WALKER, MI – A five-lane state highway currently bisects the Fred Meijer Standale Trail, but the non-motorized path that travels north from Millennium Park through Walker could go under Lake Michigan Drive NW by the summer of 2016.
The city and the West Michigan Trails & Greenways Coalition this week kicked off an $850,000 fundraising campaign to build a tunnel beneath the road that’s also known as M-45. The effort aims to raise the money by June in order to leverage a $1.1 million grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation.
“The potential here is substantial,” said Kati Santee, executive director of the trails coalition. “This project is a huge priority. This is one of the key connections (in the regional trail network).”
RELATED: Walker to build pedestrian tunnel under Lake Michigan Drive for trail users
The Fred Meijer Standale Trail currently meets Lake Michigan Drive at street level near Hampton Lane and Manzana Drive, west of Lincoln Country Club. Trail users can go west along M-45 to Kinney Avenue, where they can cross the road at a signaled intersection.
But many trail users also cross the road Frogger-style without going to the signal.
Trail advocates say a tunnel would be safer for cyclists and pedestrians, and contribute to “placemaking” efforts on Lake Michigan Drive through Standale. Walker has earmarked $120,000 in its current fiscal year budget – and expects to commit about that much again next year – to help pay for the tunnel.
“Having this trail right through the middle of Walker is really cool,” said Mike Hood, a resident and member of Friends of the Walker Highland Trails group. “It connects all the trails (in the area). Everybody has to go through Walker to get to any other place.”
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The tunnel would fill a missing link in the Standale Trail and serve as a regional hub for trails around the area, Santee said. The coalition expects to consider funding for the tunnel during its current grant cycle that closes to applications Dec. 31.
To contribute to the tunnel, you can text “GHACFTRAILS” to 20222 and a $10 donation will be added to your phone bill.
Money for the $1.1 million MDOT grant comes from the federal Transportation Alternatives program, said Erick Kind, an MDOT manager in Grand Rapids.
“There’s more out there than just the (motor) vehicles,” Kind said.
Matt Vande Bunte covers government for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at mvandebu@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter and Facebook.