Thank you for reporting this issue. An inspection has been ordered and will occur as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience during this process. If you have any questions, please contact the Public Services office at (269) 329-4444.

A review of Portage Road directional markings has been completed. Currently we have two “Right Lane Must Turn Right” and a “Lane designation Sign” showing Left turn, Through and Right turn lane designation on Portage Road well before the intersection. At the intersection we have two left turn arrows in the southbound curb lane along with ONLY lettering, two straight arrows with ONLY lettering in the through lane and two left turn arrows with ONLY lettering in the left turn lane immediately before the Bacon Road. In addition, a right turn only sign is placed on the mast arm for southbound curb lane traffic. It appears to be adequate signing at this location.

The road markings are missing on Bacon Ave, which was just passed and repainted this year.

As for the warning on south bound Portage road, merge left for through traffic ahead on Portage road, I drive that everyday and do not believe that the warnings that are in place inform people early enough; especially for it being an elementary school with kids crossing. I feel as though it would be in our community, children, and the crossing guard's best interest to warn people further back - like after the "S" curve to start to merge.

I believe that in the winter is when that is going to be the most useful and create a safer environment for everyone at the elementary school.

Thank you for your time.

We apologize for the misunderstanding on the road markings on Bacon vs. Portage Road. We will work with our pavement marking contractor to install arrows on Bacon Ave. A “Right Turn Only Arrow” sign is installed on the mast arm for the Portage Road southbound right turn only lane and is visible from a distance. We have been monitoring this intersection for almost a year and currently seems to be working fine.

Thank you, I appreciate the quick response to the issue. I assumed the contractor hired to paint the road may have forgotten about those details. The same is true for the west end of Bacon Ave.

The feedback to you regarding the turn lane signage was a culmination of multiple parents, the crossing guard, and myself monitoring the traffic once I was aware. It is during school crossing hours is when there really becomes an issue - which then, in my opinion, make it a significant issue.

After your reply regarding the sign being present ahead of the intersection I did actively look for it while driving. Yes the sign is present and I am sure is within some mandated distance rule of the intersection, except it seems as if there is more sign than lettering (small print). And when I was going 45 down the road, I did not notice it at all until I was looking for it.

I did find this that may help clarify what is required:
https://mdotjboss.state.mi.us/TSSD/getCategoryDocuments.htm?categoryPrjNumbers=1403854,1403855&category=MMUTCD

Pavement markings will be added to Bacon Avenue this spring.

The left turn arrow at Portage & Bacon was painted on 4-3-19.