Chelsea awarded about $377,000 grant for safer routes to walk and bike

(Chelsea Update would like to thank Matt Pegouskie for the information in this story.)

The City of Chelsea is a recipient of a $377,285.29 grant from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and the Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF) for safer routes to walk and bike.

Among the improvements will be:

• Install and update sidewalks on the west side of Wilkinson from US-12 to Wellington Street, the east side of Wilkinson from Wellington to Chandler Street, the south side of US-12 from Gene Street to Wilkinson, the north side of Wellington from Wilkinson to Dale Street, and add pedestrian crossings on Wilkinson at Wellington, Pine and Chandler streets, as well as US-12 at Wilkinson.
• Update the pedestrian crossings at the Howard, Elm and McKinley street intersections.
• Add sidewalks to the west side of Grant Street between Lincoln and Chandler streets, the south side of Chandler between Grant and Wilkinson, redesign the pedestrian crossing at Grant, Lincoln Court  and Lincoln, Taylor and Pierce streets, and add crosswalks on Chandler at Summit street.
• Add a pedestrian island at the intersection of Washington and Madison
• Replace sidewalk on the west side of Madison at the intersection of A.D. Mayer Drive, as well as add crosswalks at the intersection of A.D. Mayer and Freer Road, and improve of signage in area of intersection.

The infrastructure projects are expected to be completed in 2015.

“We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with the City of Chelsea to improve infrastructure and enhance the ability of students to safely travel to and from school on foot and/or by bike,” said Chelsea School District Superintendant Andy Ingall in a press release.

The Federal Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funds will account for $369,290 or 100 percent of the infrastructure portion of this project, while the non-infrastructure portion of this project, about $8,000 will come through the MFF.  Engineering costs will be funded by the city.

The funds are in response to development of a plan intended to provide students in the city safer routes to walk and bike to school.  It will also improve opportunities for all Chelsea community members to walk and bike thanks to infrastructure improvements.

The grant is the second major SR2S grant received by communities within the 5 Healthy Towns.  Last November, Dexter received $225,000 for improvements around its school campus.

“One of the more gratifying aspects of receiving the grant was the process used by the agencies involved in securing it,” said Mayor Jason Lindauer in a press release. “Where the welfare of our citizens and their children are involved, collaboration amongst the responsible parties involved is usually most effective in reaching the desired result.”

“This approach provides consensus for what the issue is, its urgency and then a review of possible solutions and how to best secure the most appropriate one.  This model for success is a continuing point of pride for all of us involved in public service here in Chelsea,” he said in the release from the Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation.

Two years ago, CWF engaged CSD representatives, parents, students, city employees and the Chelsea Police Department in efforts to implement Safe Routes to School (SR2S).

The wellness foundation fostered a partnership with Warren Rauhe and Dr. Wayne Beyea from MSU’s School of Landscape Architecture, as well as Dr. Tim Gates and interns from Wayne State University and staff members from SEMCOG and MFF.

The team conducted walking audits with school officials, students and parents. They also interviewed Chelsea residents before putting together formal recommendations for infrastructure improvements intended to increase the likelihood students and parents in Chelsea will arrive at school by foot or bike.

CWF Community Investment Manager Matt Pegouskie and Process Results’ Ted Erickson, P.E. worked with the city, Chelsea Police, and Chelsea School administration to develop a competitive grant application that addressed the most pressing infrastructure needs.

“We appreciate the collaborative effort that made this grant application possible,” Pegouskie said in the press release, adding, “Local support, as well as support from MFF and SEMCOG staff, is incredibly important for the success of SR2S Chelsea.”

About $8,000 from MFF is earmarked for programming including education, encouragement, and enforcement activities, such as an annual bike rodeo, a brochure and map safety campaign, and crossing guard materials for Beach Middle School and South Meadows Elementary School.

The Chelsea Police Department will receive a portable radar sign to be used in the Chelsea School Zones. The sign will be used to help control speeds along the designated safe routes.

“The cooperation between local and regional groups in this important and fruitful project has been terrific,” Amy Heydlauff, executive director of CWF said in a press release.

“When we make it easier for our children to get around town we do the same for the rest of the population. And, when children walk or bike to school they perform better in class. This is something to celebrate,” she said.