Township safety path projects approved for 2022
By Lisa Brody
Bloomfield Township trustees unanimously approved projects for the Jan Roncelli Safety Path Program for the 2022 construction season at their meeting on Monday, October 11.
Bloomfield Township Director of Engineering and Environmental Services Olivia Olsztyn-Budry explained the department comes before the trustees every fall for approval of the next year's proposed safety path routes. She said new for 2022, they are recommending filling in the path along Woodward between Manor and Maywood roads, which is partially completed. Along this stretch there are businesses, parking lots and driveways, and they would work around those.
Also in 2022, the department would construct the previously approved route for theTelegraph and Square Lake Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant program. Olsztyn-Budry explained the approved path route starts at the existing path on the south side of Square Lake Road at Franklin Road, traverses south on Franklin and around the commercial property at 2555 Telegraph. It will then cross Telegraph Road along the south side of Square Lake Road and connect to the existing safety path in front of 2510 Telegraph Road. The safety path will also be constructed along the north side of Square Lake Road from Franklin Road west and then north along the east side of Telegraph Road. A pedestrian crossing is to be installed in front of the Villages at Bloomfield on the west side of Telegraph at Bataan Drive.
The total costs for the 2022 program is $2,836,914, with reimbursement for the TAP grants at $955,505.
Construction along the west side of Lahser Road between 14 Mile and Lincoln roads, which could not be completed this season, will be done in the spring.
Other work to be completed is maintenance and repairs of flatwork and retaining walls.
In addition, trustees unanimously approved the development of an ADA compliance master plan for the safety path program, as the safety path program began in 1998, with the plan updated in 2008 and 2018. Newer paths have incorporated ADA-compatible ramps and crossings, but with over 70 miles of safety paths, 82,000 square feet of retaining walls and 25,000 feet of fencing, Olsztyn-Budry explained there were many areas that need updating and compliance.