Lansing · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lansing public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Stop sign and turn restrictions at five intersections
The committee is scheduled to act on five intersection traffic changes: stop signs at Ellen/Brookland, State/Daleford, and Lincoln/Forest, and a yield sign at Pico/Moores River Drive.
Darby Drive parking near Cumberland Elementary
Residents near Cumberland Elementary report school drop-off and pick-up vehicles staging on both sides of Darby Drive, blocking travel and driveways. The proposed rule would bar parking on school days from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the west side between Cumberland Road and Tecumseh River Drive.
Parking regulation on the 500 block of W. Ionia Street
A proposed traffic control order would change parking rules along the 500 block of West Ionia Street downtown.
Bike lane and non-motorized plan concerns
A downtown resident says Lansing's bike lanes are too narrow, misplaced, and that the non-motorized plan has no downtown lanes and big gaps — and is falling behind other Michigan cities.
MDOT US-127 Phase: I-496 to Lake Lansing Road
The board was scheduled to continue discussing MDOT's planned 2027–2029 construction project covering the Frandor area and the I-496 corridor to Lake Lansing Road. Drivers through these corridors could see significant construction impacts over the project window.
Kalamazoo Street curb, sidewalk and pavement work
The long-planned Kalamazoo Street project — curb and gutter replacement, sidewalk replacement, and pavement resurfacing — is moving forward after years of delays. A public hearing on the noise permit is the next step, and residents can expect detours during construction.
CATA Board reappointment of Eric Tans
Eric Tans returns to the Capital Area Transportation Authority Board through September 2029, keeping continuity in regional transit oversight.
Pleasant Grove Road construction delay
Residents asked the city to move the West Miller Road reconstruction up a year because the road is deteriorating. Staff said acceleration may not be feasible, but patching will keep the road maintained in the meantime.
South Washington Avenue and West Washtenaw Street Intersection Safety
Since the traffic signal was removed and Washtenaw became a two-way stop, residents have flagged pedestrian crossing safety and traffic backups at this intersection. The board raised these concerns as an information item.
Traffic Signal Easement at East Miller and Aurelius Roads
The city needs a 10' x 30' easement to install or upgrade a traffic signal at a busy corner. The land is vacant, and the new owner of the sports complex nearby hasn't objected.
Sidewalk repair funding consolidation
Michael Mercer showed photos of buckled sidewalks, a blocked sidewalk from an untrimmed city tree, and called for a volunteer cleanup across all four wards.
Traffic Safety and Speeding
Residents petitioned for traffic calming on Clemens Avenue between Michigan and Kalamazoo. Staff recommend horizontal calming measures or permanent solar-powered radar speed signs; no action was taken yet.
Spec-Tran paratransit service failures
Amy Campeau described chronic late or no-show Spec-Tran paratransit trips affecting her son and disabled adults she works with; she plans to take the issue to the CATA board.
Reconnecting Communities Grant for I-496 Corridor
Lansing accepted a federal grant with no match, stemming from the federal response to how I-496 divided neighborhoods. The long-term vision could include a cap or structure over the freeway, similar to Detroit's over 696 — but construction would need matching funds.
Proposed Grand River lane reduction and corridor amenities
The City's Unmotorized Plan proposes narrowing Grand River from four lanes to three in coordination with MDOT, and CATA could install and fund bus shelters and lighting along the corridor.