Should Wing, Main Streets Intersection be a 4-Way Stop?

A Northville Patch reader posted to the Boards last month about the dangers of the Main and Wing streets intersection in downtown Northville after seeing a near-accident.

That sparked a discussion on whether the city should make the intersection — where drivers on Main Street have the right-of-way — a four-way stop.

Drivers on Wing and Main streets often already treat it as a four-way stop, which causes confusion. Although it is prohibited and police regularly issue tickets, Police Chief Gary Goss said vehicles limit visibility when people park too close to the corners. Residents addressed the Northville city council earlier this month with a petition asking that something be done to fix the intersection. 

Now, the first step in finding that solution is under way.

Northville City Manager Pat Sullivan said the general consensus is that changing the intersection to a four-way stop would improve safety rather than adding a light or sign indicating that Main Street traffic does not stop.

"This is a safety decision that we're making," he said. "We think it meets those standards."

However, he said, a traffic engineer will be better at determining the best solution by looking at criteria like the number of cars that drive through, speed and pedestrian traffic. The traffic engineer will look at whether the intersection would need a flashing four-way light or stop signs, and where the signs should be placed.

Sullivan said he expects a recommendation from the traffic engineer in January.

Read more: A survey last year determined the intersection did not meet criteria for a four-way stop.

What has been your experience with the intersection? Post a comment below.