M-553 Bike Path

MDOT has just received a major federal transportation enhancement grant.

The money will help it do something it’s wanted to do in Marquette for years.

MDOT is joining the city to build a nealy half-mile–long non–motorized path.

It’ll run along M–553 from Grove Street to the bridge near Vistanna Drive.

The bike and walking path will improve safety for kids walking to and from Superior Hills Elementary.

The pathway will also improve access to a future phase of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail.

MDOT engineer Andy Sikkema says MDOT has wanted to do something like this on that section of M-553 since taking over administration of that section from the city in 2003.

The federal grant is worth nearly $125,000.

That’s most of the project cost.

MDOT and the city will use their own funds to cover the remaining $50,000 or so.

The construction is expected to start next May and wrap up next June.