Categories
Complete Streets

NoMo-vember: Detroit Bike & Trail Project updates

  • Bike lanes were removed from recent safety funding projects: Warren & Mack
  • Downtown Bike Network implementation on hold due to downtown construction. Focusing on east-west connectors now.
  • Equipment breakdowns have affected bike lane maintenance
  • Caitlin Marcon is the Deputy DPW Director of Complete Streets

Detroit’s quarterly non-motorized facilities meeting was last week and there were many updates we want to pass along.

Safety Projects

Grant funding is available in the federal transportation bill to redesign streets with high crash rates. Detroit has many high crash roads and has been successfully receiving this funding through MDOT. Traffic Engineering does Complete Streets designs on these high crash roads, which always includes better walking facilities (e.g. crosswalks, countdown Walk/Don’t Walk timers) and often bike facilities (e.g. bike lanes). These projects typically receive minimal community engagement — usually a public meeting.

In 2017, Warren Avenue from the city of Dearborn (near Central) to Dequindre received funding. The plan included protected bike lanes. Given Mayor Duggan’s concern about removing vehicle lanes to add bike lanes without more public discussion, these have been pulled from the project. The two-way conversion of Warren in Woodbridge was completed. We are advocating that the city does add quality bike lanes on Warren from Trumbull to Dequindre. They would be a great connection between Woodbridge, Wayne State, and Eastern Market.

In 2018, Mack Avenue from the Dequindre Cut to Alter was funded. Bike lanes were not included except for the bridge between St. Aubin and Conner Avenue.

Harper Avenue was selected for 2019. With more community engagement, bike lanes can and should be included in these projects as they are a key design element for building safer streets.

Downtown Bike Lane Network

An earlier revision of the Downtown Bike Network Plan

Downtown has long lacked bike lanes. With MoGo and now motorized scooters, the need for a good bike network is greater than ever. The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) has been working on a plan, received funding from MDOT and the Erb Family Foundation, but didn’t have enough. With the added mobility staff in both the planning and public works departments, the city has taken a large role in the project.

We learned at the recent meeting that with all of the ongoing downtown construction, it wasn’t realistic to build the entire network now. What the DDP and City are looking to do is build two major east-west connectors through downtown. Those are Adams from Beacon Park to Brush and Michigan Avenue-to-E. Lafayette connector.

Bike Lane Maintenance

Recent equipment breakdowns have affected the city’s ability to sweep the bike lanes. They have been using blowers until they can get the sweepers repaired, or better still, get specialized bike lane maintenance equipment. The latter really is the best solution in the long run and we’re pushing city to make this happen.

Detroit’s Complete Streets Deputy Director

Caitlin Marcon had been leading  mobility planning within the Planning and Development Department. She’s now a Deputy Director at the Public Works Department and in charge of Complete Streets. This is a big deal and should help build collaboration between the two city departments.

It’s a bit hard to believe this has happened. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we started pushing the city to consider building Complete Streets.

Congratulations, Caitlin.

Categories
Greenways Newsletter

News from the Trail – November 2018

Please Vote

Trails like the Joe Louis Greenway are not on the ballot today, but the politicians making trail funding decisions are. We’re members of the Detroit Environmental Agenda and they have more voting information including Detroit Charter Revision Commissioners.

To make getting to the polls a bit easier, Lime scooters are offering free 30-minute rides today with the promo code LIME2VOTE2018.

Joe Louis Greenway

Framework Planning Proposals are due this week. With this being such a critical greenway planning process, we put together this brief article on what we think a winning proposal should include. First and foremost is community engagement. It’s a long trail and we want to make sure everyone gets the opportunity to participate in the design process. This is much more than just a trail project.

The city expects to review the proposals and award a contract by the end of the year.

$100 million for the RiverWalk and other Trails

You likely heard the great news that the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation pledged $100 million towards Detroit trails and the RiverWalk.

$40 million of that goes to the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s West Riverfront Park project. As a result, the park was renamed to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park. An additional $10 million goes into an endowment to fund the park’s long-term sustainability.

Another $40 million is for building regional, connecting trails in Southeast Michigan, including the Iron Belle Trail. We imagine the Joe Louis Greenway could potentially receive some of this funding. The last $10 million is also an endowment to help operate and maintain the these trails.

At the announcement ceremony, we had the opportunity to personally thank Mary Wilson and share some stories on how trails and bicycling are benefitting Detroiters in the neighborhoods. It’s more profound than most realize and it’s our role to share these stories.

Bike lanes: Planning, Building, Maintaining

Detroit has approved $125 million in road bonds to revitalize commerical corridors. About $80 million of that targets major infrastructure improvements on key corridors, which includes Complete Streets and stormwater designs. The following should be under construction next year:

  • Livernois (Puritan to Eight Mile Road). The last we heard the infamous median will be removed, the sidewalks widened, and bike lanes added.
  • W. McNichols (Marygrove College to UDM). This includes both an sidepath trail segment and bike lanes. The Fitzgerald Greenway just south of McNichols will also be under construction next year.

E. Jefferson will also get this road funding. We recently attended the initial stakeholder planning meeting. A public meeting is tentatively planned for December 12th. We’ll share more information as we get it. In the meantime, the city is offering office hours at the Elmwood Park Public Library on Tuesdays from 5 to 7pm on Nov. 20th, Dec. 4th, and December 18th. if you would like to learn more.

Our Hamilton Avenue bike lane project in Highland Park continues to move forward. If all goes as planned, we are expect that project to be constructed next year.

MDOT has also started planning for a major streetscape project on Grand River Avenue from the Southfield freeway to Berg Road. At a recent community meeting, most of the resident and business concerns focused on speeding cars and pedestrian safety. Bike lanes are also being discussed and MDOT is trying to find additional funding to continue this design from the Southfield to I-94.

One would expect news to slow as the weather turns chilly, but that’s certainly not the case.

Donate today to help us continue our work making Detroit a great place for biking, walking, and trails.

Categories
Greenways

Ingredients for a great greenway framework plan proposal

A request for proposals (RFP) was released by Detroit’s Planning and Development Department last month to develop a Framework Plan for the Joe Louis Greenway. Many teams will be applying for this project. Proposals are due November 8th.

The Coalition has a long history with the greenway but we purposely chose not to be on any given team. We’re not on the proposal review team either.

Instead we’re offering these suggestions on what we would to see in the Joe Louis Greenway Framework Design proposals.

An effective, inclusive community engagement strategy.
This is a lengthy greenway that passes through many diverse neighborhoods. It’s critical that the public outreach covers the geography and diversity of the residents, businesses, and other stakeholders along the entire corridor. We’re not aware of any local project that has faced such a challenge and we’re not sure if there’s a national example. We would expect a winning team would have a substantial, successful background of similar community engagement and be able to define a viable strategy for this project. The strategy should define the expected levels of participation by various stakeholders, the methods and resources to be employed to ensure expected and engaged participation, and how processes will be measured to determine outreach success and whether improvement is needed along the way.

A design team that can handle the constrained sections.
The greenway needs a family-friendly design. That shouldn’t be too challenging for much of the trail that travels along the former railroad property. However, there are segments in Southwest Detroit and Hamtramck that primarily use constrained road right-of-way where options become limited. For a more specific example, consider the current bike lane route on W. Vernor intersects with Dix and Waterman. It’s a non-motorized nightmare. Does the design team have the experience to design these areas?

We’re also interested in seeing how the teams plan to address the culture and history along the greenway. How can the greenway honor the legacy of Joe Louis?

Lastly, since it is a green way, we’re wanting to see a team capable of creative, sustainable design strategies for green stormwater infrastructure and other landscaping – and how to maintain them. The Joe Louis Greenway is a great opportunity to improve the lives of Detroiters while also improving the natural environment.

Categories
Complete Streets Greenways Newsletter

News from the Trail – October 2018

Joe Louis Greenway Framework Planning

Great news! The Detroit Economic Growth Association has released a Request for Proposals for the Joe Louis Greenway (JLG) Framework Plan. Proposals are due in November with public engagement starting in 2019.

From the RFP: 

“The JLG is a 31.5 mile (estimated) family friendly, multi-use path of interwoven vehicle, transit, pedestrian and bicycle facilities. The Greenway will connect to local and regional transportation systems, and link 186 miles of existing bike lanes and bike routes to complete a total of 243 miles of non-motorized routes across greater Detroit. This project will improve safety, economic competitiveness and quality of life, while leveraging millions of dollars in recent private and municipal investment. The Framework Plan will be comprised of the best pedestrian and bicycle design practices developed from extensive community engagement. Under the guidance of the Planning and Development Department, the chosen firm will review existing conditions, determine connections and access points, incorporate effective storm water management techniques and design a signature greenway connected to local arts culture and history.”

Eastside Bike Network

Separated (AKA protected) bike lanes were recently installed on E. Jefferson, Conner Avenue, and E. Warren. These make up the backbone for what the city is calling the Eastside Bike Network. These projects have made the road more welcoming to bicyclists and scooter users. We installed our mobile bike counters on E. Jefferson and saw daily averages of 152 bicyclists at Algonquin and 373 at Beaufait. The city recently released this brief video that explains the network. The city’s web site also has educational information on how to use them and drive around them safely.

Open Streets This Sunday

Open Streets Detroit returns to Michigan and W. Vernor Avenues this Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. We’ll be there near Roosevelt Park and the old train station. Joining us will be the University of Detroit Mercy Capstone Team whose project focuses on the proposed Rouge River Greenway.

Don’t have a bike? No worries. MoGo bikes are free during the event.

Upcoming Events

  • Free Bikes 4 Kids This new program is looking for kid bike donations as well as volunteers. You can donate your bike(s) at any one of 25 participating Henry Ford Health System/HAP locations from 9am to 2pm on Saturday, October 13th. Volunteers can sign up on their web site. This is a great opportunity to get more Detroit kids on bikes.
  • Slow Roll Mondays The rain has led to a number of cancellations so far this year, but this Monday’s forecast looks good. The ride leaves from Eastern Market at 6:30pm. Also, the city made this video about the Slow Roll that happened earlier this year in Council Member Benson’s District 3.
  • SW Ontario Bike Summit We’re looking forward to being the keynote speaker for the Southwest Ontario Bike Summit on October 28th. We’ve worked closely with the event host and our counterparts across the river, Bike Window Essex. We worked together in helping get bike and pedestrian access on the new Gordie Howe International Bridge, which has officially broken ground and will be open in late 2024 — and will connect with the Joe Louis Greenway.
Categories
Complete Streets Greenways Newsletter

News from the Trail – August 2018

Open Streets Rouge Park is tomorrow

The original Open Streets Rouge Park event was postponed due to rain and is now happening tomorrow, Saturday August 11th from 1pm to 5pm. We’ll be located along the middle-west portion of the loop along with our University of Detroit Mercy MCD Capstone partner team. This team is working on community engagement and trail connections for the proposed Rouge River Greenway. They are focusing on Eliza Howell Park and surround neighborhoods. Stop by to learn more.

The city of Detroit Planning and Development Department will also located with us and can answer questions about their work.

This event doesn’t replace the original Open Streets Detroit: Southwest which returns for its third year on Sunday, October 7th from noon to 5pm.

Joe Louis Greenway update

The big news? The City of Detroit has now officially acquired the abandoned Conrail property for the Joe Louis Greenway. This roughly 8-mile section was one of the main gaps in the 26-mile trail loop and something the Coalition has been working on for many years. We initiated converstations with the railroad, did the early due diligence work, and wrote the two main grants that covered the $4.5 million acquisition cost. Naturally, we’re thrilled with this news.

This acquisition releases the $2 million Ralph C. Wilson Foundation funding for Framework Planning (with the community) and the creation of construction documents. Construction funding is not yet in hand, but the city did re-apply for a federal BUILD (formerly called TIGER) grant. We helped the city get letters of support for this grant, including a joint letter representing 32 bike clubs in Detroit.

Amtrak gets Roll-on bicycle service

Nine years ago, we initiated advocacy efforts along with the Active Transportation Alliance (in Chicago) to get roll on bicycle access for Amtrak in Michigan. It took a while but the Wolverine line that runs between Pontiac, Detroit, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo and Chicago now offers that service. Space is limited so reservations are required. Amtrak will be getting new passenger cars in the near future with more bike carrying capacity.

Photo credit: MDOT Photo Services 2018

East Jefferson protected bike lanes

The new protected bike lanes on E. Jefferson are complete from Rivard to Lakewood. The older lanes from Lakewood to Alter are currently being improved based on community feedback.  It appears these are the longest protected bike lanes of their type in the U.S.

It had been suggested that no one was using the bike lanes, so we used our mobile bike counters to measure the use. Near Conner Avenue, a daily average of 154 bicyclists were counted. Further west near Beaufait, the daily average was 373 bicyclists. These counts do not include those still riding on the sidewalk. They were also taken shortly after the construction was completed.

The city has now installed protected bike lanes on Conner Avenue from E. Jefferson to Warren. Next they will add them on Warren heading east.

We are working with some Detroit clubs to host a group ride on them in September. We’ll let you know when we get a date.

But wait, there’s more news…

  • We released our report on how Detroit’s improved streetlighting appears to have drastically reduced pedestrian fatalities, saving more than a dozen lives annually.
  • The Detroit Sustainability Community Series is this month. There are four workshops planned where one can help shape the city’s Sustainability Action Agenda.
  • Wayne State University is hiring  new Transportation Ambassador (TA) for the 2018-19 school year. The TA position is designed to help familiarize students and employees with local mobility options.
  • The Friends of Chandler Park are having a Meet and Greet on August 16th from 6pm to 8pm at 4401 Conner. Attendees can learn about what’s happening at the park and how to get involved. It also just got a whole lot easier to ride you bike to this event!
Categories
Greenways Newsletter Safety & Education

News from the Trail – July 2018

Joe Louis Greenway Fundraiser Ride

Photo by Daniel Mears, The Detroit NewsThanks to everyone who participated and supported our very successful inaugural fundraiser bike ride for the Joe Louis Greenway. We had a great turnout to match the perfect weather. Media coverage before the ride, including this fun Fox 2 Detroit video, helped raise awareness of the future greenway.

Extra thanks to the Oloman Cafe, Wheelhouse Detroit, the Bikes & Murd3r club, and other volunteers — but especially Paul Vial.

Prior to the event, the city of Hamtramck received a $410K SEMCOG grant to construct bike lanes along Joseph Campau — a key part of the Joe Louis Greenway. We also partnered with the city of Highland Park on their $336K grant to build bike lanes on Hamilton Avenue which will help connect with the greenway.

Detroit Public Lighting Improvements Reducing Pedestrian Fatalities

In 2015, Detroit had the highest pedestrian fatality rate among major US cities. While still much too high, the fatality rate has decreased during the past couple years while the rest of Michigan has increased. There were 19 fewer pedestrian fatalities in 2017 compared with 2015. Based on our analysis, this is due to the major improvements in Detroit’s public street lighting.

This shows how investments in infrastructure can have dramatic affects on the health and safety of Detroiters. We expect this trend to continue as additional Complete Streets treatments, such as road diets, bike lanes and other pedestrian infrastructure improvements reduce motor vehicle speeding and pedestrian exposure. Read more at DetroitGreenways.org

Open Streets at Rouge Park

Rouge Park will host its first Open Streets event this Saturday from 1pm to 5pm. This event wills turn three miles of road in Detroit’s Rouge Park into a safe, open and car-free zone for local families and community members to run, bike, skate, shop and play together along Spinoza, Outer, and Rouge Park Drives. We’ll be there along with the University of Detroit Mercy Capstone project team focusing on the planned Rouge River Greenway. More information is available in this Event Flyer and Event Map.

Amazon Smile donates to Detroit Greenways Coalition

When shopping through Amazon Smile program, a percentage of your purchase goes towards the Coalition. It’s an easy way to give and it doesn’t cost you anything extra.