Broomfield fence shortened, view of road restored

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CMU workers ripped up about 80 feet of roadside fencing Monday to comply with a clear vision protocol and “constructive comments,” a facility management official said.

While Campus Space Planner Peter B. Gorton said there have been no “antagonistic” remarks calling for the removal of the fences along the north side of Broomfield Road at Washington Street, he said his office received “comments” that visibility wasn’t good.

“There was concern of the wayword control station,” Gorton said. “Pedestrians have to go north and swerve around the control box, which pushes them into the intersection where the cars would normally be parked.”

Gorton said the fence obstructs pedestrian view of oncoming traffic, possibly violating the sight distance of 42 inches. According to the Isabella County Road Commission policy, the fence must be no higher than 42 inches from the ground so people can see smaller vehicles from Washington.

“We know the angle which the fence has to be at,” Gorton said. “The fence will reflect that clear vision so that people can see westbound traffic. (It is for) protection of pedestrians at the intersection.”

CMU Police Chief Stan Dinius said the fence was a problem.

“If you drove down there … the fence did obstruct vision,” he said.

Gorton said the removal also aids vehicles turning north on to Washington. Vehicles previously had to stop and inch forward to see if pedestrians were trying to cross.

The latest development in the about $65,000 project is the fences will be re-set to conform with clear vision guidelines. There is no price tag on the new project, just “a proposal in the works,” Gorton said.

Workers also will install fences on the south side of Washington street in the near future.