Ypsilanti to begin work on Textile Road Trail

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 | Source: Concentrate

Ypsilanti Township is getting ready to finish off another section of the Border to Border Trail this summer when it extends the Textile Road Trail.

"This is basically infill," says Joe Lawson, planning and development coordinator for Ypsilanti Township, explaining that the township already has an extensive trail network for alternative means of transportation.

The township is making plans to build a 10-foot wide asphalt path along Textile Road in two phases over the next two summers. The 5,300-foot long trail will connect a pair of township parks, local neighborhoods and a high-rise for senior-citizen.

This year it plans to build about 4,000 feet of the trail between Rawsonville and Bridge roads. The $200,000 project, partly paid for with a $100,000 grant from Washtenaw County's Connecting Communities program, will begin in August and finish in time for the fall.

The second phase, set for next summer, will go from Bridge Road to Lakeview Park, which connect to an existing trail at Huron River Drive. North Hydro Park will also be connected to the trail system thanks to the project. The trail will provide a serene way to travel for pedestrians, bicyclists and rollerbladers.

The Connecting Communities program will focus on helping finish the Border to Border Trail. So far 17 of the proposed 35 miles are operational. The trail runs east/west through Washtenaw County connecting Livingston and Wayne counties. The program is also looking for bike lane, crosswalk and other non-motorized projects that can help connect local communities.

Source: Joe Lawson, planning and development coordinator for Ypsilanti Township?
Writer: Jon Zemke