Eight Mile Road Improvements Get Tri-Party Funds
Novi city officials approved funding for the project, which will not include off-road paths to connect neighborhoods to Maybury State Park, among other destinations.
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While a project to improve Eight Mile Road from Beck to Napier will include bike lanes on both sides, off-road paths aren't part of the plan, Novi city manager Clay Pearson said during Monday's city council meeting.
Though officials approved the allocation of $161,697 in tri-party road funds for the project, Mayor Pro Tem David Staudt and council member Andrew Mutch were disappointed that pedestrian paths are not on the table. Staudt called them "a critical part of our long term plan" for the area and said he is "definitely looking for further direction from staff" and information about the cost of installing the paths.
Mutch noted that Northville city and township have stepped up to work on gaps in paths on the east side of Beck Road, which puts the onus on Novi.
"Getting a connection to Maybury State Park would really be a big win for residents in our community," he said. "We have a state park on our border, and right now, the only way you can get there is to get in your car and drive."
During public comment, resident Jeff Beno said he and others have shared their concerns with the Walkable Novi committee. He noted the bike lanes that are part of the project aren't sufficient for younger bike riders or pedestrians.
According to a council memo, the project will include additional turn lanes, mid-block pedestrian crossings near Garfield Road and ITC Community Sports Park, and pedestrian improvements at Beck Road.
Novi officials in December received more than $205,000 toward the project, thanks to unclaimed tri-party funds from the Road Commission for Oakland County. Monday's approval brings the city's local match to $523,428, Pearson said. The project is set to be bid in May.
erbrel
7:03 am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
What about Wayne County taking care of 8 mile between Center and Griswold?
Donna Owens
8:52 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Exactly! This must be among the worst- of- the worst roads in the county (both counties!)....Hope this stretch is on the top of the resurface list!
Tom Griebe
9:08 am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
I agree with Jeff Beno that a bike lane is not adequate if you want to attract families to ride their bikes to Maybury State Park. A little extra investment now when the main work is being done will yield big returns over the coming decades. If we decide to do it later, the costs will be prohibitive.
Larry G Ciancio
12:15 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
I believe we need to address the neighborhood deterioration street network it has become unsafe, it diminishes curb appeal and requires attention. The Associations of several neighborhoods are becoming impatient and to be honest bike paths and side walks do not appease our concern over the streets. They are simply put awful and not what the Novi appeal is all about... Larry G. Ciancio, Whispering Meadows Homeowner Association.
Andrew Mutch
2:04 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
With voter approval of the millage increase last year, the city plans to put a significant amount of additional dollars towards fixing neighborhood roads as those funds become available. At the same time, the city is also committed to funding additional projects to complete gaps in the city's sidewalk and bikepath network. Citizen surveys have consistently shown that there's strong resident support for improving both our road and sidewalk networks.