LANSING, Mich. (June 2, 2025) — In response to years of reckless driving, illegal street racing, and dangerous speeding on state trunklines, State Sen. Sarah Anthony announced today the beginning of construction on a critical traffic calming infrastructure project in South Lansing. This project is a result of years of close collaboration with the Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) and Lansing City Councilman Adam Hussain, along with dozens of conversations with concerned residents.
On June 16, MDOT will begin construction on four pedestrian refuge islands along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, between Victor Avenue and Cavanaugh Road, in South Lansing. While reckless driving has been a reoccurring problem throughout the city for decades, this stretch of MLK Blvd. has been plagued by a high number of car crashes due to an extended segment of straight commercial corridor. Most recently, this issue was brought back into public light by a devastating crash resulting in thirteen injuries and one fatality.
“This is not an issue that can be solved overnight, but one thing is clear — it’s going to take collaboration from every level of government and our community to address the problem. Creative urban planning solutions, like pedestrian islands, are one proven mechanism to slow traffic while ensuring our city is walkable and bikeable,” said Sen. Anthony, a lifelong resident from the South side of Lansing who understands the urgency of addressing these safety concerns.
Councilman Adam Hussain further emphasized the significance of these changes in promoting the health and well-being of the Lansing community. “Creating safer streets is about more than just infrastructure,” said Hussain. “It’s about investing in the well-being of our communities. These pedestrian refuge islands are a critical first step in ensuring that everyone, whether walking or driving, can navigate Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard safely and confidently. We extend our sincere thanks to MDOT, the City of Lansing, the S. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Corridor Improvement Authority, and Senator Anthony for their collaboration and commitment to making this project a reality.”
“This project is an excellent opportunity for our agencies to work together with the shared goal of making the Lansing community a safer place for drivers and pedestrians,” MDOT University Region Engineer Greg Losch added.
In her role as Senate Appropriations Chair, Sen. Anthony has fought for key investments to tackle reckless driving and address critical public safety needs in Lansing and throughout the state of Michigan. The 2026 Senate-passed budget recommendations include:
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$2 million for wrong-way driver deterrence efforts on state highways;
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$372 million of dedicated funding to support local infrastructure across the state; and
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Over $100 million in flexible public safety dollars to meet the unique needs of local communities.
More specifically, the Community Aid for Responders and Emergency Services fund (CARES) could be used to support municipalities by funding additional law enforcement, fire infrastructure, and emergency medical services, as well as community violence intervention and behavioral health services. Sen. Anthony’s budget recommendation also includes a 10% increase in statutory revenue sharing, meaning local governments would have a significant increase in state funding for emergency response, local infrastructure projects, and other public services.
Sen. Anthony concluded, “The safety and well-being of the people I represent has always been, and will continue to be, my top priority while serving in elected office. That’s why I have worked so hard to address this issue — both through local infrastructure changes like these pedestrian islands, but also through strategic investments in the state budget. I’m grateful for the partnership of MDOT and the City of Lansing to make this project a reality, and I look forward to continuing to work on more sustainable solutions to Mid-Michigan’s public safety challenges in the coming months.”