SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments recently awarded $130,571 in Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding for sidewalk enhancements in the City of Chelsea.
“The state and federal government have worked hard to funnel infrastructure dollars to communities,” said Marty Colburn, Chelsea city manager in a press release. “There are so many areas where it is challenging to keep up with aging infrastructure on any given day. Being inclusive and serving the needs of the most vulnerable is a critical service that local governments must continue to strive to do better.”
Officials representing SEMCOG, Chelsea, as well as State and federal government partners gathered on Monday, Oct. 28 to celebrate this award and the expanded walking access it will bring to Chelsea and its Belser Estates neighborhood.
“TAP is one of the most popular and impactful programs that we have, connecting our neighborhoods and communities through walking, biking, and transit,” said Kevin Vettraino, director of planning for SEMCOG, in a press release. “This award to the City of Chelsea enables students to get to school more safely while also providing better access to core services for all,” he said.
Funding for this project will enable the City of Chelsea to construct a sidewalk modernization project that will install 13 ADA-compliant crosswalks within the Belser Estates neighborhood of Chelsea at the intersections of:
- Provincial Dr. and St James Pl.
- Provincial Dr. and Armstrong Dr.
- Provincial Dr. and Kimlee Ct.
- Provincial Dr. and Sunset Dr.
- Darwin Dr. and St James Pl.
- Darwin Dr. and Armstrong Dr.
- Darwin Dr. and Provincial Dr.
“I am thrilled to see these important sidewalk improvements coming to Chelsea,” said State Rep. Kathy Schmaltz, R-Jackson. “Accessible infrastructure is critical in making sure everyone, from young children to our seniors and individuals with disabilities, can navigate our community safely. I’m grateful to SEMCOG for recognizing Chelsea’s needs and supporting this project to enhance our walkable neighborhoods.”
Once complete, residents will have access to other parts of the city, including Beach Middle School and the Border to Border Trail.
Supporting several regional priorities, this project:
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- Provides connections to identified Regional Corridors
- Enhances walking and biking in an identified Equity Emphasis Area
- Enhances walking and biking in regional Demand Areas, especially in areas identified as gaps in access to walking or biking infrastructure
- Improves safety and mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists to access public spaces, downtowns, core services, and quality-of-life amenities
TAP projects are transportation-related improvements to roadways, local streets, and corridors. Most often, they address mobility options through new or enhanced bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. This includes things such as pathways, bike lanes, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossings. These projects improve the existing transportation system, while providing safe new options to help people connect to transit, regional trails, and core service destinations. TAP can also fund green infrastructure projects that mitigate environmental concerns from the road network.
