The bollards have arrived in Downtown Northville and are in place at Main and Hutton and Center and Dunlap. The week of Oct. 23, bollards will be installed at Center and Main (east and north sides). They are black, 3 ft. tall and have reflective bands near the top so they are visible at night. When the streets are closed, they will be upright to prevent vehicles from entering the streets. They can be lowered in emergencies by first responders who will have keys. When streets are open to traffic, the bollards are lowered into the ground with a metal plate over the opening.
The goal is for the streets to reopen to traffic before Nov. 3, after the skeletons have waved goodbye and the restaurants’ outdoor fixtures have been removed. The traffic lights will be turned on again at that time. To acclimate drivers and pedestrians to the change in traffic patterns, signs will be posted on the streets leading to the downtown traffic lights.
Mayor Brian Turnbull said the bollards “look outstanding” and they will give the city “greater flexibility” when opening and closing downtown streets to traffic.
“We are excited to have the bollards installed, as they greatly enhance the look of our downtown when the streets are closed,” said City Manager George Lahanas. “The biggest benefit is enhanced safety for pedestrians while being easy for staff to operate.”
The bollards add a new security measure that will benefit event-goers and pedestrians when streets are closed to traffic. Gone are the water barricades and older police cars that formerly provided a barricade for vehicles as well as a safety measure for people using the closed streets. The bollards permanently replace those items. Watch for new signage that alerts people when the downtown streets are closed to traffic.
The contemporary yet classic appearance of the bollards will become another distinctive feature of Downtown Northville. To date, the bollard cost of approximately $200,500, includes the concept plan and engineering, the bollard purchase and installation. The cost was split evenly between the city and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA).
Bollards at Main and Hutton. Photo by Liz Cezat
