It’s one very popular question: When is the West Bloomfield trail going to continue west and connect with the Huron Valley Trail. Soon we may have an answer.

But first, why is there an 8 mile missing link between these two existing trails? Unlike the other surrounding railroad segments, this one was never abandoned. In fact the dinner train (Coe Railroad) was running on this track until recently. That train has now stopped and the railroad property is being abandoned and sold.

West Bloomfield’s portion (shown in green on the map below) will be available first since there are no existing rail customers along the tracks. West Bloomfield is pursuing grants to acquire the land and extend their trail west to Haggerty Road.

The other railroad property (shown in blue) did have some rail customers, so the abandonment process will take longer. still communities along the way are looking at possibly purchasing the property for a trail. We encourage them to make that purchase to help complete the Michigan Airline trail from Lake St. Clair to Lake Michigan. (“Michigan Airline” was the name of the rail line which this trail uses to cross the state.)

The Spinal Column recently ran an article with additional details: Communities may buy Coe Railroad for trails.

Lastly, this missing link would also connect with the proposed I-275 pathway extension along M-5.  We’ve also advocated for trails along Martin Road to connect with Oakland Park and the Lakes Community Trail.

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Original trestle over the Clinton River in Pontiac

The Clinton River Trail has come a long way after some long struggles. The negotiations to buy the land seemed endless at the time. One of the low points was when the railroad put up for sales signs on the property while we trying to negotiate an affordable price. Fortunately a lot of good folks were pushing for the trail, including Dan Keifer and County Commissioner Bob Gosselin (then a state representative.)

That low point was soon forgotten as the trail was acquired and developed into what it is now.

Last night was a visioning workshop to discuss and determine on what trail features and amenities need to be added in order to make the Clinton River Trail world-class.

It was a very successful workshop that was very well attended. There were the usual faces that have been supportive through the years, along with many new faces. It’s great to see the continued interest in this great community asset and it leaves little doubt that the trail is well on its way to becoming world class.

Mark from Canada posted the below comment on the MTGA web site.  We’ve reprinted it here (with his permission) because it echoes our push for safe AASHTO on-road bicycle facilities in Oakland County.  It’s great that Ontario is so forward-thinking and progressive with respect to cycling.

I’m accustomed to road cycling in Canada, and planning a visit with a friend in Oakland County. I can’t believe I’m being pushed onto “recreational trails” if I want to cycle! I want to get places and see the community, not paved trails in woodlands or parks! Bikes are classified as a vehicle by Ontario’s road authority, and there’re active advocacy groups successfully pushing for bike lanes on current and future roadways. Maybe we have a healthier mindset in Canada. Or maybe Michigan just can let go of the narrow minded car mindset. I recall seeing some arterials without sidewalks even!

Cyclists often speculate about why Metro Detroit doesn’t offer safer biking options.

A common culprit is our motor city heritage.

I disagree. I think it’s because we just don’t ask.

In communities where residents have effectively asked for biking options, they got them. Ferndale is a prime example. Troy could be the next one. Both communities surveyed their residents and the number one response was for better biking and walkability.

So how do you ask? Here’s a great option that’s painless and probably somewhat fun.

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) is hosting meetings where “the public is invited to express their opinions regarding the future of Southeast Michigan’s transportation system.”

The meetings are next week at three different locations:

• Monday, July 21, 2008, SEMCOG offices, 535 Griswold, Suite 300, Detroit; 4-7 p.m. (formal presentations begin at 4:10 p.m. and 5:40 p.m.);
• Tuesday, July 22, 2008, Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Rd, Southfield; 4-7 p.m. (formal presentations begin at 4:10 p.m. and 5:40 p.m.); and
• Wednesday, July 23, 2008, Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building, Ann Arbor; 9 a.m.-12 noon (formal presentations begin at 9:10 a.m. and 10:40 a.m.)

Please attend one of these meeting and make your “ASK” for better bicycling facilities in Southeast Michigan.

If you’re unable to attend, you can email your comments to infocenter@semcog.org. You can also take their on-line survey.

Here are additional details from SEMCOG’s press release: (more…)

In a prior post, we noted that many road agencies and municipalities in Metro Detroit are the major roadblock to getting safe bicycling facilities.

For example, the Road Commission of Oakland County refuses to acknowledge much less use best practices for bicycling facilities. They ignore the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHTO) guidelines for bicycling facilities. They ignore Federal Highway Administration guidance. They ignore bicycling safety studies that show their policies have been consistently found to be unsafe.

We appreciate the fact that Craig Bryson, Public Information Officer for the Road Commission for Oakland County responded:

The Road Commission for Oakland County has no objection to bikers. We simply have no money available to make costly improvements to roads to allow bikers. We cannot afford to simply maintain smooth pavement on the roads or even begin to address the massive congestion that clogs our roads everyday. It would be very difficult to justify spending scarce resources on bike facilities when we can’t maintain the existing roads. If you are proposing additional funding just for bike facilities, we’re more than willing to listen.

However, Craig isn’t correct. It’s not about the road money.

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