Ann Arbor Council Approves One-Way Carey Street
The city council voted unanimously to convert the roadway to northbound-only traffic to improve intersection safety.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in City Hall
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Ann Arbor City Council voted 9-0 to reconfigure Carey Street into a northbound-only road. This change aims to simplify traffic flow and improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians near the Division Street intersection.
Why it matters
Officials approved the project to address safety concerns after eight crashes were documented within 100 feet of the Carey and Division intersection during 2024 and 2025. The conversion also supports broader efforts to simplify the Broadway bridges interchange.
The council approved the measure by a 9-0 vote, aiming to mitigate crash risks at the Carey/Division intersection where eight accidents were reported over the last two years. The transition is projected to increase typical driver commutes by one or two minutes.
The players
Ann Arbor City Council
This is the governing legislative body for the city of Ann Arbor that oversees municipal ordinances, city planning, and public infrastructure projects.
The details
The current two-way configuration will be replaced by a northbound-only route that prohibits southbound travel. This reconfiguration includes the addition of on-street parking and is designed to minimize vehicle conflict points as the city prepares to extend the Division Street protected bikeway.
Timeline
1990s: Initial considerations regarding reconfiguration of the Carey Street area began.
2024-2025: Eight documented crashes occurred within 100 feet of the Carey and Division intersection.
October 19, 2026: Ann Arbor City Council voted 9-0 to approve the one-way conversion.
2027: The city plans to extend the Division Street protected bikeway.
Political Context
While the council voted unanimously for the change, some local stakeholders have historically raised concerns about traffic flow adjustments in the Broadway bridges interchange area. These dissenting voices often emphasize the balance between cycling safety infrastructure and overall vehicular congestion.
Drivers who currently utilize the southbound route on Carey Street to turn toward Division Street will need to plan for new traffic patterns and an estimated one to two-minute increase in commute times. Cyclists and pedestrians can expect enhanced safety features as the city prioritizes non-vehicular traffic flow.
The takeaway
Commuters should prepare for route changes that remove southbound travel options on Carey Street. Implementing these street-level traffic adjustments is a key step in the city's plan to reduce intersection conflicts and improve overall urban mobility.
Further reading
For more information on municipal legislative updates, visit the City Hall section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mlive.
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