Being a few years away from getting a driver’s license hasn’t stopped Waldon Middle School seventh grader Chris Chaffee from getting involved with the Baldwin Road widening project.
Chaffee, a member of Boy Scout Troop #284 at King of Kings Lutheran Church is examining what young people can do to help the project.
As a result, Chaffee attended last week’s Orion Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon, where Brent Bair spoke about the Baldwin project. Also in attendance was new road commissioner Eric Wilson.
‘We have been working to get funding on this project since 1988,? Bair told the chamber.
Eventually, plans are to make Baldwin, a north-south through road, a four-lane road with a median, except for in Gingellville, where there would be five-lanes (with a center turning-lane in place of the median) because of right-of-way issues.
‘Right now, they’re working on the engineering and then they’ll start to look at the right-of-way,? Wilson said, noting the purchasing of the right-of-way could be the most expensive part.
‘I understand that people have a legitimate right to their property, but, on the same token, it will help their businesses,? he said, encouraging business owners to consider donating that land when the time comes.
‘The total cost of the project is probably over $25 million,? Bair said. ‘We’re probably looking at 2015 at the earliest.?
By that time, Chaffee is likely to be off at college somewhere, but he still recognizes the need for action.
‘You’re late to most things and it’s always your excuse,? he said, adding that he lives just minutes from the congested road.
Chaffee is finishing up work on his Citizen in the Community badge, and will then start to work on his prestigious Eagle badge.
‘I just started the Baldwin project a week ago, but have been working on my badge for about a year,? he noted.
‘I picked this project because we drive on Baldwin all the time and I know how bad it is,? he added.
Chaffee has done a number of other projects in the community, including work with Oxford-Orion FISH.
He said he has talked with township officials about the issue and attended board meetings in the past, but this was the first time he talked with members from the road commission.
As part of his project, Chaffee said he will continue to spread the word on the Baldwin widening project and do his best to raise funds though activities like bottle drives.
‘He really got a lot of good information for his project,? said Rock Blanchard, who helped arrange for Chaffee’s visit to the chamber through the township. ‘I think it worked out well.?
Both Bair and Wilson said having Chaffee on board can only be a positive for the project.
The pair also thanked the township for it’s recent donation of $100,000 to help fund gravel road repair costs.
Among other items Bair discussed in his presentation were the responsibilities of the road commission and the technology they are at the forefront of administering.
Their Fast-Trac system, for example, involves Autoscope cameras that count vehicles as a way to alleviate congestion.
With over 2,000 cameras, Oakland County’s system is the largest in the world.
Bair said M-24 was due next for installation of Autoscope.
For more on the Road Commission of Oakland County, visit www.rcocweb.org.