Halt M-20/Casino traffic from using Bellevue Dr. to bypass the indirect left turns on M-20/Leaton Rd

Traffic to and from Soaring Eagle Casino and M-20 Highway are using local residential street Bellevue Drive via Greencrest Drive from M-20 to bypass the Leaton Rd/M-20 intersection in order to avoid the indirect lefts and turn loons near the intersection.

The substantial increase in traffic has negatively impacted the quality of life and property of residents living on Bellevue Drive. Due to the increase in traffic and the rate of speed of these vehicles, some residents are now hesitant to walk on Bellevue or let their children in the front yard. Most recently on March 31, 2017, a resident was returning to his home and slowed to approach the driveway. A truck following close behind stopped abruptly to confront the resident. The resident was told to "learn how to drive" and the rant ended with a racial slur directed at the resident. In an effort to leave the scene, the driver of the truck sped off and entered the private property of another resident. He drove into the ditch and through the driveway and back onto the roadway just missing a trash can and mailbox and almost entering the ditch on the opposite side of the roadway. The driver of the truck was seen entering Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort main entrance on Leaton Rd. The incident was reported to Tribal Police. There has been an increase in trash along the roadside, specifically beer bottles and cigarettes along the ditches. Some neighbors have reported having their cars broken into and items taken and an arrest at a vacant rental on Bellevue Dr.. It is not unusual to have to wait for 3 or 4 cars to pass during "rush hour" before it's clear to back out of the driveway, this shouldn't be the case with the limited number of homes on the street.

Homeowners paid to have Bellevue Drive and Greencrest paved. During the year long construction on M-20, Malley Excavating and others used Bellevue Drive and Greencrest drive to haul heavy equipment on semi trailer flatbeds, dump trucks full of dirt, gravel etc. to the construction site on a daily basis. This, in addition to the extensive increase in traffic is taking a toll on the road. It isn't fair to the homeowners for damage to the road caused by non-residents usage.

The intent of this petition is to bring awareness of the problems associated with drivers bypassing the intersection at the expense of the residents on Bellevue Drive. Data from traffic cables set up across the roadway will confirm the traffic and speed patterns that are addressed in this petition.

The MDOT, Isabella Road Commission and residents of Bellevue Drive can work together to find a solution to this ongoing problem. Adding speed bumps will hinder snow plows, garbage trucks and student busing. One recommendation would be to remove the left hand turn lane from M-20 (from Midland) onto Greencrest Dr. since that is where the abundance of traffic is coming from. Taken a step further a center island could be formed in that area as there will be those drivers intent on turning left there whether or not it is legal to do so especially if they are running late to work. The solution is not to tie up law enforcement with issuing citations but to return the street and the quality of life back to the residents of Bellevue Drive.

All suggestions are welcome.