Shared Use Bridge on Paint Creek Trail Among Projects Receiving SEMCOG TAP Grants
(SEMCOG, Aug. 19, 2023)
SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, has awarded $2,073,728 in Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding for three projects for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. SEMCOG will consider additional projects for FY 2025-2027 this fall.
“Creating a transportation system that provides access for everyone begins with safety,” said Amy O’Leary, Executive Director of SEMCOG. “Each of these projects will make a significant difference in the ability of all people, especially those who walk or bike, to reach their destinations with greater comfort and safety,” noted O’Leary.
Funding addresses multiple transportation priorities in Southeast Michigan
TAP projects are transportation-related improvements to roadways, local streets, and corridors. Most often, they address mobility options through new or enhanced bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. This includes things such as pathways, bike lanes, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossings. These projects improve the existing transportation system, while providing safe new options to help people connect to transit, regional trails, and core service destinations. TAP can also fund green infrastructure projects that mitigate environmental concerns from the road network.
The TAP projects in this announcement support the policies and recommendations included in SEMCOG’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan for Southeast Michigan and newly-adopted Southeast Michigan Traffic Safety Plan. These projects also enable each community to implement local solutions, meeting the needs of both residents and visitors.
FY 2025 TAP projects
Oakland County
Community: City of Rochester
- Project description: Replacement of Shared-use Bridge along the Paint Creek Trail
- Award: $721,210
Wayne County
Community: City of Inkster
- Project description: Sidewalk and Crosswalk Modernization within the neighborhood bounded by Cherry Hill Rd, Middle Belt Rd, Avondale Ave and Harrison Rd.
- Award: $807,247
Community: Plymouth Township
- Project description: Sidewalk Gap-filling project on Ann Arbor Road.
- Award: $545,271
Project relevance
All three projects address the transportation safety and accessibility needs of people walking and biking. Two of these projects are noteworthy as they meet SEMCOG’s target of sidewalk and shared-use path modernization—a target that helps the region address its aging infrastructure, while increasing transportation equity. The projects in Rochester and Inkster replace shared-use paths and sidewalks that have met the end of their natural life, contributing to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mobility hazards. They also increase mobility to core services and town center locations, supporting economic development. In Plymouth Township, a new sidewalk will fill a gap in the existing network, providing a much-needed safe and accessible walkway under the CSX Railroad.
Notice of Additional Funding for FY2024, FY2025, and 2026
SEMCOG’s Regional Review Committee is currently considering additional projects for future fiscal years. Interested applicants should reach out to SEMCOG staff to discuss potential projects and ensure they meet eligibility and competitiveness criteria. Applicants should utilize SEMCOG’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Maps and the Green Infrastructure webpage to demonstrate how their project meets SEMCOG’s competitiveness criteria. SEMCOG has a shared rolling application deadline with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Applications that are submitted by one of those deadlines can expect a funding decision approximately five months later. The next application deadlines are October 11, 2023 and February 21, 2024.
Additional information is available on SEMCOG’s TAP website.
