Safety paths costs to be offset by TAP grants

By Lisa Brody

A federally-funded Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant for $955,505 will go towards offsetting costs incurred in acquiring easements and other costs in constructing a new Bloomfield Township safety path along Telegraph Road, Square Lake Road, and Franklin Road, and the addition of pedestrian crossings at east-west Telegraph Road at Square Lake Road, and mid-block crossing of Telegraph Road at Bataan Road, with Bloomfield Township trustees unanimously approving the grant at their meeting on Monday, August 23.

Engineering and environmental services director Olivia Olsztyn-Budry explained the request for the federally-funded TAP grant had been made by the previous township administration. She noted that the township has never made use of this program before.

“The TAP grant is federally funded, and as such the township must follow federal guidelines as it relates to the right-of-way acquisition for the permanent and temporary easements,” she explained.

Lea Michaels of Hubbell Roth & Clark said of the TAP program, “It's a competitive program using federal funds for activities that enhance intermodal transportation systems and provide safe alternatives with transportation options. The minimum grant is $200,000, with no maximums. There is a minimum local match of 20 percent, but typically locals match between 35 to 45 percent.”

As part of the process, the township will have to go through the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) bid process. Funding is for fiscal year 2022.

The total project cost for the safety path project is $2,136,914, with the TAP grant providing $955,505.

“The nice thing is this will connect to two SMART bus stops,” said Olsztyn-Budry.