There are 44 miles already completed, with 26 left to go on the 70-mile
loop of trails Macomb County officials plan finish over the next few years.
The county is expecting to build new pathways on two of
its major trails – the Macomb Orchard Trail and the Metro Parkway Trail.
Construction is set to begin in Utica and Harrison Township this
summer. Next summer, Mt. Clemens, Shelby/Utica, and New Baltimore will
see improvements.
John Crumm, program manager of Planning and Environmental Services for
Macomb County, said a seven-mile
section in the middle of the trail will have a new layer of stone, which
is currently too soft for bikes. "We're going to fix that this summer,
so it's solid for them to ride on," he says.
Also coming are additional trails in Harrison Township, which will
connect the neighborhoods to the Metro Parkway Trail, and eventually to Selfridge Air Force Base, which will have 2.5 miles, some along the Lake St.
Clair shoreline. The Air National Guard and Air Force have recently
granted tentative approval for a bike path, although particulars still
have to be worked out regarding security.
Crumm says the many reasons behind the $30 million pathway project --
including a vehicle for fitness, quality of life for existing residents,
and, hopefully, a draw for future residents -- balance out the amount of
work needed for applying for grants. He'd love to see bed and
breakfasts, restaurants, and even bicycle supply stores along the route.
"It's an economic engine for our local municipalities," he says.
Source: John Crumm, program manager of planning and environmental
services for Macomb County
Writer: Kristin Lukowski
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