By Sterling McGinn
The McMillan Township Board has signed a contract to allow the EUP Regional Planning and Development Commission to work on a $6,000-$8,000 recreational plan for a non-motorized trail north of Newberry.
The McMillan Township Board voted to sign the contract at their November 24 meeting. The township was one of the first to assist in the proposed development plan when they paid for a wetlands delineation study during the project’s early stages.
Under this new contract, the Tahquamenon Trail team, consisting of local residents and entities, will work with Regional Planning and two staff members during the plan development.
Luce County, along with six other similar sites statewide, were invited to join a pilot project coordinated through the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), the Walkability Action Institute and Toole Design.
The Tahquamenon Trail plan is a two-phase project. Phase one includes a Safe Routes to School grant, which will improve sidewalks within the village, add ADA ramps, and install high-visibility crosswalks. The estimated cost is $900,000.
Phase two is the proposed paved bike path leading from the TORC park just north of village limits to Four Mile Corner. This paved path would travel along the east side of M-123 and end at Duffy’s Motel. Because of an extra wide state right-of-way, the path will be laid between the ditch and the power line. The bridge at the Tahquamenon River already wide enough to accommodate the added path.
“It would probably be re-striped and have some sort of barrier for the trail,” said Tahquamenon Trail team member Roxanna Transit.
The trail team hopes to install a pedestrian friendly railroad crossing near the train depot.
“If you want to go to the TORC park, you have to go in the road, or parents have to put bikes in the car and drive them there,” said Transit. “The head of TAP was horrified that there was not a separate crossing that it was just the road.”
They have been working with WATCO, the owner of the railroad to develop a separate crossing.
Having a recreation plan makes it possible to apply for funding for the trail project from the DNR trust fund, which provides funding for natural resource protection and outdoor recreation.
“A rec plan is required if the township ever wants to apply for DNR trust fund money,” explained Transit. “At some point, the DNR trust fund may be an option if there is anything that is not in the TAP grant.”
The team will apply for a TAP grant to fund the construction of the bike path.
The approved 5-year recreation plan will provide the project with up to $8,000 and two staffers to work on the recreation plan.
“I think it is a wonderful opportunity, and it was very generous for them [Regional Planning] to offer and help out the area.” Transit said.
The members of the McMillan Township Board were all in favor of the proposed trail project and thanked Transit and her team for their efforts.
