[VIDEO] Napier Open House Looks at Pedestrian Plans

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The public has had a chance to offer input on plans to repave part of Napier Avenue.

At a forum Monday, the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission talked about the possibility of adding sidewalks or bike paths along the road from the St. Joseph River to I-94. The Berrien County Road Department tells us that could mean traffic changes.

“They did a detailed traffic analysis, and there is a recommendation to potentially — in the areas where there are four lanes — to potentially go to three, but my design team hasn’t drilled down to those details yet,” said Berrien County Road Department Director Jason Latham.

Under that plan, there would be one lane in each direction plus a center turn lane between Union and the St. Joseph River. Latham says adding more than a simple sidewalk would make it easier to secure funding.

The road repaving will start next year from the river to Colfax, and the pedestrian amenities, whatever they go with, would likely come later when grants are secured. The road department is now reviewing the planning commission report, and will draft further plans this winter. You can find out more here.