WHY WIDEN BECK ROAD?
Beck to the Future is more than a catchy tagline - it reflects the goal of the project and a commitment to our local businesses and residents. We hear the concerns they have and recognize the challenges that are present with the current configuration of Beck Road. This initiative is a commitment to work regionally and nationally to secure support and funding for a project that will improve economic and quality of life standards for generations to come.
To view the full presentation about this important project, follow this link.
Necessary to Serve Increasing Populations
The 2020 Census showed that our region has seen massive population increases over the past decade. Among cities in Michigan, the two active communities in the Beck to the Future Project, Wixom and Novi, rank:
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1st and 2nd in population growth in Oakland County
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1st and 3rd in population growth statewide
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Wixom and Novi account for over 20% of the population growth in Oakland County, the second largest with nearly 1.3 million people, and third fastest growing County in Michigan.
These figures highlight the growing need to accommodate traffic and additional growth in an area that people are increasingly choosing to call home.
Connections are Key to Growth
Beck Road is a principal arterial connector road that:
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Serves both Interstate 96 and Michigan Route M14
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Supports densely populated residential communities
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Supports over 7,000 critical jobs in the area
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Supports a diverse mix of employers including:
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Ascension Providence Hospital
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250 plus beds
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2,100 employees
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the Beck Business Center
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Moeller Manufacturing, aerospace manufacturer
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MAC Valves Inc.
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Suburban Collection Showplace
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exposition and conference center
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over 2 million visitors each year
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Excessive Traffic and Associated Safety Issues
The Beck Road Corridor is overwhelmed in its current two and three-lane state, which is negatively impacting the quality of life and growth in the area:
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Average Daily Traffic Volume is in excess of 25,000
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Crash frequency is ten times the regional average with the overwhelming majority involving rear-end collisions, consistent with the excessive traffic volume
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Traffic issues deter people employed along the corridor from participating in regional commerce
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Businesses that want to locate to corridor communities and to Beck Road are seeing the traffic conditions and choosing different locations
2015 - 2019 Crash Data - Beck Road
Lane Call Analysis: Annual Average Daily Traffic
Multi-Jurisdictional Impact and Support
The Beck Road Corridor affects multiple communities/agencies:
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Five Communities (north to south) with a total population of 153,000.
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Commerce Township
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City of Wixom
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City of Novi
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City of Northville
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Northville Township
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ONLY Wixom and Novi are pursuing the project currently
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Two Counties
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Oakland County
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Wayne County
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Two Road Commissions
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Road Commission of Oakland County
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Wayne County Road Commission
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SEMCOG - the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization