’s adoption of the resolution doesn’t guarantee that the signal will remain, the council’s actions, along with a Dearborn police recommendation to keep the traffic light for safety concerns, does ratchet up the pressure on MDOT to keep the signal in place.
A decision by the state on whether the light will remain will be made by mid-March.
Below is a video report on the same topic by Dearborn Councilman Doug Thomas.
February 18th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Our city leaders did the right thing last night. Councilman homas said three people have been killed at that intersection. Not sure if he is using half baked facts (as he usually does) or if that is true or not. However, I do know that as a resident near this intersection it is needed and MDOT needs to hear from all of us.
February 18th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
As someone who lives in this area, this action by the city was a must. But this isn’t over yet. A motion by City Council doesn’t mean this light will be saved. The key thing will be the MDOT report.
March 4th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Below is the reply I just received today from an email I sent to MDOT concerning this signal. I don’t know that it tells us something we don’t already know, but since I promised to post it as soon as I received it, I’ve posted it. I’d also suggest many call this contact and voice your concern as I have in that you want this light reactivated as an operating light because safety should take precedence above all other issues.
Mr Albano,
Thank You for your email,
Recently, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has mandated that the
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) verfiy that all traffic signals
meet one of the eight signal warrants as defined in the Michigan Manual of
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD). This is the legal reference and
guideline for placement of all traffic control devices (signs, pavement
markings, traffic signals, etc.)
As such, the MDOT collected traffic volume counts in 2008 to verify the
traffic volumes. From this, locations that did not meet the minimum volume
as defined in the MMUTCD were identified. The intertsection of NB US-24 and
Fordson is one of those locations.
As such, the traffic signals at the locations of concern were placed in a
flash operation. This will allow further evaluation of conditions that would
not present themselves with a fully operational signal. This is required for
a minimum of 90 days.
Therefore, the MDOT is working with the City of Dearborn to further
evaluate this traffic signal.
Should you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me.
Michael Budai
Traffic & Safety Engineer
MDOT – Taylor TSC
(313) 375-2400