A summary of a recent grant application I wrote for the City of Ferndale and 5 other communities for a 17 mile bicycle route. The project was awarded over $200k in grant money and will be completed in late 2016.

1. 2016 TAP Summary:
Woodward Corridor
Neighborhood Bicycle
Network
Ferndale Community and Economic Development Department
April 27, 2015

2. 2016 TAP Grant Application
 CED staff recently completed an application through SEMCOG/MDOT to be
awarded 2016 Transportation Alternatives Funding (TAP)
 Proposed transportation improvements that qualify must benefit pedestrian
and cycling infrastructure, such as shared-use paths, streetscapes, etc.
 City of Ferndale has previously been awarded for street improvement projects
on West Nine Mile Road and Livernois Street

3. Project Purpose
 Enhance quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors along in Ferndale
and surrounding Woodward Corridor by creating a connected neighborhood
bicycle route with adjacent cities:
 Hazel Park
 Huntington Woods
 Oak Park
 Pleasant Ridge
 Royal Oak

4. Woodward Corridor Neighborhood
Bicycle Network
 The goal is to create a highly visible, connected neighborhood bicycle route
that enhances linkages and builds relationships with communities surrounding
Woodward Corridor:
 17.1 Mile Loop includes:
 Central Business Districts
 Employment Centers
 13 Parks
 10 Schools
 2 Libraries
 1 University

5. Proposed Woodward Corridor Bicycle
Network
 …

6. Grant Funded Elements
 Participating items of work for the project include:
 Local bike route signage
 Shared lane markings and bike lanes
 High visibility crosswalks
 Wayfinding hubs

7. Wayfinding Signage Benefits
 There are a variety of beneficial reasons for communities to install wayfinding
signage on a bicycle network:
 Familiarize users with the bicycle network
 Identify the best routes to destinations
 Overcome a “barrier to entry” for infrequent bicyclists
 Denote mileage and travel time to destinations to help educate and minimize the
tendency to overestimate bicycle travel time
 Visually indicate to motorists the presence of a bicycle route and use caution
 Market the bicycle network and neighborhoods by providing unique and consistent
imagery throughout the jurisdiction
Source: National Association of City Transportation Officials

8. Complete Streets Coordination
 The Woodward Corridor Neighborhood Bicycle
Network supports the City of Ferndale’s Complete
Streets ordinance by improving roadways to “safely
accommodate all users of the right-of-way”
 Enhances collective space to give pedestrians and
cyclists an equitable share of streets
 Aligns with recent non-motorized projects:
 TAP funded: West Nine Mile Rd, Livernois Street (from Eight
to Nine Mile), Fourth Street (Royal Oak)
 Non-TAP funded: Hilton Road, East Nine Mile Road
W. Nine Mile Improvements
Livernois Street Improvements

9. Project Alignment With Existing Plans
 The Woodward Corridor Neighborhood Bicycle
Route is pursuant of regional transportation
coordination and aligns with many of the
participating communities’ specific plans:
 City of Ferndale Non-Motorized Plan and 2008
Master Plan
 Huntington Woods 2014 Master Plan
 Oak Park 2014 Strategic Economic Development
Plan
 Oakland County Routes Map
 Pleasant Ridge 2015 Community Master Plan
 Royal Oak 2012 Non-Motorized Plan
 SEMCOG Regional Non-Motorized Plan for Oakland
County
City of Royal Oak 2013 Non-Motorized Plan

10. Ferndale Proposed Improvements
 Aside from updating signage to MMUTCD standards and including more way-finding
information, the City’s grant proposal includes enhancements as part of Ferndale’s
Non-Motorized Plan:
 Shared lane markings and bike lanes
 Improved pedestrian crossings with flashing beacons and curb extensions
 Wayfinding Hubs with maps, repair stations, and bike parking

11. Project Summary
 The Woodward Corridor Neighborhood Bicycle Network is a competitive
project and efficient use of grant funds to better connect six adjacent
communities
 The project showcases unique collaboration between these six communities in
the creation of a 17 mile loop
 The route provides better circulation among communities and provides a safe
route for levels of cycling comfort
 The six communities are backing up their commitment to Complete Streets
and Non-Motorized Improvements with a 30% match

12. Tentative Milestone Timeline
 Sep. 2015 – Plans and Estimate Complete
 Oct. 2015 – Grade Inspection Package submitted to MDOT
 Nov. 2015: Right of Way Certified
 Dec. 2015: Matching Funds Certified
 Jan. 2016: Project Listed in Approved TIP/STIP
 Feb. 2016: Advertisement Start Date
 Mar. 2016: Construction Letting Date
 Apr. 2016: Construction Start Date
 Jul. 2016: Construction End Date