WE’VE BEEN DOWN this road before… specifically M-553, south of Marquette. It’s the highway that takes you from town to the crossroads of CR-480 and M-553, and the speed limit, starting just south of the Pioneer Road intersection, is a way too fast 55 mph.
A two mile stretch of that road is home to… the new ABLE manufacturing site, two new residential developments, the NTN South Trailhead, the exit from Mount Marquette, a snowmobile crossing, the Rippling River campground, Marquette Mountain, the Morgan Falls trail, and the Raging River campground.
As I referenced, this isn’t the first time Word on the Street has visited the subject of the speed limit on M-553. The last time was in a post from February of 2023. Even then, the case was being made that something needed to be done… quickly, “hoping we don’t see a tragedy before a remedy.”
Well, here we are, almost two years later, and cars and trucks are still flying down M-553, reveling in the 55 mph speed limit which allows them to get to their destination, what… a minute sooner?
Word on the Avenue
The issue of whether or not a change can be made is still on the minds of many. How can we, the citizens of the city of Marquette, use our influence to force a change to a more reasonable 45 mph, or even better… 35 mph.
Here’s the deal. What is identified as M-553, a state highway, is actually McClellan Avenue… a city street. The city limit is about a quarter mile past Marquette Mountain. Everything along that stretch is within the confines of our municipality.
Years ago, Marquette Mountain, then known as Cliff’s Ridge, was the only busy spot between the Division Street intersection and the city limit. But recent developments, as well as the McClellan Avenue extension, have markedly changed the character of that thoroughfare. It’s time the speed limit reflects that change.
Plenty of Support
Lori Hauswirth, Executive Director of the Noquemanon Trail Network, takes the position many agree with. “We shouldn’t have to wait for another fatality or accident for a speed adjustment. We need MDOT to go outside their normal protocols to make it happen.”
Ah, yes. Their “normal protocols.” As we’ve learned, the Michigan Department of Transportation gets to set the speed limits on state highways, and they use speed studies and data based formulas to set those limits. So, when they record the speeds most people drive on a specific stretch of highway, they set the limit to accommodate those averages. What they don’t take into consideration is things like pedestrian crossings, winter driving conditions, new and challenging turnoffs, and outdoor enthusiasts crossing the road on bikes or hauling ski gear and accessories.
The Marquette Mountain location is an area of particular concern. Facility General Manager Kaet Johnson has met with authorities, without much satisfaction. “We were told that according to their observations of driver habits and the lack of accidents along this stretch there was no impetus to change the speed limit. In a nutshell, if the majority of drivers see no need to slow down, the state concludes the speed limit is appropriate.”
Nicky Bates is Development and Membership Director for the League of Michigan Bicyclists, as well as a member of the city’s Traffic & Parking Advisory Committee. “While M-553 is technically a highway, it has the foot traffic of a much higher-use area. I get uneasy anytime there are cars at high speeds in areas where there are lots of people near the road that aren’t in cars. My concern with this area is that it’s only a matter of time until there’s a serious or even fatal crash.”
Let the People Prevail
My informal and unscientific survey of how people feel about this issue tells me almost everyone agrees… we need to change that speed limit!
I say “almost” because as I was observing the traffic around Marquette Mountain the other day, one guy found it necessary to lay on his horn as he had to wait at least 5 seconds for an out-of-state driver to negotiate the ski hill’s parking lot options. Nice.
I’ve also heard that commercial truckers like the 55 mph limit because they can maintain their speed as they go up one of the hills on either side of the ski resort. Great. Big trucks going 55 or faster. What could go wrong?
One concerned citizen, a frequent user of the area, sees the bigger picture, and the need for change. “Marquette has earned a reputation as a progressive, safe and friendly community. We also have many residents and visitors who make frequent use of our excellent outdoor recreation facilities. We need not wait for risk factors to multiply. We can make the road safer now.”
I know citizens and city officials alike are frustrated with the process and the lack of action, which brings us to… what can be done?
Time for Action
Apparently, there’s proposed legislation floating around that would allow for more local control, but waiting for lawmakers to help us out has gotten us to where we are today… nowhere.
Beyond that, there’s talk of a citizens’ grassroots effort to put pressure on MDOT to let the people who live in Marquette, have a say in city speed limits. A petition drive with thousands of signatures would be a good way to let Lansing know we’re serious about our safety.
I hope the next time I write about the speed limit on M-553 it’s not about an accident that could have been avoided, but rather the success of a unified community voice that brought about necessary change. I hope.
Since she’s quite familiar with the area, I asked Hauswirth if she was aware of any close calls. “I think anyone who has tried to pull out, turn off, or cross on a bike or in ski boots has had a close call along this stretch.”