In August 2015, Midland County Road Commission (MCRC) and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) personnel conducted a Local Safety Initiative Review of roadway corridors and intersections within Midland County. The review identified the top 10 corridors and intersections where vehicle crashes are occurring.
The Poseyville Road corridor was highlighted in the review as having a high crash history with multiple fatalities. MCRC personnel applied for and received a $600,000 High Risk Rural Road (HRRR) Safety Program Grant to improve safety and reduce crashes along this corridor. There are a very high number of fixed-object crashes due to people running off the roadway. Safety will be improved by reducing the number of fixed-objects, such as trees and culvert ends. Most of the trees within the 66’ road right-of-way (ROW) will be removed. Road shoulders will be widened to 4' paved and 2' gravel. The relocation and enclosure of existing drainage will provide shallower slopes for vehicles that do depart from the travel lane. Lastly, the roadway will also be resurfaced providing a safer corridor for cars, bikes, and walkers.
The project will reduce crashes by providing the following:
- Providing room for non-motorized traffic
- Reducing fixed-objects
- Widening shoulders to 6 feet
- Paved shoulders
- Drainage relocation and enclosure
- Slope flattening
- New asphalt road surface
** Local traffic will be maintained during project construction **