Neighborhood
CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS RECEIVES $619,514 GRANT FROM THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO BUILD SEWARD AVENUE BIKEWAY, COMPLETING A SAFE, CONTINUOUS URBAN AND REGIONAL BIKE ROUTE.
Contact:
Pitch:
The City of Grand Rapids has been awarded a $619,514 grant from the Michigan Department of
Transportation (MDOT) to construct the Seward Avenue Bikeway. This three-and-a-half mile
bike route through the heart of the city will connect over 190 miles of regional trails, including
the White Pine Trail, Oxford Street Trail, and Kent Trails. The City Commission will recognize
all funders at the Committee of the Whole on December 3, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. in City Hall, 9th
floor.
The project supports the city’s goals to provide additional transportation modes and non-motorized system continuity.
Located along Seward Avenue from Wealthy Street to the
Riverside park Trail trailhead, the bikeway is a combination of on-street bike lanes, sharrows,
off-road multi-use trail, and bike parking. Additional elements include a bike shelter and bike
lockers, bike signs and signals, retaining wall, fencing, railroad crossing improvements, and
upgraded pedestrian bridge over Indian Mill Creek at Broadway Avenue.
The estimated total cost of the project is $1,060,000 with $619,514 coming from Federal
Transportation Alternatives Program funds and $440,486 of participating and non-participating
match funds. The match will be provided by various sources including the City of Grand Rapids,
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., Bikes Belong, and Freewheeler Bike Shop.
Partnerships were established with the Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition, CycleSafe Inc.,
and the Freewheeler Bike Shop to provide technical expertise for various components of the
project including the bike shelter, bike lockers, and the rest area along the route.
For more information:
Mike Smith, MDOT Grant Coordinator, Office of Economic Development – (517) 241-3355
Chris Zull, Manager, City of Grand Rapids Traffic Safety Department – (616)456-3065
Suzanne Schulz, City of Grand Rapids Planning Director – (616) 456-3646
Jay Steffen, Assistant Director, City of Grand Rapids Planning Department – (616) 456-4308
James Hurt, City of Grand Rapids Public Services Director, (616) 456-3312
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