Msu to La Ke La Nsing Trail Feasibility Study
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MM SS UU T O LL A K E LL A N S I N G TTR A I L FFE A S I B I L I T Y SST U D Y C HARTER T OWNSHIP OF M ERIDIAN Approved and Adopted March 3, 20 14 February 9, 2018 A CKNOWLEDGEMENTS Township Board Ronald J. Styka, Supervisor Brett Dreyfus, Clerk Julie Brixie, Treasurer Phil Deschaine, Trustee Patricia Herring Jackson, Trustee Dan Opsommer, Trustee Kathy Ann Sundland, Trustee Staff Frank Walsh, Township Manager Derek Perry, Assistant Township Manager/Director of Public Works & Engineering Younes Ishraidi, Chief Engineer Nyal Nunn, Project Engineer With the assistance of: The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc. MERIDIANTOWNSHIP MSU to Lake Lansing Trail Feasibility Study | February 9, 2018 Page i C ONTENTS I NTRODUCTION Purpose & Process ............................................................................................................. 1 Background ......................................................................................................................... 2 Public Outreach ................................................................................................................... 7 Trail Overarching Principle .................................................................................................. 7 E X I S T I N G C ONDITIONS Environmental Considerations ............................................................................................ 9 Endangered Species ............................................................................................ 11 Trail Alignment Alternatives .............................................................................................. 12 Phase 1 – Hagadorn Road to Park Lake Road ................................................... 12 Phase 2 – Park Lake Road to Marsh Road ......................................................... 16 Phase 3 – Marsh Road to Lake Lansing .............................................................. 19 R O U T E E VALUATION Estimate of Construction and Easement Costs ................................................................ 23 Criteria for Project Evaluation ........................................................................................... 29 P R E F E R R E D T R A I L A LIGNMENT Top Trail Routes ................................................................................................................ 35 Implementation Strategies ................................................................................................ 36 MAP-21: Transportation Alternatives Program, Safe Routes to Schools, and Recreation Trails .................................................................................................. 36 Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality ......................................................................... 37 Michigan Transportation Fund (Act 51) ............................................................... 37 Surface Transportation Fund (STP) ..................................................................... 37 Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) .................................... 37 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) ............................................. 38 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) ...................................................... 38 Recreation Passport Grant .................................................................................. 38 Advocacy Advance Rapid Response Grant ......................................................... 39 DALMAC Fund ..................................................................................................... 39 PeopleForBikes Community Grant Program (formerly Bikes Belong) ................. 39 Small Grant Programs ......................................................................................... 39 Other Sources and Local Support........................................................................ 39 A PPENDIX Public Input ....................................................................................................................... 43 Ingham County Trails and Parks Comprehensive Report ................................... 43 MSU to Lake Lansing Trail Online Survey ........................................................... 45 Stakeholder Meeting ............................................................................................ 55 Second Meeting ................................................................................................... 57 MDOT Environmental Screening ...................................................................................... 59 MSG Wetland Delineation and Threatened & Endangered Species Habitat Survey ....... 61 MERIDIANTOWNSHIP MSU to Lake Lansing Trail Feasibility Study | February 9, 2018 Page iii L I S T O F F I G U R E S Figure 1. Location Map ..................................................................................................... 1 Figure 2. The River Trail ................................................................................................... 2 Figure 3. Heart-of-Michigan Trail...................................................................................... 3 Figure 4. Regional Trail Priorities ..................................................................................... 4 Figure 5. Meridian Township Pedestrian-Bicycle Pathway Map ...................................... 5 Figure 6. Red Cedar River Water Trail ............................................................................. 6 Figure 7. Phase 1 Wetland Delineation .......................................................................... 10 Figure 8. Phase 1 ........................................................................................................... 12 Figure 9. Phase 2 ........................................................................................................... 16 Figure 10. Phase 3 ........................................................................................................... 19 L I S T O F T A B L E S Table 1. Phase 1 Summary of Existing Conditions ....................................................... 15 Table 2. Phase 2 Summary of Existing Conditions ....................................................... 18 Table 3. Phase 3 Summary of Existing Conditions ....................................................... 21 Table 4. Phase 1 Costs ................................................................................................. 25 Table 5. Phase 2 Costs ................................................................................................. 26 Table 6. Phase 3 Costs ................................................................................................. 27 Table 7. Phase 1 Evaluation Matrix .............................................................................. 31 Table 8. Phase 2 Evaluation Matrix .............................................................................. 32 Table 9. Phase 3 Evaluation Matrix .............................................................................. 33 Page iv February 9, 2018 | MERIDIANTOWNSHIP MSU to Lake Lansing Trail Feasibility Study I NTRODUCTION In communities across Michigan and the nation, there is a growing need and responsibility to provide opportunities for people to walk and bike to more places and to feel safe while doing so. The benefits of walking and bicycling whether for commuting or for recreational purposes can lead to reduced traffic congestion and improved quality of life. Trails and greenways promote outdoor recreation, catalyze economic development, increase adjacent property values, celebrate historical and cultural assets, promote conservation and environmental education and improve quality of life in a community. They provide an alternative mode of transportation which can also result in environmental and individual health benefits. They connect communities through a green way or green infrastructure for hiking and biking. P U R P O S E & P ROCESS The purpose of this feasibility study is to determine the best trail alignment for extending a shared use path from Michigan State University (MSU) to Lake Lansing in Meridian Township. This will specifically assist Meridian Township in evaluating the feasibility of various trail alignment alternatives to satisfy the construction of the MSU to Lake Lansing trail. The ultimate goal of the shared use path is to provide safe travel for all non-motorized users and connect to key destinations including MSU neighborhoods, schools, parks, places of employment and community facilities. The study main tasks consist of: Figure 1. Location Map Meridian Township Developing alternatives for the trail route alignment; Assessing the trail alternatives and documenting the potential benefits, challenges, costs, environmental impacts, easement needs, permits required, and other considerations; Engaging community stakeholders and the public on the preferred trail route; and Evaluating and recommending the best trail route. Ingham County Michigan MERIDIANTOWNSHIP MSU to Lake Lansing Trail Feasibility Study | February 9, 2018 Page 1 B ACKGROUND The proposed MSU to Lake Lansing trail is an extension of the Lansing River Trail which is a 16-mile regional shared use paved trail. The older portion of the River Trail was built in the late 1980’s along the Grand River through Downtown Lansing and connects a number of Lansing City Parks as well as Downtown Lansing. As shown in green in Figure 2, a segment of the Trail runs east from Potter