KALAMAZOO, MI — If you have ideas about how Kalamazoo’s roads should change, people are listening.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is gathering feedback state trunklines that carry thousands of vehicles through downtown Kalamazoo each day.

The public is invited to participate in an open house to help define road improvements in segments of Stadium Drive, Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo Avenue, Michikal Street, Riverview Drive, and Douglas Avenue. A discussion downtown Kalamazoo Planning and Environmental Linkages study area will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Metro Transit Center on 530 N. Rose St.

“We as a city can’t change (these roads), but MDOT has been very open to the community to ask what would you like to happen?'” said Deputy City Manager Jeff Chamberlain. “Everything from bike lanes to beautification to two-way traffic is being talked about. The PEL study is basically the first step in the process (to making changes.)”

MDOT will collect public feedback on the purpose and need for road improvements until September 2017, after which a final report will be finished to guide future changes.

Residents, business owners and commuters are encouraged to attend and share ideas, concerns as part of the planning process. The first meeting was held in April.

READ MORE AT: http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2016/10/open_house_to_discuss_road_imp.html