Michigan Funds Six Pathway and Safe Routes Projects

The Michigan Department of Transportation allocated $6 million to six grants supporting active transportation across the state.

Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Car Types

Bold vector editorial illustration of a curving cream pedestrian pathway through a sage-green field with a coral edge, representing state-funded walking and cycling infrastructure. — The Michigan Department of Transportation awarded $6 million in March 2026 to six grants funding walking, cycling, and safe-routes-to-school projects in communities including Marquette, Munising, and Ottawa County. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Michigan Department of Transportation allocated $6 million for six Transportation Alternatives Program grants in March 2026. Funded recipients include Marquette, Munising, the West Michigan Trails & Greenways Coalition, Ottawa County and Allegan County.

Why it matters

The grants target active transportation, including walking and cycling infrastructure, in communities across Michigan. The program reflects an effort to add pedestrian and cyclist options to a road system originally built primarily for cars.

The Transportation Alternatives Program allocated $6 million across six grants in March 2026, with MDOT holding three application cycles each year. The available information does not break down how the funding is divided among individual projects or when they will be completed.

The players

Michigan Department of Transportation

The state agency responsible for transportation planning, funding and infrastructure across Michigan, including its Office of Economic Development, which selected the grant recipients through a competitive process.

The details

Projects in Van Buren, Berrien, Ottawa and Allegan counties, and in Lake City, Mount Pleasant, Munising, Marquette and Detroit, will build separated pathways, bridges, sidewalks and pedestrian safety improvements. Safe Routes to School projects in Marquette County, Munising, Muskegon County and Lake City include sidewalk construction, safety lighting and additional crosswalks.

March 2026: MDOT announced the $6 million allocation for six TAP grants.

Roadmap

Michigan's grants follow the federal Transportation Alternatives Program, which Congress created to fund bike lanes and separated paths for pedestrians and cyclists. The state awards are a concrete application of that purpose in communities that were largely designed around car travel.

Residents in the funded communities may see new separated pathways, sidewalks, crosswalks and safety lighting near schools and town centers. Drivers and pedestrians in those areas should expect the construction work that accompanies these projects.

The takeaway

Investments in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure change how people move through a community, not just how cars move through it. Watch for project announcements in your area as MDOT continues its three annual application cycles.