E.L. receives $1.1M from MDOT, plans to install bicycle paths

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Bikers will find it easier to travel along one busy road in East Lansing by summer 2010.

East Lansing recently was awarded about $1.1 million in federal grants toward transportation enhancement.

Ten Michigan counties received more than $5 million dollars from federal funds distributed by the Michigan Department of Transportation, and Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced Wednesday Ingham County is one of the counties to receive money to improve its nonmotorized transportation.

East Lansing’s Director of Public Works Todd Sneathen said the project will install an 8 inch concrete bike pathway along both sides of Saginaw Street, from Audubon Road to Alton Road on the south side, and from Harrison Road to Stonegate Lane on the north side. Construction will begin by April 2010 and will be completed by the end of August 2010, Sneathen said.

The addition of sidewalk lanes for pedestrians and bikers is in response to a speed limit change along Saginaw Street to 45 mph from 35 mph about four years ago. The increased speed caused some concern for pedestrians walking alongside the road, Sneathen said.

“We started to talk to MDOT about potential nonmotorized elements just because of the increased speed along there,” he said.

No-preference freshman Levi Capper said he rides his bike on highways in his hometown, and adding more space for bikers and pedestrians is a good idea.

“It could reduce pedestrian collisions,” he said.

However, communication junior Marissa Blaski said she disagrees.

“I don’t see bike (paths) drawing students to (that area),” she said. “People I know would drive or take a bus.”

East Lansing applied for the funds earlier this year and received notification it would receive them sometime last month, Sneathen said.

The Michigan Department of Transportation gives the grants out several times a year, with money specifically set aside for transportation projects, MDOT spokesperson Barbara Hicks said.

Along with the federal funds, East Lansing is required to foot 20 percent of the bill, or $224,000, which makes the total project budget $1.7 million with the grants. The grants are intended to help beautify communities and are spread throughout the state, Hicks said.

The funds were allocated to help stimulate and transform Michigan’s economy, said Megan Brown, Granholm’s spokeswoman.

“The improvements play an important role in the economic viability from communities to the U.P. to the Lower Peninsula.”

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