By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — The city of received $154,900 in funding from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments to build a trail connector from Hines Park to Rouge Park as part of the Rouge River Greenway system.
Wayne County will lead the project spanning 0.2 miles which should be completed within one year of the funding award date.
SEMCOG Economic and Community Vitality Manager Kevin Vettraino said the project will connect the Hines Park bikeway through Parkland Park to Ann Arbor Trail.
Features will be the addition of green infrastructure such as a rain garden to treat storm water along with the trail and path linking into Hines Park or lower Rouge trail.
SEMCOG announced $10 million in funding for 19 walking and biking projects in southeast Michigan as part of the Transportation Alternatives Program.
“Again, this exciting project is a re-award where Wayne County received TAP funding last year to implement a trail connector from Hines to Rouge Park,” Whitney Lewis, Wayne County director of Communications and Community Outreach for the Department of Public Services, said in an email. “This project is a part of the Rouge River Greenway system.”
Funding for the projects will add to southeast Michigan’s regional trail system and improve safety, according to a SEMCOG press release.
“TAP projects include new pathways and pathway enhancements, new trails and trail connections, protected bike lanes, pedestrian enhancements, and projects encouraging students in grades K-8 to walk or bike to school,” the release said. “By providing safer walking and bicycling access to schools, filling critical gaps in the regional trail system, and enhancing walkability in downtowns, TAP improves the existing transportation system and provides safe new options.”
Applications for the project funding were submitted in February and the SEMCOG Regional Review Committee comprised of local elected officials in Southeast Michigan selected last week.
“Walking and biking improvements implement regional planning priorities, offering transportation choices, promoting safety for all road users, and improving quality of life in southeast Michigan,” SEMCOG Executive Director Kathleen Lomako said.
The 18 other projects be in Ann Arbor Township, Bruce Township, Clinton Township, Detroit, Dexter, Ecorse, River Rouge, Ferndale, Flat Rock, Genoa Township, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Michigan Department of Natural Resources in Green Oak Township, Orion Township, Romulus, Scio Township, Shelby Township and Westland.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected])