Dexter Connection Construction Progress
Project Overview
The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission (WCPARC), in cooperation with the City of Dexter and Huron Waterloo Pathway Initiative, has bid and awarded a contract for the construction of a non-motorized shared use B2B Trail project. This is a continuation of completed B2B Trail segments between the City of Chelsea and the City of Dexter. After this segment is completed only one more segment, Dancer Road to Lima Center Road, will remain on the city-to-city connection. This trail is part of the county-wide Border to Border (B2B) Trail and the state wide Iron Belle Trail network.
The WCPARC will work with the Contractors to:
-Construct nearly a mile of non-motorized shared use trail from the Miller/Smith Preserve (just west of Parker Road) to the City of Dexter.
-Construct a 10 foot wide concrete trail with two timber boardwalks.
-Construct a mid-block crossing of Dexter-Chelsea Road, with pedestrian actuated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons.
-Construct a 300’ bridge over Mill Creek, which will utilize the 130 year restored historic Bell Road Bridge for the crossing of Mill Creek.
-Connect into the City of Dexter’s Mill Creek Pathway Trail network and into downtown Dexter.
-Complete the restoration of all disturbed areas and plant some native trees and shrubs.
Project Timeline
The Contractor intends to commence work in mid-May 2026 and the project is scheduled to be substantially completed by late fall of 2026.
Contact Information
Questions concerning the project should be directed to:
-Primary Contact: Roy Townsend, Project Manager, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation,
phone: (734)-845-1903
email: townsendr@washtenaw.org
-Peter Sanderson, Project Manager, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation,
email: sandersonp@washtenaw.org
Follow the project at B2BTrail.org for construction progress updates.
734-971-6337 | parks@washtenaw.org | washtenaw.org/parks
Frequently Asked Questions:
The pathway construction will extend from the Miller/Smith Preserve on the north side of Dexter- Chelsea Road and then cross over to the south side of Dexter-Chelsea Road, before heading south and crossing Mill Creek. Then finally connecting to the City of Dexter’s Mill Creek Pathway Trail.
The pathway crosses the road at a location that meets the safety standards and permit requirements of the Washtenaw County Road Commission. It has good sight distance, push-button-activated flashing lights, and will be marked with signs before and at the crossing.
The estimated cost for these proposed construction projects is approximately $3.2M.
The project is funded with Washtenaw County Parks millage funds from the 4-year Road and Trail Millage approved in 2024; the City of Dexter; and our non-profit partner, the Huron Waterloo Pathway Initiative who has secured private funding through donations, a matching challenge, and various private grants.
The Contractors are pre-qualified by the Michigan Department of Transportation, which means they have experience doing such large-scale trail/ path and bridge projects.
The Contractor intends to commence work in mid-May 2026. The construction on the path will occur in the spring, summer and fall of 2026, and be completed by the late fall of 2026.
Yes, but the impact will be very minimal. Traffic will be maintained by use of flag control and temporary signage, as needed to accommodate work near the roadway. Most of this project is south of Dexter-Chelsea Road, and will have nearly no impact on traffic
Some utilities will have minor impacts by the proposed pathway construction. Utility owners have been informed of the proposed work. Plans have been prepared based on the location information provided by utility owners.
Yes. Some trees will be removed to accommodate the new pathway footprint and most of this tree removal work has already occurred. Additionally, replacement trees and shrubs are part of this project, and that work will occur later this fall or early in 2027.