What preferences do you have for the redesign of Bronson Boulevard?

Bronson Boulevard will be resurfaced in 2024 or 2025. This work provides an opportunity to redesign the curb-to-curb space of Bronson Boulevard to better align with our Complete Streets policy and Street Design Manual. This is a process used on other City projects like, Parkview Avenue, where the primary focus of the work was on replacing aging water infrastructure but also provided an opportunity to resurface and reconfigure the street to align with our Street Design Manual.

The work area will be from Kilgore to Crosstown Parkway. The work will take place within the curb-to-curb area along Bronson Boulevard and not affect the Right of Way. Street trees should not be affected. 

Bronson Boulevard currently has wide lanes (17 - 18ft) and a signed bike route but with no bike lanes present. 10 - 11 foot lanes are a standard laid out in our Complete Street Design Manual to help calm traffic and has been effective in helping reduce vehicle speeds (Greenleaf Boulevard, Winchell Avenue are examples) With 10 - 11ft lanes only 20-22ft is needed for vehicle travel lanes leaviing 18 - 20ft to reimagine which is why community engagement was needed!

At this time the scope of work does not include sidewalk but staff are exploring funding sources to pursue the installation of sidewalk.

According to the City of Kalamazoo Street Design Manual, Bronson Boulevard from Peeler St to Kilgore Avenue is considered an Enhanced Neighborhood Street with design facilities meant to accommodate modest amounts of traffic at slower speeds and a high priority on pedestrian, bicyclist, and curbside facilities.

Before this work begins, a Whites Rd Road Diet (2023) and the reconstruction of Inkster Bridge (2024) will occur.

Prior to resident engagement, engineering staff proposed potential cross-sections (DISCLAIMER: These are not final designs and this is not primarily a bike infrastructure project) to help frame the project and show options that include both on-street parking and no on-street parking options, some with bike facilities. These 4 options are split into two pairs. The reason for pairs is to not mix bike facilites that would interrupt the cross-section and confuse all users. Pair 1 proposes a Buffered Bike Lane or a Bike Lane with on-street parking. Pair 2 proposes a cycle boulevard or Parking with a Buffered Cycle Boulevard. The idea is if staff here that the preference for Bronson Boulevard is the Buffered Bike Lane option and on-street parking is also wanted, Pair 1 would go together. Options from each pair would not be mixed. 

Pair 1 

Pair 2

To learn more about this project you can visit: www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/bronsonblvd