June 10 Workday Information

Summer Cleanup on the I-275 Metro Trail

With summer solstice just around the corner, pitch to spruce up the trail.

PLYMOUTH, Mich — June 7, 2013 — Join the Friends of the I-275 Metro Trail for our next trail workday on Monday, June 10th from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.  This time we’ll be working on the Canton Township section of the trail just north of Van Born Rd.  Since spring is in full bloom, we’ll be working primarily on cutting back the vegetation, so bring hand clippers, loppers, shovels, brooms, rakes and saws – and a pair of sturdy work gloves.  We will be meeting at VanBorn Rd just east of the trail.

MDOT Public Hearing on Ford Rd/I-275 Summary

A few Friends attended the MDOT information meeting on Ford Rd and I-275 on Thursday, May 30, at the Summit in Canton Township.  MDOT’s proposal going forward with is to turn Ford Rd into a boulevard.  The majority of the proposed road changes do not affect the I-275 trail.  The vast majority of the Ford Rd improvements starts on the west side of I-275 and continue west.  There is one small exception that does affect the trail.

MDOT is making crossing the entrance and exit ramps on both north and south sides of Ford Rd more non-motorized friendly.  If you have seen what MDOT built at US-23 and Washtenaw Rd, MDOT proposes implementing the same design at I-275 and Ford Rd.  The paths being created on each side of Ford Rd will tie into the Metro Trail.  That is where the trail improvements end.  The .pdf file on the proposal can be found here… http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/I-275_and_M-153_PIM_Alternative_3_Boulevard_422540_7.pdf  (It is a large file and may take a while to load.)

Not part of this proposal is a new and safer crossing at the trail itself to get across Ford Rd just east of I-275.  Those of us who attended the meeting left comments that we would like to see that crossing improved.  If you would also like to voice your concerns or comments, you can send an e-mail to MDOT-ford275@michigan.gov

Email From MDOT on I-275/Ford Rd Public Hearing

Received this email from MDOT, and this could have impact on the trail and/or access to the trail…

This e-mail is sent to inform you of the continuing I-275 at M-153 (Ford Road) Area Traffic and Environmental Study and Evaluation Project. The study area for the subject project is bordered by Sheldon Road, Warren Road, Lotz Road, and Cherry Hill Road.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) invites you to attend the final public meeting on Thursday, May 30, 2013 from 5 – 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at Summit on the Park in Canton, Michigan. The address is 46000 Summit Parkway, Canton, MI 48188.

MDOT plans to recap the first three public meetings and unveil the Preferred Alternative for the project.

The meeting will be an open house format. There will be no formal presentation but numerous stations for you to get information on the project and to talk with project team members. We encourage you to give us feedback and voice your concerns. Your input and participation with MDOT will help to identify the goals and solutions which is a critical element of the project process.

If available, please plan to attend this important meeting. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the MDOT Taylor Transportation Service Center at 313-375-2400.

April 16 & 18 Workdays

Hopefully the worse of the rains have past, so we will be out working on the trail again next week.  These workdays will focus on cleaning up the trash. Bring gloves. Brooms or leaf rakes will help with the organic litter. We will start at 5:30 and work until about 7.
Apr 16: We will be meeting at 5 Mi Rd. Park at the far east end of the Oasis parking lot.
Apr 18: We will be meeting at the back end of Wendy’s parking lot at Michigan Ave and Lotz Rd.  We will be working north from Michigan Ave.
Hope to see you on the trail.  POSTPONED UNTIL APR 19 AT 1 PM.  MEET SAME PLACE.

April 9 & 11 Workdays

These workdays will focus on cleaning up the trash. Bring gloves. Brooms or leaf rakes will help with the organic litter. We will start at 5:30 and work until about 7.
Apr 9: We will be meeting at the Cherry Hill rest stop and will be working north towards Ford Rd.
Apr 11: We will be meeting at the Mobil station on the corner of Ecorse and Haggerty Rd.  BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, WE HAVE CANCELLED THIS CLEAN-UP.
Hope to see you on the trail.