Detroit is installing a large number of speed bumps across the city to reduce speeding

DETROIT, MI — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan on Wednesday announced what he called a major expansion of the city’s speed hump program, which aims to meet an overwhelming need for the traffic calming devices to deter speeders.

The expansion includes the installation of 4,500 humps in 2021 after 1,200 were installed this year. The pilot began in 2018, with just 32-speed humps, and has grown annually, Duggan said. The devices will be installed in prioritized areas where they can have the most impact on neighborhood safety, Duggan said.

“Probably the single biggest neighborhood concern we have been hearing from residents this year is speeding and reckless driving along residential side streets, so it’s not surprising that the speed hump program has become so wildly popular,” Duggan said. “We know this is a priority for residents, so we are making the expansion of this effort one of our highest priorities for the next year.”

The speed humps are one part of the city’s traffic calming efforts to increase overall neighborhood safety and slow down motorists in those areas with high pedestrian traffic. In 2020, streets adjacent to city parks and schools were given priority, the city said in a news release.

For the 2021 program, the city has allocated $11.5 million that will come from state transportation funds, as well planned capital projects that have been reprioritized, Duggan said.

Duggan said the city is looking to partner with Detroit-based, minority-owned asphalt companies to help install the speed humps.

The 4,500 locations for speed humps will be on streets with a 25 mph speed limit, according to the city. The installation will start next spring on sites determined by the road engineering department based traffic count, the number of children living on the street, and reports of speeding.

Specific emphasis will be placed on streets often used as a cut-through, or shortcut to bypass major road traffic, according to the city.

“Each location will be evaluated and selected based on these criteria, so each neighborhood is treated equally,” DPW Director Ron Brundidge said. “Our hope is that the additional 4,500-speed humps will help to create safer neighborhoods across the city for pedestrians, motorists, cyclists, and anyone else traveling on our residential streets.”