Dearborn to Discuss Gateway Trail Extension Dec. 13
Workers in 2005 put finishing touches on the bridge over the Rouge River that is part of the Gateway Trail.
The Dearborn Recreation Commission is seeking public input on a plan to extend the popular Rouge River Gateway Trail with a new elevated walkway behind the Andiamo restaurant on Michigan Avenue, past the Dearborn Historical Museum, to the Brady Street bike lane.
The city of Dearborn has been discussing extending the trail since early 2008, once hoping to use the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) project work as a way to get matching funds for the project.
Back in 2008, Kurt Giberson, then Dearborn Public Works Director, said the city was trying to get a matching grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to help cover costs with the project. The grant request back then was to have provided the city $350,000 to cover construction costs for a portion of the extension of the path. Total costs for the project in 2008, which called for the trail to be extended to Ford Field Park, were estimated to cost as much as $1 million. This included costs for new bridgework along the Rouge.
Under this latest grant application to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), it appears the trail would only be extended to the Brady Street bike lane. The city did not indicate costs for this new project in a press release issued Monday. However, the grant application to MDOT apparently would cover construction costs for the path extension. The Dec. 13 meeting is being held so the Recreation Commission can obtain public input on Dearborn’s grant application with MDOT.
The paved trail now begins just east of Andiamo on Michigan Avenue and travels through natural areas along the banks of the Rouge River. The meandering 2.16-mile trail crosses the Rouge River twice and runs through the campuses of the University of Michigan-Dearborn and Henry Ford Community College (HFCC).
From there, it connects with the bike path in Edward Hines Park, north of Ford Road, and goes on to Northville, for a total of 19 miles.
The Dearborn path, which opened in October 2005, was made possible by the city, UM-Dearborn, HFCC, Wayne County, MDOT and the Community Foundation.
Individuals with disabilities wanting to attend the Dec. 13 meeting who require special accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to attend or participate in this public meeting should contact (313) 943-2350 or TTY (313) 943-2199. Advance notice is required.
December 6th, 2011 at 8:44 am
LOVE that trail! and it’s so popular! I hope we get this money!
December 6th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
So let us let the commercial district go to hell. Is this another end around by the city to garner some nebulous funds to enhance Dearborn? Is there going to be another food court halfway down the trail to draw non residents to our beautiful environs? Will pet companions (dirty word: dogs) allowed on this venture to Dearborn Heights? The Mayor supported dog walking in city parks but of course he cow-towed to the NIMBY jerks who fear that dogs will “take down “Heather and Joshua” while they eat Oreos and Goldfish crackers in the shelters. Crowley Park is an excellent example. Errant? Misguided? The city can’t get people to walk and shop down its main street yet throws this sop to the citizens who think that Dearborn is a “cool city.”
December 6th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
The trail was packed every time I drove by Andiamo’s this past summer. This extension will make it much safer and more scenic for people to access the trail and the Hines Dr. trail. Great idea!