Belle Isle multimodal mobility study update

Share or view as webpage  |  Update preferences

Belle Isle multimodal mobility study update

As many of you know, the Belle Isle multimodal mobility study is an effort to increase safety and enjoyment, improve wayfinding and ease travel for all users and modes on the island.

Feedback

This past summer, our project team received community input on an initial set of proposed solutions via a July 8, 2023, public open house. A recorded presentation and online survey was also available. The input we received was thoughtful and varied, but, in general, we heard a lot of support for the following proposed changes:

  • Improve the MacArthur Bridge entry experience for all visitors.
  • Add new wayfinding signage to help visitors move around the island.
  • Improve designs and facilities that support safe walking and biking routes (that accommodate diverse cyclists and group sizes), such as measures to slow the speed of vehicles, improve crosswalks and incorporate additional sidewalks.
  • Turn Central Avenue into a pedestrian-focused promenade that also allows for slow-moving vehicular traffic.
  • Work with a variety of partners to continue to improve other modes of arrival to the island, including better bus routes and stops and continued discussions to determine feasibility of a ferry stop.
  • Expand promotion and awareness of the Recreation Passport.
  • Increase parking at the most popular areas, but decrease parking and pavement where it’s not needed.

Outer loop configuration

We've also heard a lot of support for keeping Sunset Drive (outer-loop road) as one-way traffic as opposed to the proposed two-way configuration. To address this feedback, our team has been working over the past several months to evaluate options to keep one-way vehicle traffic in tact, while addressing the overall goals of improving safety and enjoyment for all park users.

Timeline

To accommodate ongoing work and ensure alignment with key partners, we've extended the mobility study completion timeline to spring 2024. Following this, we'll begin implementing the final recommendations in a phased approach, working collaboratively with the Michigan Department of Transportation and the City of Detroit as funding becomes available.

More information

Questions? Contact Amanda Treadwell at TreadwellA@Michigan.com or 313-269-7430.

Thank you for your input and support while we work to improve the Belle Isle Park experience for everyone. We look forward to sharing the final recommendations in the spring and moving toward implementation!

Visit project page ►