Trains Not Lanes

Folks, please take a moment TODAY to provide comments in support of @MichiganDOT's proposed "acceptable alternative" on washtenawpel.com. This project is proposing to create transit-priority lanes on Washtenaw, which would be a huge leap forward for transit in our region!

@MichiganDOT Another issue - the @B2BTrail is up against the support piers of bridges that need rebuilding, and will face closures. We wonder if a new, permanent path on the north side of the river might work better than their plan to build a temporary causeway. michigan.gov/mdot/-/media/P…

@MichiganDOT To review, the "Safely Connecting Communities" alternative would rebuild US-23 without adding lanes, and focusing on multi-model access across and throughout the corridor. We need to make sure they hold the line against widening, though - some stakeholders still want it.

Folks, @MichiganDOT is having another public open house about the US-23 project this coming Monday (10/21), covering several important topics. Y'all should go - and in particular, express support for MDOT's "Safely Connecting Communities" alternative! trainsnotlanes.org/blog/us-23-pub…

@MichiganDOT @A2GOV @CatchTheRide ... but perhaps even more than that, we want to thank the @MichiganDOT University Region staff for really taking the feedback seriously, and shifting this project in a direction that will be more sustainable, accessible, and equitable for future generations of Michiganders!

@MichiganDOT Thanks to all our supporters, and @a2gov and @CatchTheRide, for the concerted advocacy to make this happen...

Incredible news today. Not only is @MichiganDOT dismissing the expansion alternatives for US-23, they're also refocusing the project in a way that will facilitate better non-motorized and public transit connections in our community and our region! mlive.com/news/ann-arbor…

We're very excited to dig into @megankimble's new book on Texas freeway fights. And hey, look who's quoted on page 119 - our own @rgoodspeed! (Get your copy via penguinrandomhouse.com/books/711708/c…, or perhaps from your local library)

So we should stop widening highways and concentrate on fixing the roads we already can't afford to maintain, right?! crcmich.org/construction-c…

. @MichiganDOT plans to turn I-375 into a giant surface highway (up to 9 lanes wide!) while cynically calling this a "Reconnecting Communities Project". Detroiters are pushing back - please read and sign their open letter here: docs.google.com/document/d/1_V…

About a million vehicles drove over Baltimore's Key Bridge every month. Nevertheless, its collapse probably *won’t* worsen traffic congestion. In @Slate, I explained why. slate.com/business/2024/…

Ann Arbor Calls for Highway Bus Service - h/t M Live dlvr.it/T4hYLv

Also, we encourage y'all to weigh in on the M-17 study as well, in favor of Alternative C (Business Access Transit Lanes). That "virtual open house" ALSO closes on the 10th. washtenawpel.com

If you're short on time or creativity, use the suggested comment language from our website - trainsnotlanes.org/take-action

Folks, don't forget, the "virtual open house" for US-23 closes this Sunday (3/10). Make sure you've filled out the comment form asking for a transit alternative! storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/19fd45…

@MichiganDOT @A2GOV We do not oppose rebuilding the bridges, but we believe non-motorized traffic should be maintained with just as much care as e.g. vehicular traffic on US-23 itself. The good news is, the city must sign off this plan. Contact your city council reps if you share our concerns!

@MichiganDOT @A2GOV When the trail is fully closed, their suggestion is for folks to use the AAATA route 3 bus as a detour. We do not think this is reasonable. Route 3 runs only every 30 minutes at best - only hourly for evenings/weekends - and each bus only can carry 2 bikes!

Last Tuesday, @MichiganDOT presented to the @a2gov / #a2council Parks Advisory Commission re: US-23 construction impacts to the B2B trail in Gallup Park, as they'll be rebuilding the Huron River bridges (regardless of any expansion proposals) over 3 years: youtube.com/watch?v=nIN85S…

@miwats @MichiganDOT @americawalks Also, be sure to hit that "follow" button if you haven't already. We'll be sharing many more updates and further advocacy plans as our campaign progresses. And again, a huge thanks to our supporters for helping us get this far!

@miwats @MichiganDOT 3. Check out the "Communities over Highways" campaign from @americawalks - and use their form letter to contact your state & federal reps. Wasteful, expensive, climate-destroying freeway expansions are a problem not just here, but across the whole US! americawalks.org/the-communitie…

Last week at a @miwats meeting, @MichiganDOT said public comments on the US-23 study so far are running about 50-50 re: support for freeway expansion. Our campaign is working, but we need to keep it up! Here are a few quick actions to take this week (🧵) trainsnotlanes.org/blog/mdot-says…