Dearborn Rouge River Construction

Spicer Group provided survey, design, and full construction engineering on this 0.33-mile trail project in the City of Dearborn allowing walkers, runners and bicyclists to traverse the paved path from Ford Field Park all the way to Hines Park, through natural areas and the campuses of the University of Michigan-Dearborn and Henry Ford College. It now stretches behind the Andiamo restaurant, off Michigan Avenue, on an elevated boardwalk. It continues past the restaurant’s west parking lot and along the wooded tree line through the Dearborn Historical Museum property. From there, it connects to the existing sidewalks and bike lanes on Brady Street and ultimately to Ford Field Park. Along the route, visitors pass the Henry Ford Estate, Environmental Interpretive Center and extensive picturesque natural areas, including a 300-acre mixed-habitat Environmental Study Area, habitats that include one of the few remaining climax beech-maple forests in southeastern Michigan and the Rouge River Bird Observatory. More than 250 species of birds have been spotted in this longest-running full-time urban bird research station in North America. The trail is paved and includes an elevated boardwalk, concrete substructure, curb, gutter, sidewalk and ramps, timber piles, micro piles, and geocell earth retention system and slope restoration. The enhancement to the trail was made possible by a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, a grant from Michigan Department of Transportation, and city contributions.