The Houghton City Council had a discussion on traffic in the city following Studio 13 storeowner Chris Schmidt's concerns during the public comment section of the meeting. Schmidt mentioned people who were nearly hit, and Councilor Craig Waddell also shared he was nearly hit on the road recently. (Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — The Houghton City Council had a lengthy discussion regarding traffic within the city following a concerned citizen’s comments and approved a MDOT contract for paving on Bridge Street.

Studio 13 storeowner Chris Schmidt spoke during public comments regarding what he believes to be unacceptable downtown traffic for a small town.

“The city’s done an amazing job of improving the amenities in the city with the pier and the parks,” Schmidt said. “Visit Keweenaw has really promoted the area as a great place to visit, and it really is, and that’s why I call it home. But, trying to cross the street that afternoon is not only difficult, it’s also very dangerous.

“I watch people up and down the street coming across, and cars are not only unwilling to stop but they’re downright aggressive in anyone’s attempt to for pedestrians to cross the street, or other vehicle traffic doing something as simple as changing lanes.”

Schmidt said his wife was nearly hit a week ago and an acquaintance was hit recently crossing the street. He added that he doesn’t have solutions, but suggested the city talk with the State of Michigan about adding crossings to the streets.

Councilor Craig Waddell spoke up following Schmidt’s comments and shared the planning commission recently created the Mobility Committee, which looks to address such issues. He explained the city is limited in what it can do with the downtown road being a state highway and regulated by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). He said MUTCD has recently been revised, and the state’s version of the system must also be revised within two years.

“It’s got about a year and a half left for that,” Waddell said. “But one thing in the federal document, one whole chapter is on RRFB, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, which are just what you’ve asked for. What it does is you press it and a light comes on that’s supposedly designed to be more attractive to people’s attention.”

Waddell also added he too has had the same problem as Schmidt.

“I almost got killed here just coming out of the planning commission last night,” he said.

He mentioned that one line of traffic stopped, and as he stepped out on the street, and the vehicle behind the one that stopped for him accelerated into the other lane to try to get around.

He reassured the Mobility Committee is working to address traffic concerns and find ways to better work with MDOT. After the action items, the council further discussed with council member Brian Irizarry being the first to speak. Irizarry believes the area picks up more traffic when people bypass the Yooper Loop in comparison to the traffic flow in Hancock. He suggested the idea of moving stoplights to different intersections or following Waddell’s suggestions.

Irizarry would also like to coordinate with the City of Hancock on the traffic issue. The council continued the conversation going over what they have noticed regarding traffic in the area and more possible solutions to address it.

The council approved the resolution for the MDOT contract regarding the Bridge Street project. The project was set for construction during the summer but since the location is near the elementary school it was determined better to bid later in the year for next summer while school is not in session. The amount of paving projects already underway would not guarantee the project to be completed before school resumed this year.

The council also approved the payment request for the MDOT Canal Road stoplight in the amount of $196,025. This was the amount bid for the stoplight project.