Macomb Orchard Trail Opens its Final Paved Leg

 BRUCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A much anticipated project will be celebrated on Tuesday October 11th as community leaders marked the opening of the final paved leg of the Macomb Orchard Trail from Bruce Township to Richmond.

 The non-motorized, hike and bike path is a 24-mile linear park which starts at 24 Mile Road and Dequindre in Shelby Township and travels northeast to the City of Richmond. The property, formerly owned by the Canadian National Railroad, was purchased by the county in 2001 for $3.5 million.

 “This marks a milestone for the county,” said Macomb County Commissioner Don Brown, who was a principle advocate for the trail from its inception in 2002, and also serves on the Macomb Orchard Trail Commission. “It has been an extensive undertaking, but I am proud to say that we now have a 24-mile paved trail that is accessible for enjoyment to persons of all ages and abilities.”

Brown said Trail Commission is continuing plans to improve amenities along the trail with rest stations, additional parking, and access points to the trail in Shelby, Washington, Romeo, Armada and Richmond.

 Please see the attached fact-sheet for more information on the trail.

 For a trail map, visit: www.macombcountymi.gov/macomborchardtrail/map.htm

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 Brief History of the Trail

In 1998, the Canadian National Railroad put up for sale a 24-mile section of railroad for $5.4 million.

In 1998, the Friends of the Macomb Orchard Trail (FOTMOT) group was formed. Their mission became converting the abandoned railroad corridor into a trail and set about building community support and raising money for the purchase and development of the trail.

The FOTMOT rallied the support of leaders from several of the communities located along the trail. This group then asked the Macomb County Board of Commissioners for help in purchasing the trail. Macomb County negotiated with the railroad company and finally bought the corridor for $3.5 million dollars. 

In 2001, the “Macomb Orchard Trail Commission” (MOTC) was formed. They were given the responsibility of developing and providing ongoing maintenance for the trail. Members include representatives from three of the eight municipalities through which the former railway runs, a county commissioner and a member of the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority.

In 2002, a master plan for the trail was created. The goal of the plan was to provide a safe and attractive trail for users.

In 2003, an engineering firm was hired to prepare specifications for developing Phase I of the Macomb Orchard Trail. This six-mile stretch begins at 24 Mile Road and Dequindre in Shelby Township and ends at 29 Mile Road and Van Dyke in Washington Township. The project was completed in the summer of 2004.

In 2005, The Macomb Orchard Trail Commission began engineering of the final 17 miles of trail. This construction project included asphalt trail from Washington Township to Romeo and from Armada Ridge and 33 Mile Road to downtown Richmond.  In between these two areas the trail remained in stone.

In 2007, The Macomb Orchard Trail Commission had a grand opening of the Richmond Gateway Park.

In 2008, the bridge over M-53 which made a safe crossing over this busy boulevard stretch of road.

In 2010-2011, the trail between Armada Township and the City of Richmond was asphalted and the bridge over the North Branch of the Clinton River was rehabilitated at a cost of $1,132,636.

 The completion of the bridge over the North Branch of the Clinton River is similar to the “golden spike” as the ability to cross this river valley connects the east and west segments of the trail.

 To be continued…