In a later phase of the Petoskey Alternative Transportation and Land Use Project, the firm will compare the performance of local roads improvements to that of the proposed Petoskey Bypass. This alternative is based on the notion that a new express route would have fewer damaging effects than the bypass on farmland, wetlands, and neighborhoods if it were narrower and had tighter curves. This concept is possible if the new express route was designed with a lower speed limit, preferably 35-45 mph. In general, a lower speed makes it possible to consider many more alignments for the express route than if it was designed for highway speed, as is the proposed bypass. In addition to its call for studying two alternatives, the report provides an analysis of the existing and projected traffic patterns in the Petoskey area.
Traffic is seasonal and heaviest in summer.
The peak summer traffic occurs in midday and lasts for several hours, which presents unique challenges to easing congestion. Some traffic is spilling over into neighborhood streets. It is impossible to build enough roads to avoid congestion altogether. These ideas are presented with as much detail as New Alternatives and the Institute thought appropriate at this time. Our goal in Phase One was to focus on feasible alternatives and then to develop a sound research base to support the alternatives in later phases.