Scio Township, Milan plan non-motorized paths
Washtenaw Area Transportation Study policy committee Chairman Jim Carson and members of the committee have approved a letter of support for two planned non-motorized pathways, one in Scio Township and the other in Milan.
Scio Township has proposed a non-motorized pathway on the west side of Zeeb Road, said Township Clerk Nancy Hedberg. It will serve 1,600 residents and provide access to 2,260 jobs within a half-mile of the path.
“The traffic counts vary from 22,000 just north of I-94 to more than 12,000 south of Dexter-Ann Arbor Road,” according to the letter of support.
There are “limited gravel shoulders,” in the area, which makes it challenging for both drivers, bikers and walkers.
“We see this (pathway) as a vision over the next 20 years and would like to see this get started,” Hedberg said.
The path will provide access to three government buildings along Zeeb Road, including the Scio Township Hall.
In Milan, there is currently a “highly-used trail system that runs from the downtown to the eastern city limits,” and this proposed path would connect the far western city limit into the Washtenaw County property adjacent to the city, said Mike Armitage, secretary-treasurer of WATS and a Milan city councilman.
By completing this non-motorized project, Armitage said Milan will “address the imminent threat to Wabash Street caused by erosion on the shore of Ford Lake.”
“The proposed trail will provide significant recreational value as it traverses the city’s park system, primarily along the Saline Rover and Ford Lake,” according to the letter.
Lisa Allmendinger is a regional reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com.
Comments
Sandi
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 : 6:12 p.m.
What was left out of the article........the township is trying to get a $300,000 grant from the state of Mich. For a million dollar pathway project. The grant was rejected once already! Our tax dollars are going to fund this! Shouldn't our township officials be looking for grants to fix our roads! A million dollar non-motorized bike path seems very extravagant. The good news is I'll be able to ride my bike to Miejer on Jackson road, oh wait I can't carry a gallon of milk on my bike. Well then I'll ride to Lowes, oh wait, I can't carry drywall on my bike. Guess I'll ride to McDonalds Yuk!!!
areader
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.
On the Scio twp path, I would like to have had more information on the length of the path. How far along the west side of Zeeb road will the path be. Will is go the full length of Zeeb within Scio twp? Or just a small portion? What portion?
westa2
Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 4:02 p.m.
Why is the Clerk commenting on walking paths? Does she have a vested interest?
tommy_t
Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 3:38 a.m.
How much will the frontages be taxed? Will the drainage have to be changed? Big bucks to do that.
ruminator
Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 1:39 a.m.
Great plan. Let's develop a bike / walking path along every road. No need for those expensive full size highways. A rickshaw in every garage. Oh wait, Lansing will find a way to tax those too!
Dog Guy
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 11:58 p.m.
Perhaps those public-spirited Scio residents who ruined the Costco proposal will also protect us from hoards of bicyclists.
ScioReader
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.
Great news. This shows real vision on the part of th epolicy committee. I hope the County will come up with some funds to help move this process along.
justcurious
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 9:43 p.m.
Oh, this will make it easier to bike to the road commission. How nice.