Troy Trail and Pathway Project Delayed Again

Here's an update to my 11/24/2015 blog post Troy Trail and Pathway Project "Reboot."

I had heard a rumor that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) had rejected the latest grant application for the Troy Trail and Pathway Project. To confirm the rumor, I sent an email to Troy City Hall asking for confirmation.

I received the following email from City of Troy Public Works Manager Kurt Bovensiep...

You are correct. We did not receive TAP Grant funding for the Trails and Pathway Project. MDOT’s response was that it seemed more like a sidewalk replacement program than creating new trails. I cannot say I disagree but I certainly did not think it would disqualify us. The Transportation Route that we applied for did call for the removal of sidewalks on major roads and replacing it with 10’ wide asphalt pathway. The width and other safety considerations is something MDOT requires, following AASHTO Standards. We are currently back at the drawing board to see if we can formulate another plan to satisfy the demand for a Trail and Pathway while respecting the privacy of our residents and making grant eligible.

You would think that the folks at MDOT realize that developing a trail system in a fully-developed municipality (like Troy) is going to require the utilization of existing sidewalks.

I guess I'll have to postpone that bicycle ride I was planning to take on the new pathway.