- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
East Grand Rapids Today
By the People, for the People
East Grand Rapids neighbors could soon have easier path to slow traffic
City leaders consider changes to speed cushion installation policy
Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:03pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
City leaders in East Grand Rapids, Michigan are considering changes to their Traffic Calming Policy that would make it easier and faster for neighbors to get speed cushions installed on their streets. The proposed amendments would reduce the number of required speed studies and remove the need for City Commission approval, allowing the Director of Public Works to authorize installations instead.
Why it matters
Traffic safety is a top concern for East Grand Rapids residents, with issues like distracted driving and high speeds on residential streets. The proposed changes aim to streamline the process for installing speed cushions, which are a relatively low-cost traffic calming measure that can help slow down drivers and improve pedestrian safety.
The details
Under the current policy, the process for installing speed cushions requires four speed studies conducted over the course of up to a year, along with approval from the City Commission. The proposed amendment would reduce the number of required speed studies from four to two for streets where the 85th percentile speed exceeds the posted speed limit by more than 5 mph. It would also remove the need for City Commission approval, allowing the Director of Public Works to authorize installations instead. The proposal also creates an alternative path for streets that do not qualify based on speed study results, where neighbors could pursue speed cushion installation if at least 80% of households on the affected block sign a petition in support.
- The East Grand Rapids City Commission is set to consider the policy amendment at its meeting on Monday, March 27, 2026.
The players
East Grand Rapids
A city in Michigan where the proposed changes to the Traffic Calming Policy would take effect.
Jerry Anderson
An East Grand Rapids neighbor who says traffic safety is a top concern in the community, citing issues like distracted driving and high speeds on residential streets.
What they’re saying
“I think we're a community that cares deeply about safety. In my mind, the safety that we're most concerned with is pedestrian safety.”
— Jerry Anderson, East Grand Rapids neighbor
“Maybe it will get people who are on those streets to pay closer attention to their driving and less attention to distractions, and that should make pedestrians more safe at the same time.”
— Jerry Anderson, East Grand Rapids neighbor
What’s next
The East Grand Rapids City Commission is set to consider the proposed policy amendment at its meeting on Monday, March 27, 2026.
The takeaway
The proposed changes to East Grand Rapids' Traffic Calming Policy aim to make it easier and faster for neighbors to get speed cushions installed on their streets, which could help address traffic safety concerns like distracted driving and high speeds that put pedestrians at risk. By streamlining the process and giving more decision-making power to the Director of Public Works, the city hopes to improve pedestrian safety in residential areas.
