City of Adrian looking at converting Cross Street from one-way to two-way traffic

Brad Heineman, The Daily Telegram
Updated ·2 min read
A "one way" sign is pictured Tuesday along Cross Street in Adrian. The city of Adrian is looking into the possibility of converting Cross Street into a two-way street. It currently connects South Main and South Winter streets.
A "one way" sign is pictured Tuesday along Cross Street in Adrian. The city of Adrian is looking into the possibility of converting Cross Street into a two-way street. It currently connects South Main and South Winter streets.
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ADRIAN — A public hearing is expected to be scheduled sometime in the near future so that Adrian city residents can learn about a plan in the works to potentially convert an Adrian street from one-way to two-way traffic.

Cross Street, which is a one-way street that connects South Main and South Winter streets with traffic flowing in an eastward direction, would be switched to two-way travel.

Garfield Elementary School was at 239 Cross St. Demolition of the former school building was completed in 2019. The school closed at the end of the 2016-17 school year.

The city will be repaving Cross Street in the fall, said Matt Tomaszewski, Adrian’s director of engineering services. And while a need to change to two-way hasn't arisen from residents or city staff, Tomaszewski said during a recent meeting with the Adrian City Commission, “we were just sitting there looking at (Cross Street) wondering why this is still a one-way street. There’s not really a need for it anymore.”

Cars are parked Tuesday along the sides of Cross Street in Adrian. Cross Street is a one-way street connecting South Main and South Winter streets. The city of Adrian is looking into the possibility of converting Cross Street into a two-way street.
Cars are parked Tuesday along the sides of Cross Street in Adrian. Cross Street is a one-way street connecting South Main and South Winter streets. The city of Adrian is looking into the possibility of converting Cross Street into a two-way street.

“It’s always been one-way for the (elementary) school, but we are proposing to make it two-way,” he said. “We do have the width requirements to do that, just for better traffic flow.”

If the city commission agrees to allow for the conversion, each homeowner on Cross Street will be mailed a letter of notice from the city detailing what will happen.

Commissioner Mary Roberts expressed the importance of hearing from residents on Cross Street before any action on the street is taken and gauging their feelings about the possible street conversion.

“They might be all for it or they might be against it,” she said.

A public hearing would be scheduled.

"Do Not Enter" and "One Way" signs are seen Tuesday near the intersection of Cross and South Winter streets in Adrian. The city is looking into the possibility of converting Cross Street into a two-way street.
"Do Not Enter" and "One Way" signs are seen Tuesday near the intersection of Cross and South Winter streets in Adrian. The city is looking into the possibility of converting Cross Street into a two-way street.

Jordan Street, meanwhile, an even narrower street that runs parallel to Cross Street, is also a one-way street but will not meet the requirements for becoming a two-way street, Tomaszewski said. Jordan Street also connects South Winter and South Main streets.

“Jordan (Street) will have to remain one-way until we get a better right of way through there, which will be many years from now,” he said.

Motorists typically travel on Jordan Street to get from South Winter to South Main Street, Adrian Mayor Angie Sword Heath said.

Because of its narrower width, Heath said, Jordan Street tends to get congested, even with it being one-way. A two-way conversion on Cross Street might be able to free up some travel space on Jordan Street, she said.

“It would reduce the traffic on Jordan (Street) which is heavy because of Cross Street being one-way,” Heath said. “…Jordan can get so congested.

“If they could do that on Cross (Street), that would help alleviate that congestion.”.

People are allowed to park on Cross Street in front of their residence, Tomaszewski said. That will still be allowed even if the street is converted to two-way.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Adrian may convert Cross Street to two-way traffic