The Southern Lakes Parks and Recreation (SLPR) Commission was recently awarded a funding commitment from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust in the amount of $300,000 for the Silver Lake Road Connector Trail project. This non-motorized trail will connect the communities of Linden, Argentine Township, Fenton and Fenton Township in Genesee County.
NFE assisted with the funding as well as another $1.5 million acquired from county and state Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funds for this non-motorized trail project. NFE has also provided the following services: marketing graphics for community meetings, trail blazing, preliminary cost estimates, and preliminary trail design including the identification of any site constraints, ADA compliance issues and environmental concerns.
This project was conceived as part of a robust parks and recreation planning process done on multiple levels involving eight different municipal organizations. All of the planning processes were opened to the public for comments and consisted of numerous meetings, including public input sessions, public workshops and public hearings. During one of the meetings, the LAFF Area Trails Coalition, a non-profit organization, presented to the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission staff over 500 letters of support from local residents. As a result of all these endeavors, the Silver Lake Road Connector segment received a Tier-1 priority ranking. Tier 1 segments are defined in the Regional Plan as short-term trails that hold strong public support and are ranked highest priority for development.
The Silver Lake Road Connect Trail will connect existing non-motorized facilities at the northwest corner of Arbor Drive and Silver Lake Road within the City of Fenton with existing non-motorized facilities at the northwest corner of East Broad Street and Silver Lake Road within the City of Linden. The trail will be constructed along the south side of Silver Lake Road through the City of Linden, City of Fenton and Fenton Township, and will connect Triangle Park in the City of Linden with Silver Lake Park in the City of Fenton. A pedestrian crossing just east of Jennings Road will be provided linking the north and south side of Silver Lake Road, utilizing a pedestrian activated rapid-flashing beacon-type advance warning system and safe harbor island.
The 2.0 mile long project will consist of a ten-foot-wide bituminous paved trail with a minimum of two feet of clearance on either side. The trail will border the north shore line of Silver Lake where modifications will be made to the lake edge to provide erosion control, bank stabilization and accommodate subgrade fill for trail construction. In areas where the trail will encounter wetlands, it is proposed that 14-foot-wide reinforced boardwalks will be installed with all improvements meeting AASHTO and ADA requirements.
The Silver Lake Road Regional Trail Connector will positively impact thousands of users annually by providing safe transit to all four communities where there is currently a major transportation deficiency for direct non-motorized transportation. The trail will exceed requirements for ADA compliance and be universally accessible to all visitors.
NFE will continue to work with SLPR and the municipal communities to prepare final design plans and construction documents, along with full bidding and construction services. Once completed, this trail segment will provide safe non-motorized connection to many schools and parks as well as recreational, cultural, commercial and residential facilities and areas that these communities offer.
NFE is proud to assist this consortium of municipal organizations with this endeavor. For more information on this project or to engage us on your future non-motorized trail project, please contact Jeff Huhta at 248-332-7931 or jhuhta@nfe-engr.com.