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December 28, 2023 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 3

CANTON
CANTON

Ford Road reconstruction project set to begin

Drivers using Ford Road next 186 percent in some areas. While ” traffic signals will be added.
year will find a long-sought con- officials refused to set an exact Canton Township officials have In addition, continuous ADA-
struction effort under way in date for construction to begin, certified sidewalks will be con-
response to the exceptional num- they announced the project been seeking a better traffic structed on both sides of the
ber of reported vehicle crashes would begin “in early 2024.” solution along Ford Road since 2012 . road.
along the highly trafficked road- “During peak driving times, Canton Township officials
way. this heavily travelled road regis- have been seeking a better traffic
Michigan Department of ters some 40,000+ vehicles, crashes at Lilley Road and Ford traffic will be separated by a solution along Ford Road since
Transportation (MDOT) officials entering and exiting businesses at 262 percent over average and boulevard with at least two 2012 when they hosted the first
revealed the construction time- along the corridor. All of this at 186 percent over average at through lanes in each direction. public meeting for the communi-
line of the recently approved activity creates potential conflict Ford and Canton Center Road. The center turn lane will be elim- ty to make the case for safety
project which will include the points that lead to crashes and The data was prepared by the inated and crossovers will be improvements on the road. The
temporary widening along Ford significant travel delays,” MDOT Southeast Michigan Council of added. There will be no left turns Traffic and Environmental Study
Road. Officials said the construc- officials said in a prepared Governments (SEMCOG). allowed off Ford Road when the highlighted crash data, noise and
tion was prompted by the num- announcement of the plan. State officials said the 2.27 reconstruction is complete. other factors in the area bor-
ber of crashes at Ford Road Data for a three-year period mile section of Ford Road will be Rather, several dedicated pas- dered by Sheldon, Warren, Lotz,
intersections which exceed the from July 1, 2016 to July 1, 2019, at reconstructed and both east- senger vehicle/truck turnarounds and Cherry Hill roads, officials
Michigan average by as much as several intersections, reported bound and westbound Ford Road will be added, officials said, and said.

Kettle campaign

Members of the Canton Police
Department were on the job
throughout the community recently
as they volunteered to help the
Salvation Army Red Kettle
Campaign. The 2023 Red Kettle goal
has been set at $7.9 million for Metro
Detroit. The theme of the effort this
year, Love Beyond Christmas, is a
reminder, officials said, of the help
needed by the most vulnerable all
year long. The Christmas Red Kettle
Campaign provides shelter, meals
and gifts to the less fortunate during
the holiday season through the vol-
unteer efforts like those of the
Canton Township officers, officials
said. The bell ringing campaign
ended on Christmas Eve.

Warren Road ‘Underground Railroad’ house demolished

The historic two-story, red The 150-year-old home was a ern states and attempting to get to Curtis who believes the home the 1,652-square-foot home and
brick house at the corner of popular topic with Civil War his- Canada. was a stop for slaves but, even the 3 acres of surrounding green
Warren and Morton Taylor roads tory fans who suggested the Circumstantial evidence of the after more than 200 hours of space was sold in January. Ryan
in Canton Township was demol- house was a stop along the home as part of the Underground research, notes the claim cannot said he does not know what the
ished last week and the last of the Underground Railroad used by Railroad has been discovered by be proven by hard evidence. new owner plans to do with the
remains hauled from the site. runaway slaves fleeing the south- Canton Township historian David According to Realtor Pat Ryan, property.