Several trails and streetscape improvement
projects in Metro Detroit received a much-needed infusion of cash when the Michigan Department of Transportation
awarded $1.4 million to projects in southeast Michigan.Projects in Pontiac,
Detroit and South Lyon
all received funding, along with 16 other communities across the state. The
grants provide up to 80 percent of the funding for projects, which will break
ground this year. These projects will develop 24.7 miles of non-motorized trails and 4.7
miles of streetscape improvements across the state. Those improvements include decorative
sidewalks, landscaping, pedestrian amenities and decorative lighting.
"Michigan's trails are gateways to recreation
and tourism opportunities that grow our economy by attracting residents and
visitors alike," says Gov. Jennifer
M. Granholm. "Not only do they provide transportation and recreation
options, but they make many areas of our state more livable and desirable
places to do business."
Pontiac received a $300,576 grant that will help build 1.2 miles of trail for
the Clinton River Trail, which will
eventually extend from South Lyon to Rochester.
This project includes a shared bicycle and pedestrian path along the east side
of Bagley Street
between the existing trail and Orchard
Lake Road, then along the south side of Orchard Lake Road
between Bagley and West Woodward
Avenue. It will also go on the east side of West
Woodward Avenue between Orchard Lake Road and Judson Street and the west side
of East Woodward Avenue between Judson Street and M-59.
South Lyon's $230,730 grant will build an extension of the Huron
Valley Trail. The new path will trace from Volunteer Park
south to Eight Mile Road, east
on Eight Mile to Pontiac Trail and then south on Pontiac Trail to the Salem-South Lyon District Library.
Detroit received an $873,013 grant to improve the streetscape in its
downtown. Work will be done on Park, Witherell, Adams, Grand
River and Clifford/John R. The improvements will include bicycle
racks, decorative sidewalk, ornamental street lighting and upgrading existing
sidewalks to make it more attractive and safer for pedestrians.
Source: Michigan Department of
Transportation
Writer: Jon Zemke
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