Roundabout Plans Scratched
POSTED: Monday, December 1, 2008
UPDATED: 2:01 pm EST December 1,
2008
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- Lack of funding and some updated traffic figures have led to the scrapping of a big road construction project in two metro Detroit cities.
Residents in Farmington Hills and West Bloomfield have learned the six-lane boulevard plans for Orchard Lake Road and the planned roundabout at 14 Mile and Orchard Lake will not take place.
The Northwestern Connector Project was planned to help improve traffic flow where Northwestern Highway dead-ends at Orchard Lake Road.
"The financial picture hasn't changed," Oakland County Road Commission spokesman Craig Bryson told a local paper. "Neither has the condition of Orchard Lake Road. We believe the prudent thing to do is rebuild it as five lanes."
Farmington Hills and West Bloomfield officials are not happy about the change. They said they felt like they had to fight hard to get the changes in the first place.
A roundabout is still planned for Orchard Lake and Maple roads in West Bloomfield.
Farmington Hills officials said they will send a letter objecting the change to the Federal Highway Administration and then schedule a meeting with West Bloomfield officials and the RCOC.
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