Status
Design and Engineering Phase
The TART Bayfront Improvement & Extension Project public input phase is underway. Project partners launched the first of multiple public input opportunities to help inform design and trail user experience. This is your chance to voice support for the critical community connections helping us get around by foot or on bike between the base of Old Mission, downtown Traverse City, and the beaches along Grand Traverse Bay.
City of Traverse City Project Page
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 30, 2023
NMC Innovation Lab
1701 East Front Street
6 – 7:30 pm.
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
Project Summary
The planned MDOT reconstruction of Grandview Parkway between Garfield Avenue and Division Street provides opportunities for a better non-motorized network and community connections. What could take this project from good to great is improved trails, safer crossings and a more connected non-motorized network.
The City of Traverse City, the Downtown Development Authority and TART Trails engaged the services of Progressive AE to identify opportunities and create a conceptual plan for improved non-motorized access concurrent with MDOT’s project scope between West End Beach Parking lot and the intersection of Garfield and Grandview/Front. Progressive AE’s scope of work included considering improvements along the existing trail along the waterfront from the West End Beach parking lot to the trail’s connection to Murchie Bridge; as well as exploring extended facilities to provide comfortable and safe non-motorized connectivity east of Murchie Bridge to Peninsula Drive and the Garfield Ave intersection.
The concept plan proposes expanding the segments of the existing trail width to 16 feet, with 10 feet dedicated to bi-directional bicycle use, and six feet dedicated to pedestrian use. The concept plan also envisions a future trail connection east of Senior Center Beach along the Parkway.
Read more about the collective effort in this recent Ticker article.
Objectives
- Expand existing trail width to 16′, with 10′ dedicated to bi-directional bicycle use, and 6′ dedicated to 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, bikable Traverse City
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.
Thank you to our Go Farther Fund Donors!
Dan & Marsha Edson
In memory of Gordon & JoAnn Grapes, Mutual Gas
Al & Terry Hershey
John & Nancy Morris
Thank you to our TART Bayfront Improvement & Extension Funders & Project Partners:
City of Traverse City
Downtown Development Authority
Michigan Department of Transportation
TART Trails
The Festival Foundation
Traverse City Tourism
Traverse City Track Club