September 7, 2016: Phase 1 stakeholders gathered at the historic Lyndon Township Hall for a walking review of the Phase 1 design engineering. L to R: Chuck Dennison (MDNR), Eric Stalhandske (HWPI), Matt MacDonell (WCRC), Amanda Ballard (Sun Times News), Patrick Judd (Stantec Engineering), Bart Hammer (HWPI), Nicole VanBloem (MDNR)
On May 16, 2016, HWPI secured a conditional commitment from the Michigan Department of Transportation for ~$1.8M to build Phase 1 of The Loop, a 4.7 mile trail segment starting from M-52 and Werkner Road and going north to North Territorial Road. We are working to raise the private matching funds to turn this conditional commitment into a grant, so that construction can begin in the spring of 2017.
In anticipation of successful private matching fund raising, HWPI has contracted with Stantec Engineering to do the design engineering for Phase 1 in the fall of 2016. Detailed engineering design views, shown in segments from Werkner Road to North Territorial Road along the M-52 corridor, can be seen on the Trail Projects page.
On September 7, 2016, a small group of stakeholders participated in a design engineering walk through of Phase 1, led by Stantec Engineering’s Senior Landscape Architect, Patrick Judd. The primary goal of the walk through was to review the revised trail alignment, with emphasis on design features that addressed indigenous and invasive flora, challenging topographical features, ADA compliance requirements, and the location and configuration of a grade-level crossing of M-52.
Click on any of the walk through photos below for captions, and to view them full size in a slideshow carousel. Detailed engineering design views of the current Phase 1 trail alignment can be seen on the Trail Projects page.
Phase 1 stakeholders gathered at the historic Lyndon Twp Hall. L to R: Chuck Dennison (MDNR), Eric Stalhandske (HWPI), Matt MacDonell (WCRC), Amanda Ballard (Sun Times News), Patrick Judd (Stantec Engineering), Bart Hammer (HWPI), Nicole VanBloem (MDNR)
The Phase 1 trail alignment will take advantage of existing pathways in places. This old pathway is behind the Lyndon Twp Hall.
Eric Stalhandske is the HWPI Phase 1 Project Leader.
Deadwood and wildflowers along the Phase 1 trail alignment.
Indigenous and invasive flora, challenging topographical features, ADA compliance requirements, and a grade-level crossing are all considered in the design engineering phase of the Phase 1 trail alignment.
The paved Phase 1 trail will feature access to the newly opened DTE Energy Foundation mountain biking loops in the Waterloo Recreation Area.
Patrick Judd, Senior Landscape Architect with Stantec Engineering, is completing the design engineering for Phase 1, and coordinating with all of the necessary state and local regulatory agencies.
Many sections of the current Phase 1 trail alignment, as indicated by pink flags such as the one shown above, are currently almost impassable.
Bart Hammer (HWPI), Nicole VanBloem (MDNR), Patrick Judd (Stantec, obscured), and Amanda Ballard (Sun Times News), find their current location on the Phase 1 design engineering trail alignment map.
Pathway user and motorist safety is the key consideration in the location and design of the M-52 grade-level crossing.
The Phase 1 trail alignment will continue in the M-52 corridor, across from Green Lake, shown.
The Phase 1 trail alignment will utilize a portion of what would have been the entrance to the sand and gravel pit that was opposed by the concerned community members of the successful Deny the Mine effort.
Stakeholders inspect the challenging topography in the vicinity of the future M-52 grade-level crossing.
Eric Stalhandske (HWPI) views the clear sight distances in the vicinity of the future M-52 grade-level crossing.
The newly completed roundabout at M-52 and Werkner Road, just north of Chelsea, marks the southern end of the ~4.7 mile Phase 1 trail alignment.
The small concrete pad on the north end of the crosswalk on the west side of new M-52 roundabout could be considered the first few feet of Phase 1 of The Loop trail system!
