Big News!

It's taken some seven years, but the Michigan Air Line Trailway Council has finally closed on the Coe Railroad property. With the aid of two government grants - a Federal Transportation Alternatives Program grant and a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant – the Trailway Council purchased the railroad right-of-way on February 8.  Total amount of the sale was $2,610,000.

When the Air Line is developed and completed, trail users will be able to travel from Pontiac to Kensington Metropark (and additional points north and south) along a single trail. The Trail will be an outstanding recreational resource for the three communities of Commerce, Walled Lake and Wixom, as well as Oakland County and Southeast Michigan in general.
 
It is anticipated that the Trailway Council will work to secure additional grants to fund the further development of the Trail. 

Trail Update

For the immediate time being, please note that the Trail is closed. Within a month we anticipate installation of some minimal regulatory signage that is required before we can legally open the Trail for use. Signs like stop signs at road crossings, as well as a warning sign explaining that while the Trail may be used, it is not yet improved. 

Here's a look at the Warning sign:

M-5 Bridge Update

According to MDOT, construction letting for the M-5 pedestrian bridge is anticipated in fall, with primary construction scheduled for spring 2018.

Friends Group Meeting

Our next email will announce the first meeting of the Friends of the Air Line Trail... anticipated for sometime in March.  We are also working on the first permanent version of the Trail's web site. Now that we own the Trail, there is much work to do in getting the trail funded, surfaced and improved!

Thanks for all of your support.