MD2O0T Supe0rior9 Re gion MDOT Superior Region Non‐Motorized Transportation Plan Non‐Motorized & Investment Strategy Transportation Plan & Investment Strategy 2009 Developed by: Central U.P. Planning & Development Region Prepared for: Eastern U.P. Regional Planning & Development Western U.P. Planning & Development Region ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS MDOT and three State of Michigan Planning Regions collaborated in the preparation of the Superior Region Non‐Motorized Transportation Plan and Investment Strategy including: Central Upper Peninsula Planning & Development 2415 14th Avenue South Escanaba, MI 49829 Telephone: (906) 786‐9234 Website: www.cuppad.org Lloyd Matthes, Executive Director Wendy Taavola, Transportation Planner Steve Lenaker, GIS Specialist Eastern Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Commission 125 Arlington Street, Suite 18 P.O. Box 520 Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 Telephone: (906) 635‐1581 Website: www.eup‐planning.org Jeff Hagan, Executive Director Ellen Benoit, Assistant Director Nathan Fazer, GIS Technician/Planner Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region 393 E. Lakeshore Drive P.O. Box 365 Houghton, MI 49931 Telephone: (906) 482‐7205 Website: www.wuppdr.org Kim Stoker, Executive Director Lori Hauswirth, Associate Planner Nels Anderson, GIS Specialist Steve Rouser, GIS Technician Numerous local government officials and representatives as well as non‐motorized stakeholders contributed to the preparation of this plan. There are too many persons to list but we thank all who provided their time and energy during the plan development process. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1‐1 1.2 Study Area............................................................................................................ 1‐2 1.3 Facility Types........................................................................................................ 1‐2 1.4 Process and Community Participation................................................................. 1‐4 1.5 Organization of the Strategy................................................................................ 1‐5 CHAPTER 2.0 EASTERN U.P. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGION 2.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 2‐1 2.2 Major Population and Employment Centers ....................................................... 2‐6 2.3 Major Attractions............................................................................................... 2‐10 2.4 Stakeholder Engagements ................................................................................. 2‐11 2.5 Existing Facilities ................................................................................................ 2‐12 2.6 Gap Analysis....................................................................................................... 2‐27 CHAPTER 3.0 CENTRAL U.P. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGION 3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 3‐1 3.2 Major Population and Employment Centers ....................................................... 3‐2 3.3 Major Attractions............................................................................................... 3‐11 3.4 Stakeholder Engagements ................................................................................. 3‐12 3.5 Existing Facilities ................................................................................................ 3‐14 3.6 Gap Analysis....................................................................................................... 3‐20 CHAPTER 4.0 WESTERN U.P. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGION 4.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 4‐1 4.2 Major Population and Employment Centers ....................................................... 4‐1 4.3 Major Attractions................................................................................................. 4‐9 4.4 Stakeholder Engagements ................................................................................. 4‐10 4.5 Existing Facilities ................................................................................................ 4‐10 4.6 Gap Analysis....................................................................................................... 4‐22 i CHAPTER 5.0 SUPERIOR REGION IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY 5.1 Goals and Actions................................................................................................. 5‐1 5.2 Recommendations for Implementation .............................................................. 5‐4 5.3 Cost Estimates...................................................................................................... 5‐5 5.4 Trail Maintenance................................................................................................ 5‐6 CHAPTER 6.0 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 6.1 Designing for the Rider ........................................................................................ 6‐1 6.2 Bicycle Compatibility Levels................................................................................. 6‐2 6.3 Types of Bicycle Facilities..................................................................................... 6‐3 6.4 Design Considerations ......................................................................................... 6‐4 CHAPTER 7.0 FUNDING AND RESOURCES 7.1 Funding Sources................................................................................................... 7‐1 7.2 Trail Resources..................................................................................................... 7‐8 APPENDICES: Appendix A: Eastern U.P. Trail Survey Appendix B: Eastern U.P. Trails Appendix C: Project Prioritization Matrix Appendix D: Central U.P. Trail Survey REFERENCES LIST OF MAPS: Map 1‐1: MI Department of Transportation Superior Region and Upper Peninsula Planning Regions...................................................................................... 1‐3 Map 2‐1: Eastern Region Population Centers and Major Employers ................................. 2‐7 Map 2‐2: Eastern Region Non‐motorized Assets and Attractions .................................... 2‐14 Map 2‐3: Eastern Region Non‐motorized Issues and Opportunities ................................ 2‐35 Map 2‐4: Eastern Region Non‐motorized Local Connections ........................................... 2‐36 Map 3‐1: Central Region Population Centers and Major Employers................................ 3‐10 Map 3‐2: Central Region Non‐motorized Assets and Attractions..................................... 3‐13 Map 3‐3: Central Region Non‐motorized Opportunities .................................................. 3‐25 Map 4‐1: Western Region Population Centers and Major Employers................................ 4‐8 Map 4‐2: Western Region Non‐motorized Assets and Attractions................................... 4‐12 Map 4‐3: Western Region Non‐motorized Opportunities ................................................ 4‐26 ii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction According to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) State Long‐Range Transportation Plan 2005‐2030, non‐motorized transportation is one key element to an integrated transportation system and MDOT is working to best incorporate non‐motorized initiatives in future projects. To meet this objective, MDOT has coordinated a state‐wide initiative partnering with local regional planning agencies to develop regional investment strategies for non‐motorized travel that state and local officials can use when planning for future road construction or re‐construction projects. In 2007 the MDOT provided funding to the three planning regions of the Upper Peninsula: the EUP Regional Planning and Development Commission (EUPRPDC), the Central UP Planning & Development Region (CUPPAD) and the Western UP Planning & Development Region (WUPPDR) to collaborate on the Superior Region Non‐motorized Transportation Plan & Investment Strategy (Strategy). The Strategy covers the 15 counties of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula including: Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw and Ontonagon in the Western Upper Peninsula; Alger, Delta, Dickinson, Marquette, Menominee and Schoolcraft in the Central Upper Peninsula and Chippewa, Luce and Mackinaw in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. The purpose of the Strategy is to identify non‐motorized gaps and serve as a guidance tool that State and local agencies and groups can use to incorporate non‐motorized facilities into their future planning and construction. The Strategy supports the goals and objectives of the people of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula but also coordinates with the neighboring regions in the northern Lower Peninsula and neighboring northern Wisconsin communities. The Strategy is a living document that represents the current non‐motorized transportation needs in the Superior Region and will need to be updated periodically as sections of roads and trails are built, other potential trail connections are established or the needs of the community change. Complimenting other statewide non‐motorized efforts, the Strategy incorporates findings from Connecting Michigan‐A Statewide Trailways Vision and Action Plan prepared by the DNR in collaboration with MDOT and Michigan Trails at the Crossroads: A Vision for Connecting