Groundbreaking Announcement

BY HWPI StaffJanuary 19, 2018

Construction of this 2.6 mile trail segment from the roundabout on M-52 just north of Chelsea to Green Lake will begin on March 5, 2018.

Dear Trail Supporter,

Over the past three years, the Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative (HWPI) has been working to jump-start development of new non-motorized pathways in Washtenaw County. There have been many highlights along the way, mostly related to demonstrating support from the community.

This week, we had a different type of highlight. Lew Kidder and I attended the initial construction planning meeting for the 2.6 mile M-52 trail segment (pictured above) that will be built beginning this spring. Held at the Washtenaw County Road Commission office, the meeting included representatives from MDOT, WCPARC, MDNR, Stantec Engineering, various utilities, and the design/engineering firms who will be building the trail.

Lew and I were guests, as HWPI has no official role in construction, so we were able to sit back and listen. We learned that construction is scheduled to start March 5th and will continue all summer, with “substantial” completion expected this fall. The trail route will be staked out in mid-February, and the first few weeks will be focused on tree removal and general site prep activities.

After the meeting, it was a perfect time for reflection. I would like to share these thoughts:

  • It was altogether appropriate that Lew was present representing the Karen’s Trail Campaign that has been so instrumental in moving the Border-to-Border Trail (B2B) effort forward the past 18 months.
  • It was an honor to represent the hundreds of volunteers and supporters who have been engaged in the HWPI effort over the past three years.
  • We all owe a debt of gratitude to several community leaders in Lyndon Township who have been working on this trail segment since 2011. These leaders are Marc Keezer, Tim Eder, Eric Stalhandske, Greg Peter, Bart Hammer, and many others.

There will be a groundbreaking ceremony sometime in February, and a public information meeting later in the spring, so stay tuned!

With gratitude,
Jeff Hardcastle, Board Chair
Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative