More than three miles of trails in Metro Detroit will get a shot in the arm now that the Michigan Department of Transportation has awarded federal funds for non-motorized trail enhancements.
The lucky winners are Milford, Orion Township and Gibraltar, which will use the funds to either build new trails or refurbish existing ones. The idea is to help spread the economic development dollars that follow transit lines by giving extra funding to areas that provide more transportation options.
"This will help make Michigan a better place for residents, tourists and businesses alike," says Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm.
Milford will receive one of the biggest allotments of cash in order to build a 2.9 mile trail from the Milford Dam to the Huron River Parkway. It will be an important part of a larger system throughout Oakland County, connecting places such as the Island Lake State Recreation Area and downtown South Lyon.
The village is working with Milford Township, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks and the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan. Federal funds are covering $609,355 of the $2.5 million project.
Federal funds will also cover $294,463 of a $420,661-project to refurbish and extend the Polly Ann Trail in Orion Township. Workers will resurface existing portions of the Polly Ann Trail, acquire and construct a 1,045 foot extension of it south of the existing trail and build a trail west on ITC Transmission corridor property. The work that will be done includes removing railroad ties, grading and surfacing the trail with limestone.
About $73,000 in federal funds are playing a major part in Gibrarltar building a $91,000 non-motorized path. The trail, although short, will provide a critical link for the extensive Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative. It will follow North Gibraltar Road from Middle Gibraltar Road to the Humbug Marsh International Wildlife Refuge.
The grants are part of a larger $3.3 million package of federal monies the MDOT awarded to seven greenway projects across the state. Those projects will add or improve 14.7 miles of trails in the state's trail network. Under federal law, 10 percent of federal surface transportation funds are set aside for these types of projects, such as streetscapes and non-motorized trails. They provide a maximum of 80 percent of the money required for each project. The rest comes from state or local government or the private sector.
Source: Michigan Department of Transportation
Writer: Jon Zemke
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