Unfortunately, it is mostly a function of the available room. In some locations, the roadway and sidewalk are using all of MDOT’s available right of way. Some buildings have very limited setbacks from MDOT right of way lines along the corridor, which leave no additional space for widening sidewalks unless the buildings are demolished. While MDOT has budgeted $500,000 for right of way acquisition as part of this project, that is not sufficient to purchase and remove all of those obstacles to achieve wider sidewalks or separation from the roadway for the entirety of the corridor.
Areas of the corridor also abut city-owned park property, which can only be used for park purposes unless another use is approved by “...the electors by a three-fifths (3/5) majority vote...” Traverse City Charter, Chapter XVIII, Section 128 (page 42). Use of this park property for the expansion of MDOT’s right of way to accommodate more comfortable sidewalks, even if approved by local voters, would likely trigger an Environmental Assessment (EA) process that potentially would add years to the project timeline. Due to these constraints, MDOT is working with the City of Traverse City to provide trail improvements as a separate city-led project and will be installing wider and more frequent trail crossings to accommodate the future improvements.
In this limited footprint, dramatic expansion of nonmotorized pathways and sidewalks would require a reduction in the number of roadway lanes, which any resident and visitor can confirm are very busy throughout the year. Reduction of vehicle traffic capacity would result in more delay, diversion of more state highway traffic onto city streets, and decrease safety for all users.
In locations where there is additional space, MDOT and other groups are looking to place sidewalks and trails away from the roadway as much as possible.