Featured Engineering Department Projects

Boardman Lake Trail- The City Engineering Department has designed all of the segments of the Boardman Lake Trail. The 2-mile heavily wooded trail along the east side of Boardman Lake was constructed in October 2005 and connects Hull Park near the library to Medalie Park on South Airport Road. The northern mile of trail is paved,  while the southern mile is crushed limestone. In 2008, the north trail segment was built connecting Hull Park to 10th Street. This segment includes an impressive trail bridge over the Boardman River. The vision for this trail is a pathway that circles Boardman Lake, granting easy access to the library, Medalie and Hull Parks, Oryana Food Cooperative and city neighborhoods.An extension of the trail along the west side of Boardman Lake between 10th Street and 14th Street will be constructed in 2014.

Bay Street Reconstruction- In 2011, Bay Street between Division Street and Maple Street was reconstructed by Special Improvement District to construct parking and make significant drainage improvements. In 2013, similar improvements were constructed on Bay Street between 2nd Street and Maple Street per the request of the adjacent property owners. This project formalized the parking for 102 spaces including 4 universal access spaces and a geometric change at the intersection of Bay and Oak that tightened the dimensions of the intersection. Prior to the reconstruction, parking occured on the gravel shoulder surfaces.

Elmwood Avenue Reconstruction-In 2011, Elmwood Avenue was completely reconstructed. Per resident input, the width of the street was reduced from 32-feet to 27-feet wide for traffic calming. Poor sections of curb and gutter sections were replaced as will the sanitary sewers and undersized water main. All water line service connections were upgraded with one inch taps. Repairs were performed on the storm sewer at Elmwood and 3^rd Street. Poor sections of sidewalk were replaced and a new sidewalk was installed on the east side of the street north of Wayne Street. The alignment of the new sidewalk was altered to protect existing trees. Sidewalk ramps were replaced to meet the American Disability Act. A geometric change was made at intersection of Bay and Elmwood that tightened the dimensions of the intersection.

Silver Drive Reconstruction Project and Buffalo Ridge Trail- In 2011, Silver Drive was reconstructed between 11th Street and Silver Lake Road. In addition, the Buffalo Ridge Trail was constructed from Silver Lake Road north to Silver Drive/Brown Drive and from Silver Lake Road south to Traverse City West Middle School walking path. The Silver Drive Reconstruction Project included wetland mitigation, mindfulness of natural features, traffic calming features, a transit stop, landscaping, sidewalks, sidewalk ramps that meet the American Disability Act, realignment of Cottage Drive, and access to TBAISD site and the Historic Barns Park site.

The Buffalo Ridge Trail is a planned 4.5-mile trail that will connect the west and southwest areas of Traverse City and will be part of a network of trails located between Silver Lake Road and US-37. In addition to Buffalo Ridge Trail, the new Safe Routes to School path between Wyatt and Barnes roads was completed in fall of 2012.  As part of the Historic Barns Park project, the Township and Joint Recreation Authority are working to connect the Safe Routes to School path at Barnes Road to the Buffalo Ridge Trail off Silver Drive, with a trail running parallel to Silver Lake Rd.

Historic Barns Park and Garden Trail Project- In 2013, the City of Traverse City designed and engineered the Historic Barns Park and Garden Trail Project on behalf of the City of Traverse City and Charter Township of Garfield Recreational Authority and the Charter Township of Garfield. The 10-foot wide non-motorized trail extends from the Historic Barns Park property along Silver Lake Road to Barnes Road.