KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Last week, the City of Kalamazoo announced it would try a new method to curb speeding in residential areas.
The new method comes in the form of speed humps, which were installed on Mabel Street in the Northside area last Thursday. The city said it would also be installed on Elizabeth Street as it is repaved this week.
In the last few months, the City has received several complaints regarding speeding vehicles, according to Vice Mayor Patrese Griffin.
“While we have to wait for policy solutions, if somebody’s child gets hit by a car tomorrow, that’s too late,” Griffin said during a July meeting. “We’re having great conversations with Director James Baker on that.”
Griffin touched on the subject again at a meeting later in July.
“For some reason, people choose to treat residential streets like the drag strip,” Vice Mayor Griffin said. “We are experiencing this on all sides of town.”
The installation comes after negative public input on the first plan, which came in the form of chicanes, or “Bump-outs.”
Chicanes are used to create a physical barrier in the street that extends from the curb that drivers must slow down for. At that time, Public Services Director James Baker told MLive that a chicane is cheaper to install than a speed hump, costing around $1,500 to $3,000.
MLive further reported Monday that two more locations for the speed humps are yet to be determined, but will be decided on after review of data and citizen input. Officials added that each speed hump costs around $3,500 to install.
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