SEMCOG’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) provides communities with both federal funding and SEMCOG technical assistance to help make roadways more walkable, bikeable, and environmentally friendly. TAP projects are transportation-related improvements to roadways, local streets, and corridors. Most often, they address mobility options through new or enhanced bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. This includes things such as pathways, bike lanes, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossings. TAP can also fund green infrastructure projects that mitigate environmental concerns from the road network.
SEMCOG administers three application cycles per year, consistent with MDOT TAP. This allows communities more flexibility to apply when a project is ready rather than rushing or delaying an application. Communities can also choose to apply for future fiscal year funding instead of the nearest funding year. As a result, SEMCOG now makes funding decisions multiple times per year. TAP funding awardees are selected by SEMCOG’s Regional Review Committee, which is comprised of local elected officials in Southeast Michigan. Applicants for TAP funding for projects should review SEMCOG’s competitiveness criteria.
Each project requires matching/additional funding from other federal, state, philanthropic and/or local sources. In March 2021, SEMCOG announced $3.6 million for eight projects. In December 2021, SEMCOG announced $2.8 million for four projects:
Monroe County
An award of $1,456,544 in FY2023 TAP funds was made for the Monroe Loop Trail, a 6.5 mile shared-use path and way-finding project, which extends the River Raisin Heritage Trail and connects residents living or working in equity and demand areas to parks and core services within the City of Monroe, Monroe Township, Raisinville Township and Frenchtown Township. Destinations include Monroe High School, Monroe County Community College, Monroe County Fair Grounds, Ellis Library, Munson Park, River Raisin National Battlefield Park and William C. Sterling State Park. The project also helps fulfill the vision of SEMCOG’s Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Corridors, serving as central hub for corridors to the north, south and west.
“We are both excited and grateful for the TAP funding awarded for the Monroe Loop Trail Project,” said Michael Bosanac, Monroe County Administrator. “We are excited to be able to partner with the City of Monroe and Monroe and Frenchtown Townships. The project will link users of the trail to local, state and federal assets for citizens and visitors to enjoy. This is certainly a unique aspect of the project to connect the National Battlefield Park to the Sterling State Park and local cultural, educational and recreational sites.
“And we are grateful to the technical support and strength of SEMCOG in being there every step of the way to realize the vision of the soon-to-be community asset. We look forward to the continued build-up of trails in our communities where citizens and visitors can experience the natural beauty of Michigan’s Cornerstone County while promoting healthy activities for the whole family,” said Bosanac.
City of Rochester Hills
An award of $338,454 in FY2023 TAP funding was made for the Drexelgate Parkway Pathway project, which includes traffic-calming measures and a one-mile shared-use path that connects local residents in Bicycle and Pedestrian Demand Areas with the Clinton River Trail (part of the Great Lake to Lake Trail) and the Township’s local shared-use pathway system.
“We are thrilled to receive this incredibly important TAP Grant from SEMCOG as it will address and improve one of the city’s most pressing transportation needs,” said Bryan Barnett, Rochester Hills Mayor. “We remain grateful for the importance work that SEMCOG does for our region and are proud to partner with them to bring these critical safety improvements to Rochester Hills.”
Shelby Township
An award of $268,169 in FY2023 TAP funds was made for a new sidewalk and pedestrian bridge along 25 Mile Road connecting Heath Side Drive and Apple Lane. The project connects students to Eisenhower High School and fills one the last gaps between Mound Road and Van Dyke Avenue. The project also builds upon the Township’s FY2022 TAP project on 21 Mile, 22 Mile and 25 Mile roads, which aims to safely connect residents to local core services and regional trails.
“Based on meetings with residents and the Sidewalk Committee and feedback from our community visioning process, we know a top priority for our community is to improve pedestrian safety near our parks and schools,” said Lisa Casali, Shelby Township Trustee and Sidewalk Committee member. “This grant will be a fantastic asset in those efforts. In addition to this project, we’ve also invested in more than 1,300 feet of new sidewalks and have other grants in place to facilitate a safe pedestrian crossing across 25 Mile Road into our schools,” said Casali.
City of Wixom
$748,914 in FY2022 TAP funding for Michigan Air Line and Huron Valley Trail Extension. This project fills a gap between Wixom Road and Old Plank Road. It provides approximately 2.4 miles of shared-use path, protected bike lanes, and safe crossings, helping implement SEMCOG’s vision of Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Corridors and connecting downtown Wixom with the Great Lake to Lake Trail.
“Wixom is very grateful to receive this TAP Grant award from SEMCOG for Phase 2 of the Michigan Air Line Trail in our community,” said Steven Brown, City Manager, Wixom. “We look forward to building on our Phase 1 success which was also funded by a TAP award. We are particularly excited to bring the trail and users directly into Downtown Wixom alongside Pontiac Trail just west of Wixom Road and to connect to the Huron Valley Trail to the west,” said Brown.
“SEMCOG TAP funds are key to the evolution of the Air Line – generating local, regional, and cross-state connections – as a key link in Michigan’s growing trail network,” said John Hensler, Airline Trail Manager. “The Air Line Trailway Management Council applauds SEMCOG’s participation in helping create a recreational gem that’s already embraced by the communities it passes through and will continue to for generations to come,” said Hensler.
Ferndale and Pleasant Ridge
Earlier this month, SEMCOG announced $1.17 million for the Woodward Moves Complete Streets project in the cities of Ferndale and Pleasant Ridge for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). What could have been just a “routine” highway restoration project through two communities in Oakland County is being used as an opportunity to transform one of Southeast Michigan’s iconic arterial roadways.
Woodward Ave. has, for years, been recognized as a corridor ready for a complete streets makeover with enhancements to better accommodate bicycling, walking, and transit ridership. Woodward Moves Complete Streets is the result of coordinated efforts among the cities of Pleasant Ridge and Ferndale as well as MDOT. SEMCOG is pleased to see this next stage of investment after providing support for a recent traffic study via a Planning Assistance Grant; community leaders have facilitated three years of robust public discussion and meetings with residents and businesses to consider and prepare for this significant change.
“This is three years and multiple partner agencies in the making, and I’m so excited that we’re finally able to make this announcement,” said Ferndale Mayor Melanie Piana. “We’ve had a community-supported vision for years of a safer Woodward, a road that supports all users and unites our downtown rather than dividing it. We’re now one step closer to achieving this goal.”
“It’s clear that the way we work, shop, learn, play, relax and consume energy are all changing, and our modes of transportation will adjust to accommodate this sea change,” said Pleasant Ridge Mayor Bret Scott. “We’re very happy to take part in the process and collaborate with our neighbors and partners to respond to the evolving needs of our community.”
The Woodward Moves Complete Streets project, a joint effort between the cities of Ferndale and Pleasant Ridge in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation, seeks to create a more inclusive, safe, and accessible experience along the stretch of Woodward between I-696 and 8 Mile Rd. It will include the reduction of a travel lane on each side of Woodward, targeted improvements to alleyways and sidewalks, shorter pedestrian crossings, parking-protected bike lanes, improved visibility at intersections, and new ADA ramps. The project will be constructed in coordination with a separate road preservation project on Woodward Avenue helping decrease costs and construction-related impacts to road users and the communities. In addition to SEMCOG’s $1.17 million contribution to this project, MDOT is contributing $1.17 million, which are both matched by the Cities of Ferndale ($1.23 million) and Pleasant Ridge ($140,000).
An exciting component of this project is the protected bike lanes, which are on-street or street-adjacent bike lanes that are physically separated from travel lanes and walkways with vertical elements, such as flexible plastic pots, planters, curbs, and on-street parking. The bike lanes can be one-way or bi-directional. They are designed to provide the same level of comfort as shared-use paths but are exclusively for bicycle travel. They are useful where sidewalks currently exist but where no dedicated space is provided for bicyclists. In addition to the separated bike lanes, the project will include enhancements to adjacent alleyways, sidewalks, and paths to ensure safe connectivity throughout the corridor.
Proposed corridor typical cross-section – Interim Design
These projects are representative of Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023. Additional projects that met the October 2021 application deadline will be considered by SEMCOG’s Regional Review Committee in the coming months. With more and more TAP project examples to see around the region, we are encouraged to see more communities being inspired to purse complete streets improvements. If you are considering projects that might qualify for TAP funds, let us know.
Leave a Reply