$800,000 project improves pedestrian safety and expands connections to regional trails
SOUTHFIELD, MI: A stretch of Nine Mile Road that previously had no sidewalk now features a new 10-foot-wide shared use pathway, giving Southfield residents a safer place to walk, bike and connect to nearby neighborhoods and trails.
The City of Southfield has planned a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 12, at 3 p.m. at the former Brace-Lederle School, located at 18575 W. Nine Mile Road, to celebrate the completion of the $800,000 project. The new pathway runs along the south side of Nine Mile Road from Evergreen Road to the Southfield Road/Northwestern Highway service drive.
The pathway provides a much-needed connection for pedestrians and cyclists while expanding recreational opportunities for residents. Additional amenities, including benches, trash receptacles and bicycle repair stations, will be installed along the route.
“This new pathway gives residents a safer and more convenient way to travel along Nine Mile Road, whether they’re walking through their neighborhood, riding a bike or enjoying time outdoors,” said Southfield Mayor Dr. Kenson Siver. “It’s another important step toward making Southfield a more walkable and connected community.”
The pathway connects to the Southfield City Centre Trail, which provides access to the Southfield City Centre district and the Northland City Center. It is also part of the 9-Line, a developing 30 linear-mile regional trail system that connects communities along Nine Mile Road throughout Oakland County, with future links to other regional trails, including the Joe Louis Greenway and I-275 Metro Trail.
The project received $533,648 in federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding after being selected through a competitive process by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG). The City funded the remaining project costs through Metro Act funds. Construction was completed by Asphalt Specialists, with design and construction management provided by OHM Advisors.
Southfield is continuing to expand its pedestrian and bicycle network, with another section of the 9-Line from M-10/M-39 to Greenfield Road scheduled for construction in 2027. The city has also applied for additional grant funding to improve pedestrian crossings over M-10 and M-39, which would connect the two sections of the trail.
For more information about City of Southfield projects and initiatives, visit www.cityofsouthfield.com.
