During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarah Swider and her kids explored the woods along the Huron River, crossing the railroad tracks each time they went.
“I think it’s what saved my kids’ mental health,” Swider said, “being able to get in nature and explore.”
Now, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) threatens to build a seven-foot-tall fence that would entirely block their access to the waterline.
“I just can’t imagine not having access to such a beautiful resource in our community,” Swider said.
On Oct. 3, MDOT held a public meeting to take comments from and inform the public about their new project: They plan to install a black steel fence along the railway tracks near Huron River Drive. No overpasses or underpasses are included in the budget of this project and MDOT is barred by Michigan law from creating any additional crosswalks.
MDOT started the meeting by giving a short presentation about the specifics of the proposed fence, listing off their restrictions and obligations. Then, they opened the floor to public comments. And comment, the public did. About 15 of the nearly 120 people who showed up publicly stated their concerns to the MDOT officials.
“To tell these people you contacted me is a lie,” Katie Scott, the Washtenaw County Commissioner said. “Nobody talked to me and I’m the county commissioner for this district. How come you never contacted me or my other commissioners? How come I had to tell them?”
Peter Anastor, the Director of the Office of Rail for MDOT, expresses why it was important to hold this public meeting.
“We wanted to make sure people had the appropriate information on what this project is about and what the goals and ambitions are for it,” Anastor said.
He explains that these comments from the community are not falling on deaf ears.
“They will certainly have an impact on what we do, how we do it, and how those decisions are made moving forward,” Anastor said. “It’s loud and clear. We’ll need to have some more interactions with the community … then make sure that what we’re doing is aligned with what their vision is.”
However, a few people still worry that MDOT was not receptive to their comments.
“It does not appear that MDOT has worked with the other agencies to make a collaborative plan,” Stephanie Preston said. “They really appear insistent and non-negotiating in their desire to build this fence.”
Even students from Community High School are affected. Present at the meeting was Community sophomore, Evelyn Stansfield.
“When I was in fifth grade, I biked to school,” Stansfield said, “To do so, I would have to cross the tracks illegally.” She is concerned that this route will be cut off to other students who need to bike to school.
“I think high schoolers should know what decisions are being made in their community,” Stansfield said. “They should be able to have a say or at least have an opinion about it.”
This public meeting was an important demonstration of civil resistance in our community. The residents of Huron River Drive spoke assertively and demanded change. Though it remains to be seen whether change will come, these people will continue to fight for their neighborhood.
