The connector from the I-275 Metro Trail to the Canton Lower Rouge River Trail is now closed and will remain closed to November. They are doing extensive bridge work on the expressway over this trail so do not use the trail. Do not cross the barriers. They are there for a good reason.
This does not affect the Metro Trail itself. You are still able to go north and south on the trail.
We will continue to update here as we are updated on the construction impacts to the trail.
There are two spots along I-275 that will have the direct impact on trail users during this summer’s construction.
The first spot is north of Michigan Ave and impacts those trail users who use the connector trail to Canton’s Lower Rouge River Trail. The connector trail will close on May 7 and remain closed through November. They are doing major bridge work on I-275 which causes an unsafe situation below the expressway. Therefore, no one can use the connector trail while construction is going on. The good news is that this closure will not affect the I-275 Metro Trail directly. Trail users will still be able to use the I-275 trail itself, going north and south.
The second spot that has direct, and possibly long-term, impact on trail users is at Warren Rd. The trail at Warren Rd will be narrowed, but useable, until June. During this time, use this section of the trail with extreme caution. Treat it as a one lane bridge. There will be warning signs and fencing in the area. In June the trail will close from Koppernick Rd to Ford Rd. Warren Rd is going through extensive work, including work on the back wall, that impacts the trail. At this point, it is unknown how long the trail will need to remain closed. It could be from 30 days to 3 months. Once the extent of work required for the back wall is known, we will be given a more accurate time period for the closure. This work is major, so it is imperative that trail users respect the barriers and the workers. Do not use the trail under Warren Rd.
Getting around the Warren Rd closure is tricky, and since the construction is long term a detour route is needed. Koppernick Rd east of the trail turns to dirt so it might be unfriendly for road bikes. Here is one option to get around the construction. Heading south on the trail, you can either take Ann Arbor Rd or Koppernick Rd to Hix Rd. Head east (left) on either of these roads to get to Hix. Turn right (south) on Hix and take to Warren Rd. At Warren Rd, head west (right) to Lotz Rd. Turn south (left) on Lotz to Ford Rd where you can rejoin the trail. Heading north on the trail, take Lotz Rd north from Ford Rd and at the Lotz Rd/Warren Rd “T”, turn right (east). At Hix Rd, turn left (north) and head to either Koppernick Rd or Ann Arbor Rd. At either of these roads, turn left (west) and head back to the trail. Since Ann Arbor Rd is currently the main overpass crossing I-275, use extreme caution using this road since traffic volume is high. There are sidewalks available on Ann Arbor Rd.
Detour Update Apr 27:
It is possible to use subdivisions part of the way. When heading south, use the street Tavistock, which is right next to the Shell gas station on Ann Arbor Rd. Take Tavistock to Joy Rd. At Joy, you can either ride to Hix (and turn right) or make an almost immediate right turn onto Eckles Rd. From there you will turn right at the next two stop signs. This will get you to Koppernick (paved section) where you will go left to get to Hix. Right on Hix to Warren.
Heading north, turn left from Hix to Koppernick. Take Koppernick to the last street on the right before Koppernick turns to dirt. Turn left at the next two stop signs, which will put you on Eckles Rd. Take Eckles to Joy. Turn right on Tavistock and take that to Ann Arbor Rd.
Here is the current status of the work on I-275. So far, these project do not directly affect the trail. Use caution and if there are barriers along the trail, do not go around them. They are for your safety.
Starting Monday, April 16, crews will close the westbound Michigan Avenue ramp to northbound I-275 for two weeks with a detour posted. In addition, crews also will close the shoulder on the southbound I-275 exit ramp to Michigan Avenue.
Overpass work begins Tuesday with the eastbound Plymouth Road overpass above I-275 closed for two months. Also, lane restrictions will be in place for several weeks on Six Mile Road over I-275. There will be intermittent ramp closures at the I-275/6 Mile Road interchange on Tuesday.
With the unusually warm temperatures we have had, the trail is being well used by all. We do want to remind everyone to report any trail conditions needing attention to the Friends of I-275 Metro Trail.
The Friends group has begun its spring clean-ups on the trail. We invite every trail user to come out and help. When known enough in advance, the workdays are announced on this site giving the date, time and location of the clean-up. Check the calendar on right side. If you would like to receive an email with the same information, send your email address to I275MetroTrail@yahoo.com. Your email will be added to our distribution list for trail volunteers. We respect your privacy and will use your email only for trail-related items.
The Friends of I-275 Metro Trail, along with Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance and MDOT, had an extremely productive meeting this month. Our three organizations are working hard to make the trail an enjoyable experience for all. As you enjoy the trail you may see some of the fruits of our labor. There is liquid tar in trail cracks north of Michigan Ave. The fencing has been repaired at the northbound Ford Rd entrance ramp and along M-14. Downed trees are removed. MDOT has an aggressive plan to kill the phragmites (just remember it will not happen overnight) and vines.
MDOT is finishing the trail south of Michigan Ave. Fencing and signage still need to be installed. Landscaping also needs to be completed. MDOT will continue to send updates to the Friends group and we will pass it along to all. The long-term goal is to have it open this spring. Even though this wonderful weather makes us all think it has been spring for a few weeks already, it has only just arrived. The goal of opening it during the spring is still there. It might not be next week, but it will hopefully be before June. Once it is open, it will be open only as far south as Hannan Rd under I-94. The trail south of that point has not been refurbished.
The Friends group is in contact with MDOT to set up a communication system to update and alert the trail users of any impact to the trail from the I-275 bridge construction that begins this month. The construction could potentially affect the trail at Ecorse, Van Born, the Canton Lower Rouge connector north of Michigan Ave, Palmer, Cherry Hill, and Joy Roads. All other I-275 construction, at this time, looks like it will be to the east or west of the trail. If the trail is affected by any bridge construction, that section of the trail will be closed to traffic. Please respect any and all barriers – DO NOT CROSS. It is for your own safety. We all know what bridge work entails from our many experiences trying to get through them on the highways.
The Friends of I-275 Metro Trail welcome any questions or comments you may have.