Connected City

A City that has a network of interconnected streets, bike lanes, sidewalks, and non-motorized routes that promote mobility and accessibility between neighborhoods, parks, recreational areas, schools, the downtown, and the surrounding areas.

Implementation Strategies

Implement Complete Streets:

Continue to implement initiatives, policies, outreach, and design that promotes the balance of connected bike lakes, pedestrian space, vehicular movement, and sustainable storm water management practices within the City's street network.

Plan for Public Transit:

Collaborate with regional tranist providers to establish a long-term plan for the provision of bus service to and from the City of Hudsonville.  This may include a combination of transit service provided by The Rapid, The Macatawa Area Express, and others.  These potential connections could link Hudsonville with Grandville, Holland, and Grand Rapids.

Maintain Existing City Streets

Establish and implement a street maintenance/asset management program that ensures that no city street falls below a 5 rating on the Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER) System.

Enact Road and Street Diets

Design and construct road diets that will narrow travel lanes, slow down traffic,and provide better and safer opportunities (including safer access to parks and schools) for pedestrians and bicyclists.  Explore opportunities to eliminate vehicle travel lanes and reduce roadway widths where appropriate.

Enhance and Maintain Connectivity

Maintain existing street intersections and increase the number of street intersections (limit cul-de-sacs and dead end streets) to facility mobility throughout the City, including the completion of Highland Drive. REFER TO MAP BELOW:

Utilize Waterways as Recreational Corridors

Whenever possible use the land adjacent to existing waterways as recreational corridors and as part of a non-motorized network. REFER TO MAP BELOW:

Enhance and Connect Non-motorized Network

Acquire necessary rights-of-way and/or easements to enhance and connect the existing non-motorized network within the City and to the existing network in adjacent municipalities.  Continue to connect nodes, districts, and corridors within the City with non-motorized paths.  Continue to consider the sidewalk as part of this network (refer to map at left).  Use paint, striping and signs to delineate this network as required.

Build Safe Routes to Schools

Build and sustain a Safe Routes To School (SRTS) Program by following the guidelines by the National Center for Safe Routes to School.  Collaborate with teachers, parents, and children to gather information, identify issues, and provide solutions, create a plan, and activate the plan.  Continue to evaluate and make necessary changes to the plan, as new information  is gathered.

Install Bike Facilities

All new development should be encouraged to provide bike facilities.  These facilities could include amenities such as secured bike storage, bike repair stations, and showers.  The City should continue to support bike culture by installing bike racks at strategic locations.

Promote Mobility Safety and Convenience for All

Implement frequent street crossings, accessible pedestrian signals, and curb extensions that balance safety and convenience for everyone using the roadway.

Collaborate with MDOT and CSX Railroad

Work with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and CSX Rail to seek design and policy solutions to facilitate more and improved connections across Chicago Drive and the existing railroad tracks for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.  Also collaborate with MDOT and CSX to ensure that there is no further removal of existing vehicular connections across Chicago Drive and railroad tracks.