The City issued a request for proposals (RFP) from consulting landscape architectural/civil engineering firms to provide final design and construction administration services for the Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART) Expansion and Extension between West End Beach and the intersection of Garfield Avenue/US 37 and Eastern Avenue, located within the City of Traverse City. One firm will be selected as a qualified firm to provide the engineering services for the project.
The improvements encompass a non-motorized trail that serves as the confluence of the regional trail network for transportation and recreational users, providing a junction for the TART Trail, Leelanau Trail, and the Boardman Lake Loop Trail. Furthermore, the heavily used waterfront parks in this location creates an exceptionally high level of trail use. Trail counts conducted along this stretch by TART Trails in 2018 and 2019 showed over two million trail visits annually.
The concept plan proposes expanding the trail width to 16 feet, with 10 feet dedicated to bi-directional bicycle use, and six feet dedicated to pedestrian use. The added width will address the capacity limitations and marking the pavement to separate pedestrians and bicyclists will address user conflicts by creating space for the modes which operate at different speeds.
The City Commission's 2022 adopted their Goals and Objectives identified connecting people with nature as a strategic priority with a goal to provide safe and accessible public spaces where people may recreate, socialize, or enjoy being alone in nature.
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