The boxes show the percent change in traffic from 2000 to 20008. Traffic is down at all locations in the Thumb. At the stakeholder meeting we discussed possible explanations. Do you have other explanations?
Parks supervisor is not surprised by downward trends between Port Austin and Caseville. He has seen consistent drops in the number of visitors to parks – Sleeper and Port Crescent.
It’d be interesting to see how traffic has changed over time. Need to see % decline over time.
Could be decrease in real estate market. Lots of second homes in the areas with the biggest decrease in traffic. Many homes are on the market.
People are not traveling to their vacation homes as often, or if they do, they make it a cheaper trip and travel around Thumb less.
Phragmites & muck are issues. DEQ- designated beaches “unsafe” and closed beaches.
No major road projects that might have influenced traffic trends. In general, road projects in the Thumb are small, 2 -3 days for minor resurfacing, with never more than a 10 minute delay. Thumb doesn’t have major freeways.
Charting the Course - Comment Pages 