Traffic Troubles Follow Mack and Vernier Revamp

The Mack and Vernier intersection, one of the busiest in Grosse Pointe Woods, has recently been revamped after the city received a grant for safety improvements, but the changes have sparked some mixed reactions from residents. 

The intersection is a major route for daily commuters, residents, and students. To complete the project, the city brought in the engineering firm Anderson, Eckstein, and Westrick to redesign the intersection. 

The Mack and Vernier intersection sits at the center of a high-traffic area surrounded by a middle school, a public library, small businesses, and a residential area. 

Previously, the intersection used span-wire traffic signals suspended above all sides of the intersection and would allow drivers to turn left through the intersection. For example, drivers could go directly northbound on Mack Avenue after coming from westbound Vernier Road. 

The pedestrian crossings could get crowded and impacted by drivers turning left, particularly during peak hours of the intersection.

This fall, the city replaced the span-wire traffic signals with decorative mast arm signals, removed direct left turns in favor of the Michigan lefts and expanded the center island to accommodate the new traffic pattern. Additionally, mast arms were installed on the east side of the intersection. 

The two-way crossover was removed and replaced with a signalized eastbound-westbound crossover and improvements on Vernier and Sunningdale were made, adding a pedestrian crosswalk with signals and new turning lanes, which are intended to better protect students and pedestrians and students walking between nearby neighborhoods and buildings, while also leaving room in the median for future changes.

According to the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, from 2018 to 2022 the intersection's average annual accidents rate was the highest of any intersection in Grosse Pointe Woods. 

And intersections in general were dangerous, with 30.5% of accidents in Grosse Pointe Woods occurring within 150 feet of one.

Those numbers played a large role in securing funding for this project.

“The main goal was for safety,” said Ross Wilberding, an AEW engineer who helped design and plan the intersection. 

He said the previous traffic movements allowed for direct left turns, which created dangerous conflict points, particularly with the number of pedestrians who use the intersection. Reducing the number of points for conflict to happen was a key reason the Michigan left was chosen, he said.

Even though the intersection has been redesigned to improve safety, some Grosse Pointe Woods residents say it's inconvenient, especially when it’s after school hours. Andrew Kubitz, who lives in Grosse Pointe Woods, said, “they don't start blinking orange until 10 o'clock at night.” 

Signal timing at the intersection is programmed by the county, according to Wilberding. 

Residents also say the traffic backs up during peak hours, making drivers frustrated when trying to go through the intersection.

“I hate it,” said Brendan Beland, who lives in Grosse Pointe Woods. Kubitz said, “I don’t think any improvements have really been made.” 

Others in the community have shown frustration that their daily commutes have taken longer than before, even though the safety benefits have improved.

City officials and engineers have acknowledged that adjustments to the traffic signal timing may still be needed. Changes are expected as they continue to monitor traffic at the intersection. 

While some residents remain upset, “You might not see the results of the safety improvements,” said Wilberding, “even though it's certainly making the intersection more safe.”