Lansing seeks final input on two-way street conversion

TUESDAY, Aug. 10 — Local residents will have one last chance to ask questions or share concerns this week before city officials  charge forward with their longstanding plans to convert several downtown one-way streets to two-way traffic.

Absent any last-minute hiccups, six one-way streets are set to allow two-way traffic by fall: Pine, Walnut, Allegan and Ottawa streets and Capitol and Grand avenues.

A final public workshop designed to give people a chance to review the project, ask questions and share comments or concerns is set for 4-6 p.m. on Thursday in the City Hall lobby. 

In 1952, nine streets in downtown Lansing were converted from two-way to one-way operation with the goal of increasing capacity, bolstering public safety and streamlining the flow of traffic.

The change was also intended to help avoid or postpone economic losses resulting from decentralization of the business district, according to city officials. In 1999, three of those one-way roadways — Shiawassee, Ionia and Washtenaw streets — were converted back to two-way operations, primarily to increase access to residential and commercial properties, but also to reduce speeds.

Since the early 2000s, the city has been studying and planning for the eventual conversion of the remaining one-way streets to provide simpler routing for visitors and emergency vehicles as well as increase access to businesses and residential properties across downtown Lansing. 

Fueled with $3.3 million in state funding to cover necessary changes to traffic signals and pavement markings, Mayor Andy Schor announced plans for changes (originally scheduled for 2020) at his 2019 State of the City address. Then, the coronavirus pandemic arrived and severely limited city officials in being able to host public gatherings and feedback workshops.

Traffic signal changes are  underway. New signs have also been posted but they’ll remain covered with bags until the changes are finalized. Most streets are also expected to include a center turn lane, in addition to more on-street parking and a few new unloading/loading zones. 

Detailed street maps and more information are available online at lansingmi.gov/trafficnetwork.

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