EAST LANSING, Mich. — Following a minor delay in the start of the 2018 Northern Tier Trail Improvement Project, work is now scheduled to begin next week.
On Monday, Jan. 22, work will begin to remove and replace the bridge east of the pond in Albert A. White Memorial Park. This bridge replacement is tentatively scheduled to be completed by Feb. 23.
On Monday, Jan. 29, work will begin to remove and replace the bridge south of the East Lansing Soccer Complex. This bridge replacement is tentatively scheduled to be completed by March 2.
There will be trail closures in the area of this work, with pedestrian detours in place. Trail users are asked to abide by all posted signs. Additional information, including a GIS map featuring current/upcoming closures along the trail, is available at www.cityofeastlansing.com/trailproject. Trail users are encouraged to check back regularly for updates, as the construction schedule is subject to change.
Project Background
The East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation & Arts (ELPRA) has been awarded $1,526,089 from the Ingham County Trails and Parks Millage to repair/replace six pedestrian bridges and make surface improvements along the Northern Tier Trail.
The bridge work will begin in January 2018 and the trail resurfacing is slated to begin in spring 2018. The project is slated for completion in fall 2018. During the work, there will be intermittent closures on the trail.
“We are excited for this project to be underway and want to thank community members in advance for their patience during the work,” said ELPRA Director Tim McCaffrey. “It cannot be said enough how appreciative we are of the Ingham County Trails and Parks Millage support we have received. Just under 70 percent of East Lansing voters approved the millage in November 2014, demonstrating a tremendous amount of local support for our outdoor recreational amenities.”
“We are thrilled to be able to take advantage of the millage funding that is available to improve upon the infrastructure and accessibility of our trail system – a community amenity that is enjoyed by many on a year-round basis,” said ELPRA Assistant Director Wendy Wilmers Longpre.
Bridge Work
The bridge work will include the complete replacement of two bridges and repairs to four bridges along the trail. Work will begin in January to remove and replace the bridge located between Abbot Road Park and the East Lansing Soccer Complex, which will be followed by the removal and replacement of the bridge east of the pond in Albert A. White Memorial Park. Bridge repairs will then be made to the bridge on the Abbey Road branch of the trail, the bridge east of Harrison Meadows Park, the bridge along the north side of Kalamazoo Street and the bridge along the west side of Hagadorn Road (in that order).
Trail Resurfacing
A one-inch asphalt overlay will be placed over 3.47 miles of the 4.8-mile Northern Tier Trail (the portion of the trail in Ingham County). Funding will also be used to make ADA improvements along the trail. During the trail resurfacing work, large sections of the trail will be closed intermittently. A phased plan for trail repair will be available closer to the date of construction.
For up-to-date information on the 2018 Northern Tier Trail Improvement Project, including schedule changes and closure information, please visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/trailproject.