Results of the second Shoreline Drive study from 2023

The Muskegon City Commission at its March 11 work session received an extensive report from its traffic consultant at Progressive AE on the Shoreline Drive “road diet” pilot-study in late summer and early fall of 2023.
The traffic consultant’s conclusion was that the reduction of Shoreline Drive from two to four lanes – which could result in a safer road and better pedestrian access from downtown to the Muskegon Lake waterfront – is feasible from a traffic engineering standpoint. The study showed a significant reduction in speed, no major increase in travel time except during special events and no major increase in traffic or speeds on the alternative routes of Muskegon and Webster avenues, except on weekends and during special events.
However, the extensive public engagement through the study period found substantial public opposition to lane reductions on Shoreline Drive and motorists wanting no changes. Commissioners were told by their road consultant and City of Muskegon Department of Public Works staff that the ultimate decision on Shoreline Drive will be made by the Michigan Department of Transportation and that road work on Shoreline Drive from Western Avenue to Terrace would not be considered for five to 10 years.
The City Commission did not take a vote at the work session but commissioners did not seem supportive of Shoreline Drive lane reductions at this time. But commissioners agreed to consider further study of the roadway if state or federal funding opportunities are available. Key to future decisions on Shoreline Drive through the downtown waterfront are what goals the city would have for the roadway and the context in which any reconfigurations would be made, the road consultant told commissioners.
Links to the full report, the consultant’s presentation to commissioners and a one-page overview on speed and travel times can be found in “supporting documents” on this Connect Muskegon project page: https://muskegon-mi.civilspace.io/en/projects/shoreline-drive-pilot-project
Here is a link to the video of the commission work session (Shoreline Drive issue begins at 6:15): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL__OLLsGHE