Project Summary
The Traverse Area Recreation Trail, lovingly called the TART, along West Bay is an icon of our region. Highlighting the incredible shoreline and drawing visitors from around the world, this two-mile section of trail serves as the confluence of our regional trail network. Over one million annual users turn to this section of trail for transportation and recreational use.
MDOT reconstructed the Grandview Parkway between Garfield Avenue and Division Street in 2024. The roadway project provided a generational opportunity to strengthen both motorized and nonmotorized connections throughout this popular corridor. The City of Traverse City, Downtown Development Authority and TART Trails worked closely with MDOT to determine the scope of nonmotorized elements that were implemented alongside the reconstruction of Grandview Parkway. Now, project partners are looking to complete additional phases as funding allows.
Objectives
- Expand existing trail width dedicated to bi-directional bicycle and pedestrian use
- Implement safer road crossings and trail intersections
- Elevate and showcase the rich artistic and cultural traditions of our region
- Envision future trail connections for a more walkable, bikeable Traverse City
Status
TART Bayfront East Phase I | COMPLETE
The extension of trail east provides new community connections to Delamar, Sunset Park, NMC Great Lakes Campus/Hagerty Center, and soon-to-be constructed Senior Center all to the regional trail network and downtown. An additional segment includes new trail on the south side of the Parkway connecting from Division to Hall Street.
TART Bayfront East Phase II | Design and Engineering
In 2025, project partners have identified a priority area from the Senior Center to Bryant Park to continue constructing safe and comfortable nonmotorized infrastructure.
- Working with MDOT and City to secure easements and construct trail from the Senior Center to Peninsula Dr (Blue Goat)
- Working with the City and MDOT to engineer trail on Peninsula Dr to Eastern Ave
- To plan/develop safe comfortable trail facilities for the best user experience
October 2024: Construction is substantially complete along all three segments of Phase I of the TART Bayfront Improvement & Extension project! We are looking forward to celebrating with a community ribbon cutting on November 21 starting at 4:30PM in Clinch Park. Join us as we open this segment together.
September 2024: The first section, from Sunset Park to the Senior Center, was completed in June, adding a fantastic new trail segment for everyone to enjoy. Work continues on the next stretch between Division and Hall St. The Oak St to Division portion is finished, but progress toward Hall St is temporarily delayed due to coordination with a water main and Grandview Parkway. Meanwhile, the upcoming segment between Clinch Park and Murchie Bridge is slated for construction in September—though work has already started ahead of schedule!
July 2024: We’re thrilled to share that Team Elmer’s recently completed the first segment of the TART Bayfront Improvement and Extension project, connecting Sunset Park and the Senior Center. Later this summer, trees, wayfinding signs, bike racks, and waste receptacles will be added. Work will soon begin on the next segment, extending the trail from Division Street to Hall Street. The final segment, from Clinch Park to the approach to Murchie Bridge, is scheduled to start in mid-September. Stay up to date here.
May 23, 2024: Team Elmer’s has started preparations for the first segment of the TART Bayfront Improvement and Extension project. Construction on the new trail section between Sunset Park and the Senior Center began last week and is expected to continue through the end of June. Following the Cherry Festival, work on the next segment, extending the trail from Division Street to Hall Street, will commence. The final segment between Clinch Park and the approach to Murchie Bridge, is slated to begin in mid-September. We are also pleased to share that the Murchie Bridge underpass has reopened, with no trail closures or detours along the TART Bayfront planned for this summer.
May 6, 2024: The City Commission voted to accept Elmer’s bid on the TART Bayfront and Extension project. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who spoke up and showed up in support of this important community project. Three key segments are in the works, including an enhanced trail stretching from Sunset Park to the Senior Center, reconstruction of the TART from Clinch Park to Murchie Bridge, and new trail construction along the south side of Grandview Parkway from Division to Hall Street. Integration with Elmer’s ongoing reconstruction of East Front Street and Grandview Parkway promises to boost efficiency and accelerate the project timeline, bringing us closer to enjoying the benefits of these enhancements.
April 16, 2024: At the April 15 Traverse City Commission meeting, the TART Bayfront project failed to secure the necessary votes with two commissioners opting not to approve the bid. It is anticipated that the project will be brought back to the city commission in May. The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated. Failure to approve the bid with Elmer’s carries the significant risk of losing the cost-effective advantage of having Team Elmer’s already on-site and delaying the entire project.
While we are disappointed in the outcome of last night’s vote, our determination remains unwavering. Together, we will continue to advocate for the connections our community wants and deserves. With your support, we will do all we can to ensure the successful realization of the TART Bayfront Improvement & Expansion.
March 2024: Project partners reached an exciting and important milestone in the effort to improve and expand the TART Bayfront. Traverse City Commissioners voted unanimously to waive the competitive bidding process and instead directly enter into negotiations with Team Elmer’s to do the trail work at their March 18 meeting.
Trail segments included in this summer’s construction plan:
A. Sunset Park <-> Senior Center
B. Clinch Park <-> Murchie Bridge
C. Division <-> Hall Street
With Team Elmer’s already active in the project zone, City staff made this recommendation to save money on mobilization costs, eliminate scheduling conflicts, and ultimately speed up the project timeline. An additional benefit is that this approach will limit trail closures since trail work and road work can now happen simultaneously. Next steps include contract negotiations between the City and Team Elmer’s which will be brought back to the City Commission in April for final approval.
August 2023 Update
At their August 21, 2023 meeting, the City Commission voted unanimously to support final designs for the project.
At their June 19, 2023 meeting, the City Commission approved providing a letter of support for TART Trails to submit a grant application seeking $500,000 in funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporations RAP 2.0 Program for extension of the TART Bayfront Trail east from the Murchie Bridge through the Senior Center. The City Commission also authorized the allocation of $421,449 from the fund balance of the General Fund, contingent upon successfully being awarded the above-mentioned grant.
After a variety of input sessions in connection with the TART Improvement & Extension Project, the City received 60% of the designs. Final design are anticipated in August 2023, including final cost estimates.
May 2023 Engagement Sessions
A closer look at the proposed design for the Peninsula Drive portion of the TART Improvement & Extension Project will be presented. The third round of public engagement is planned specifically for the Peninsula Drive segment of trail between the intersection of Peninsula Drive at E. Front Street and Eastern Ave.
At the session, the project team and engineers will reflect on the input that was provided at the February and March 2023 engagement sessions, share the proposed design plan and objectives for the Peninsula Drive segment, and discuss next steps and anticipated timelines.
May 2023 Engagement Session – Peninsula Drive
Presentation at public input meeting May 30th
March 2023 Engagement Sessions
Recording of Virtual Session on March 15th
Presentation Slides with Design Concepts
February 2023 Engagement Sessions
Recording of Virtual Session on February 15th
Presentation Slides with Design Concepts
In November 2022, the Traverse City Commission hired Progressive AE for design engineering services between Garfield and Eastern Avenue all the way to Division St. Survey work and engineering is underway. Public engagement and input opportunities will be part of the effort in the coming year.
Progressive AE Conceptual Plan (2021)
The conceptual plan was presented to both the City of Traverse City and DDA boards for information and feedback.