Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance

There are currently 23 responses to “I-275 Metro Trail”

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1. 1 On August 4th, 2008, Mark McGarry said:

   I’m accustomed to road cycling in Canada, and planning a visit with a friend in Oakland County. I can’t believe I’m being pushed onto “recreational trails” if I want to cycle! I want to get places and see the community, not paved trails in woodlands or parks! Bikes are classified as a vehicle by Ontario’s road authority, and there’re active advocacy groups successfully pushing for bike lanes on current and future roadways. Maybe we have a healthier mindset in Canada. Or maybe Michigan just can let go of the narrow minded car mindset. I recall seeing some arterials without sidewalks even!

2. 2 On December 5th, 2008, Tom Champagne said:

   Take it easy Mark! Don,t be so harsh on us. while you may have a better cycling system in Canada, It does not mean that we are not trying. There are plenty of people with a healthy mindset in Michigan. Some of the trail systems that we have are trails that have a beauty of their own. While we are working on a better bicycle friendly system, Some things take time and there are plenty of people working very hard at trying to build a bike system that we can be proud of. Perhaps you should look into some of the paved trail systems that we do offer, and try them out. this website can help you to plan a trip all the way to the top of our state if you would like. then you will see some of what we have to offer you.
   TAKE IT EASY ON US!
   Tom

3. 3 On February 12th, 2009, Congratulations to MDOT’s Greg Johnson | m-bike.org said:

   [...] the biggest change Greg made was having MDOT take back responsibility for the I-275 bike path. ?After languishing without maintenance for 30 years, the bike path is getting repaired section by [...]

4. 4 On April 17th, 2009, I-275 Bike Path: Getting Clean and Improved | m-bike.org said:

   [...] the next two Saturdays, the Friends of the I-275 Bike Path are hosting trail cleanup days. The details are [...]

5. 5 On July 2nd, 2010, Mike Morrison said:

   What a great trail….but so darn rough between Will-Carlton and Ecorse roads…Is a repave in the works for the near future? Thanks.

6. 6 On May 13th, 2011, Russ said:

   With the repaving of Tyler Road the water company graded and made a road to a water meter near the I-275 bike trail. I sent a note to Van Buren Township and mentioned it to their recreation department, but got no action. Before that last few hundred feet grow up would be a great time to make an access point on the flat there. Any recommendations on how to make this happen?

7. 7 On June 5th, 2011, Kevin said:

   So, with the grand opening of the I275 path, is it in good / passable condition for the entire length? Or, are there still bad areas? I’m an eastsdier and looking for new areas to ride.
   Thanks, Kevin

8. 8 On June 6th, 2011, barry said:

   The trail was completed last summer from the north end in Northville, starting at Meadowbrook Rd to Michigan Ave. This summer, 2011, the trail will be closed from Michigan Ave to the Lower Metro Parks as they will be working on the trail and completing in the fall.

9. 9 On June 7th, 2011, Andy Sulkowski said:

   Can anyone share with me if the I275 path is made for road bikes? A few years ago I bike through Canton to Livonia and it was bumpy/rough. I now road bike and would appreciate any feedback. Thanks

10. 10 On June 8th, 2011, Keith said:

    The I275 trail between Michigan Ave. and Northville is in very good condition freshly repave and very good for road bikes.

11. 11 On June 21st, 2011, Shirlina said:

    I was wondering how to I access the I275 trail? Am I able to park my car at an access point and use the trail? Thanks in advance.

12. 12 On June 22nd, 2011, barry said:

    You can access the I-275 Metro Trail at any road crossing. Below is a link for a map of the I-275 Metro Trail that shows where there is parking along the trail. The trail has been refurbished from Northville to Michigan Ave and is open. The trail from Michigan Ave south to the Metro Parks is being refurbished this summer and is closed.

13. 13 On June 28th, 2011, Martin Leaf said:

    First, it is a very good trail overall, and a very good job was done. However, there are major, potentially fatal problems.

    As I mentioned before, but was not published, there are no signs once you enter Hines park from the north. The bike trail is torn up in spots in Hines park, so the road must be used, but which road would be a guess.

    But far more deadly is the path along M-14. When descending, it is possible to flip over the fence and onto the freeway. The fence should be much higher. This is especially true because the low parts along the freeway have blind turns and are narrow.

    If you are descending fast, and hit your front brake only, you will flip over, become airborne, and I believe go onto the freeway.

    At least paint a caution on the pavement to slow down, and a warning that opposing traffic bikers cannot be seen. That would be a good start.

    Otherwise, as I said, the only path in Michigan that I think can compete is Midland to Claire. But that path does not have any hills, so one can actually get a better workout on I-275.

    I have not tried the newly paved trail from Grand Rapids to Cadillac.

14. 14 On July 17th, 2011, Karla Mahan said:

    We rode the 1-275 trail this morning for the 1st time. It was fabulous and we appreciate all the hard work and dedication that has been put into this project. It’s nice to have a safe alternative to riding on the streets! Thank you!!!

15. 15 On July 19th, 2011, Domenico M said:

    I was wondering what the expected completion date of the lower 275 trails is… Those trails would make a perfect way to get to work but the last time I tried to use them I nearly broke my neck. I hope they are able to finish before summer is over.

16. 16 On July 19th, 2011, Tom N said:

    Road whole trail from Meadowbrook to Michigan Ave today. impressed with trail patches. Trail south of Hines to Mich. Ave. Is road bike ready. Using my 29er mtn bike was great everywhere else. Any plans to link Meadowbrook north or east to Farmington Hills?

17. 17 On August 2nd, 2011, barry said:

    The top half of the I-275 is complete from Northville to Michigan Ave. They are working from Michigan Ave to the Metro Parks this summer and should be completed sometime in the fall.

18. 18 On August 10th, 2011, Lauren French said:

    We rode yesterday from Haggerty to 7 mile and it was a lot of fun, the path is great. Our problem is with the Haggerty AP, we couldn’t find it at first and its so rough and overgrown that you have to walk your bike to the trail otherwise you’ll get knocked off your bike (trust me!) So if they could make a parking area there, put signs up and clean up the path and repave it there that would be great!!

19. 19 On October 24th, 2011, Josh said:

    I really wish that some of the funds to re-pave the trail could have instead been used to divert the trail either over or below a few of the major intersections, such as Ford Rd. and Mich. Ave., and 8 Mile Rd. Other metropolitan suburban bike trails, such as around Chicago, do not make riders cross every major intersection along the paths. The way that the traffic signal functions — with all of the turning arrows — at 8 Mile, it is virtually impossible to cross there. You must creep out into the road and hope that someone will stop to let you cross. Therefore, I now do not ride further north of that point.

20. 20 On October 24th, 2011, nancy said:

    Thanks for your input. We realize there are some less than optimum crossings. The trail is a work in progress and it is up to MDOT, the owner, to evaluate the increase in trail traffic to see what further improvements needs to be made. We have forwarded your comments to the Friends group and will bring it up at future MDOT meetings.

21. 21 On October 26th, 2011, DON said:

    CAN THE I-275 PATH SOUTH OF MICH AVE BE USED NOW?

22. 22 On October 26th, 2011, barry said:

    Don,
    Your question to MTGA was forwarded to the Friends of I-275 Metro Trail group for an answer.
    The metro trail south of Michigan Ave in still under construction and will not officially open until the spring of 2012. Guard rails and fencing have not been installed. There is still construction equipment and work being done at Sibley Rd and Hannan Rd and fresh cement is being poured at Van Born Rd. Work still needs to be done at the railroad bridge.
    The trail is officially closed and it is dangerous to be out there with construction still ongoing. We ask trail users to continue enjoying the trail north of Michigan Ave and be patient on using the trail south of Michigan.
    Diane
    President, Friends of I-275 Metro Trail

23. 23 On January 16th, 2012, Steve said:

    I understand the trail doens’t officially open til spring, just passing on some info. The trail south of Michigan has had all of it’s trail closed signs removed, except for one near the I-94 bridge over Hannan Rd which is off to the side and may have been forgotten since they’ve been done with the I-94 bridge for sometime now.

    I ride this trail on weekends (last ride Jan 7, 2012) as I was worried about workers during the week. Honestly I’m not sure anyone is working on it any longer. There were some crews putting the fence post up in early December, but there has been no fencing put up or signs installed since.

    It’s a shame they didn’t fix the drainage issues as they did north of Michigan better along this trail as there are areas were water is constantly draining over the new trail. I suspect this trail will have issues in the coming years due to the water.

    The trail is really only usable to the I-94 overpass at Hannan Road, after this area the trail hasn’t been repaved, but the bridges have been replaced down to Sibley or the connector trail between Lower Huron and Willow Metroparks. The trail has weeds and brush grown over it and through the pavement which in some areas was packed down when the bridges were put in from vehicles. I access Lower Huron MP by riding Hannan south from I-94 to the access trail (which was the old entrance years ago) south of Huron River, which is less then a mile on 35 mph road.

    Crossing’s for Michigan Ave aren’t the greatest and I don’t think I’d use them if I had kids riding with me. You can cross at Michigan Ave but traffic can be flying in this area as the speed limit is 55. There’s a traffic light for east bound Michigan at NB 275 exit ramp. The second option is similar to Ford Road by riding east to Hannan then riding back west to hit the trail (the new sidewalk on the south side of Michigan is in place), this journey is challenging too, since depending on which way your riding traffic coming out of the gas stations, Lotz Road, and fast food places aren’t expecting or looking for trail users.

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