Over the last four years, communities across Southeast Michigan have implemented innovative and regionally impactful Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) projects. As we look to continue this trend with our call for FY 2018 TAP projects (application due on January 30th), I want to highlight a few of the projects completed this past year and congratulate the communities, partners, and stakeholders who made them happen!
With transportation projects, the process from an idea, to a plan, to design, to securing funds, and finally construction is not always a smooth ride. Much work, patience, and coordination is needed for an idea on paper to become a constructed project. Whether it’s a trail, a streetscape, or a midblock safety crossing, one thing is certain: the finished project is likely to be the result of years (and in some cases, decades) of meetings, planning, and negotiations.
As we look forward to the 2017 construction season of TAP projects in the region, the following four projects, using nearly $1.5 million in TAP funding, highlight the successes (and dedication and patience) from 2016!
City of Ann Arbor: Gallup Park Trail Reconstruction
More than a mile of the Border to Border (B2B)/Iron Belle Trail in Washtenaw County was reconstructed and enhanced, using $448,000 in TAP funding. This particular stretch of trail is the main gateway to the Ann Arbor park system, serving as both a recreational and commuter route. This reconstruction and enhancement included:
- Replacing and widening the pathway from 8 to 10 feet;
- Improving safety and accessibility of the trail to accommodate all users; and
- Adding bicycle parking and streamlined wayfinding signage.
City of Dearborn: Rouge River Gateway Trail Extension
A one-third-mile trail extension, mostly through an elevated boardwalk along the Rouge River, connects the existing trail off Michigan Avenue to Ford Field Park. From the trailhead at Ford Field Park, this extension (using $302,000 in TAP funding) allows walkers, runners, and bicyclists to traverse through natural areas, the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and Henry Ford College, all the way to Hines Park.
City of Ferndale: Woodward Avenue Bicycle Network through Six Communities
A 17-mile bicycle network connects six neighboring communities – Ferndale, Royal Oak, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Oak Park, and Pleasant Ridge – through a series of enhancements. Using $194.000 in TAP funds, these include signage, pavement markings, pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements, wayfinding stations, bike repair stations, and parking racks for bicycles. Additionally, this bicycle network provides safe bicycle connections to two central business districts, two libraries, 13 parks, 10 schools, one university, and several additional activity centers.
City of Saline: Michigan Avenue Streetscape
As part of the $9 million reconstruction of Michigan Avenue in downtown Saline, SEMCOG provided $540,000 in TAP funds to streetscape from Lewis Street to Harris Street, and along Ann Arbor Street, one block north and south of Michigan Avenue. Included as part of this streetscape are new sidewalk and brick pavers, pedestrian-oriented lighting, benches, and two median islands to calm traffic and serve as pedestrian refuge for mid-block crossings.
If your community is interested in learning more about TAP or has a project that requires funds, please consider attending the January 13th SEMCOG University on TAP.
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