Below is a recent press release from the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance.  I am quite thrilled to be in this new position and look forward to helping implement trails within the City of Detroit.

New Detroit Greenways Coordinator: A Boost to City Trails

Detroit’s greenways, existing and in the works, will get a boost with a new greenways coordinator set to begin today.   A lead grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan for $20,000 was awarded to Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA) to provide the mechanism for coordination and collaboration among eight individual non-profit groups with greenways in various stages of implementation within the City of Detroit.

MTGA has contracted with Todd Scott from Royal Oak to serve in the position.  Todd was formerly Executive Director of Michigan Mountain Biking Association and has held numerous advisory positions related to trails and on-road bicycling, including the Citizen’s Committee for Michigan State Parks, Oakland Trails Advisory Council, MDOT Metro Region Nonmotorized Advisory Committee, City of Ferndale Bicycle Committee, and the League of Michigan Bicyclists.  “Todd’s skilled advocacy, wealth of knowledge about nonmotorized transportation and recreation, and understanding of and enthusiasm for the revitalization of Detroit are key ingredients that he brings to this project,” stated Nancy Krupiarz, Executive Director of MTGA.  Todd has spent a great deal of time in the City, as a recreational participant and an advocate, and he is passionate about the economic, health, and transportation benefits that an interconnected greenway system will bring to the area.” (more…)

University of Michigan urban planning graduate students are completing a couple studies in conjunction with the Eight Mile Boulevard Association and Macomb County Planning.

One study examined how to improve non-motorized transportation along Eight Mile. Different solutions were proposed for portions of Eight Mile due to its changing density, traffic speeds, and service levels. Some suggestions included bike lanes, bike parking, improved crossings, and more. With Eight Mile being reconstructed in upcoming years, it’s hoped that some of these suggestions could be integrated with those efforts.

The second study was to connect Detroit’s Conner Creek Greenway to Warren’s Red Run Rec Center. There were two suggested routes, either or both could be implemented. The first crossed east of the Eight Mile/Van Dyke (V-8) intersection and continued north along MacArthur Boulevard and the ITC power line corridor. The other route included on-road bike lanes along Van Dyke, which like Eight Mile will be reconstructed in the near future.

Both routes look good. ?The ITC route offered more greenspace, while the Van Dyke route provide better business access. Also, the Van Dyke route isn’t too far from Sherwood Avenue which provides excellent access between Warren, Centerline, and Detroit. That makes it a tad bit redundant.

The study’s proposed Eight Mile crossing does not include a pedestrian bridge for many of the reasons we cited earlier. MDOT agreed. And there was one additional reason not to build a large steel raised bridge over Eight Mile. It would have to run just under the high-power lines which run down the center boulevard. Doh!

The alternative provides a highly-visible signalized crossing, which really seems to make the most sense for both pedestrians and cyclists. The group proposed a HAWK signalized crossing, which would require some changes to Michigan’s current road laws.

The importance of this cross-county trail link is immense from both the non-motorized and political perspectives. Starting from the Detroit River, one could eventually take the Connor Creek Greenway north to Warren, along the proposed Red Run trail into Madison Heights or Sterling Heights, with connections to the Metro Parkway and Clinton River pathway.

Phase I of Detroit’s Dequindre Cut continues to make progress. It is expected that paving will begin within the next week or two. One estimate says it will be completed by July.

Phase I runs from Woodbridge, near the river, north to Gratiot. This basically connects the riverfront, Tri-Centennial Park, Lafayette Park, Elmwood, and Eastern Market.

Phase II continues north of Gratiot to Mack. That portion of the rail corridor is still privately owned, though discussions are underway for it’s sale to the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.

The hope is that eventually future phases will continue further north still and connect with Hamtramck, Highland Park, and more.

MDOT recently installed High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) signs along Michigan Avenue from Wyoming to Downtown.  They reserve the rightmost travel lane for vehicles with two or more passengers.  This includes buses.  It wouldn’t include bicycles.

Do that mean cyclists would have to stay out of the HOV lane and ride more in the center of Michigan Avenue?

But to back up first, as noted in the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press articles, Michigan law does not allow for the enforcement of HOV violators. MDOT is looking at changing the law and adding HOV definition and enforcement language.

I contacted MDOT Metro Region Engineer Greg Johnson and shared concerns about how bicycles fit into this mix. Preferably bicycles would continue riding on the right side of the road.  Mr. Johnson forwarded these concerns “to ensure that we take bicyclists into account in this language.”

Of course, long term Michigan Avenue is planned to have bike lanes once it is reconstructed through this stretch.  But for now we just don’t want cyclists getting tickets for riding in a safe and reasonable manner.

The Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan brought Majora Carter to Detroit this week for a series of presentations on her Sustainable South Bronx work. There are a myriad of similar challenges in both the South Bronx and Detroit.

Majora’s efforts have resulted in the area’s first new riverfront park in 60 years, plans and funding for a major greenway/trail system, a green-collar training program, a green roof program, and much more. Her presentation was very inspiring.

Her presentation was similar to one she made in 2006 at TED. I highly recommend devoting 19 minutes to watching it. You will not be disappointed.