Q. Are the traffic lanes of legal width on S. Division between William and Washington? Ever since the sidewalks were “improved” a number of years ago it has seemed impossible for three cars to be in their lanes when cars are parked at the curbs. Making matters worse is the lack of well-painted lanes.

A. Two years ago temporary lane markings were painted in anticipation of resurfacing. The resurfacing was delayed, and meanwhile snowplows and traffic wore away the temporary markings.

The permanent markings were applied this September. Lane width is not codified by law; Ann Arbor’s range from nine to twelve feet (planners debate the diverse effects of lane width, but it’s generally agreed that wider lanes encourage faster driving). The new lanes on Division are about ten and a half feet.

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