The following was posted on the City’s website:
https://www.a2gov.org/departments/systems-planning/planning-areas/transportation/Pages/Healthy-Streets-Program.aspx
Healthy Streets Program
Due to changes in transportation patterns, reductions of over 50% of vehicular traffic on city streets and physical distancing requirements as a result of COVID-19, public right-of-way spaces, such as streets and sidewalks, are being used more for biking, walking and other activities.
On May 4, 2020 Ann Arbor City Council passed R-20-158 Resolution to Promote Safe Social Distancing Outdoors in Ann Arbor, including direction to consider lane or street re-configurations on residential streets through a public input process.
This effort is consistent with the nationwide trend of providing space for residents to get outside, safely exercise and get where they need to go during the pandemic.
Share your input!
Use this public input tool to submit requests for street or lane closure to support public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/88a90e2aa7b84789832cfc1d09c918ff
What does “street re-configuration” mean?
Changes may include temporarily closing residential streets to non-local motor vehicle traffic to provide adequate space for people to move around their neighborhood while physically distancing. Barricades and signage would be implemented at each end of the closed street. Local access for residents and essential services would be maintained, as well as residential on-street parking.
Changes may also include lane reduction or re-purposing parking spaces on non-residential streets to allow adequate space for people to move across town or conduct daily business, such as grocery shopping.
Generally, lane reductions will be temporary to accommodate times of physical distancing. Opportunity for longer term reconfiguration, depending on transportation demand and community support, may be considered.
How will public input be used?
Staff will carefully review all citizen input received through the mapping tool alongside other factors such as safety, connectivity, equity, feasibility, cost, and street jurisdiction or ownership.
Residential street closures and reconfigurations will be prepared as an action plan for implementation, as soon as possible. However, this can only take place when 1/3 of residents on the street have requested a ‘local traffic only/no thru traffic’ treatment. At that point, staff will deploy the appropriate barricades and signage.
Non-residential street closures and reconfigurations (e.g., arterial roadways) will be compiled as recommendations for City Council consideration.
Any changes to streets within the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) district will include input from Ann Arbor merchant associations.