Township approves safety paths for 2023

By Kevin Elliott

Bloomfield Township trustees unanimously approved projects for the Jan Roncelli Safety Path Program for the 2023 construction season at their meeting on Monday, February 13.

The total cost estimate for 2023 projects is about $3.5 million.

Bloomfield Township Director of Public Works Noah Mehalski said routes selected were identified on the 2008 Safety Path Master Plan, with routes to be constructed in 2023 along Lahser, Franklin and Telegraph roads. The department also is finishing work that wasn’t completed in 2022.

Included in the 2023 program is about 4,900 linear feet of safety path connecting existing paths at Maple and Quarton to the west side of Lahser Road. The path will give pedestrians the ability to connect to lateral streets and existing paths. The path also requires substantial amount of curb to be installed, to allow the path to be closer to the road and limit impacts to residents in the area. The project is estimated to cost about $1.8 million.

About 1,900 linear feet of path will be installed along the east side of Franklin Road, from Kendry to Fremont Street. The path will connect an existing path leading to Square Lake Road and south of Square Lake Road to the newly constructed, and yet to be completed, path along Telegraph. The cost of the project is estimated at $770,000.

About 3,300 linear feet of safety path is planned along the west side of Telegraph Road, between Humphrey Avenue and Pontiac Drive. The path will give residents a safe way to and from the Clinton River Trail. The route requires five easement agreements from adjacent residents, due to the limited amount of right-of-way available along Telegraph. The cost of the project is estimated at $950,000.

In addition to the 2023 projects, the township will be working to complete some approved in 2022.

A portion of pathway along Woodward Avenue, between Manor and Maywood roads, will be completed in 2023. A pathway along the east side of Telegraph, between Hickory Grove and Franklin Roads, will also be completed.