Transit + Transportation Management

Action #1

Strengthen the Township’s relationship with The Rapid and extend the pilot trial for the bus service extension along 28th Street to Cascade Village and make the route permanent.

The 28th Street route to Cascade Village services an increasingly aging area of the Township as well as attached housing, services, and hotels. These demographic indicators and land uses suggest an increasing reliance on transit for daily needs and accessing employment.

Work with The Rapid to make the Route 28 permanent and help increase awareness of the route with local employers and transit dependent populations.

Action #2

Expand The Rapid service to access 60th and Broadmoor to provide access to employers.

More respondents of the community survey than not indicated a desire for improved transit services. 37% of survey respondents “strongly agree” or “agree” with the following statement: “The Township should further improve transit services.25% had “no opinion.

Work with communities and employers in the “four corners” area such as the City of Kentwood, Caledonia Township, Gaines Township, and Amazon to develop a successful transit model for the area.

Action #3

Establish a park and ride lot near the 36th Street and I-96 Interchange in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

42% of survey respondents “strongly agree” or “agree” with the following statement: “A park and ride lot should locate near the 36th Street and I-96 interchange.34% had “no opinion.

Work with the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport to develop a park and ride on MDOT or airport property.

Action #4

Continue work with the CSX railroad, the Grand Valley Metro Council, and regional townships and municipalities to work toward a long-range commuter rail connecting Lansing, Grand Rapids, Cascade Charter Township and Holland.

44% of survey respondents “strongly agree” or “agree” with the following statement: “The Township should facilitate passenger rail from Grand Rapids to Lansing.24% had “no opinion.

Maintain a seat at the table regarding discussion future planning for commuter rail.

Freight + Rail

Action #1

Support the continuance of freight rail service in and through the Township.

Local employers rely on freight rail service to transport raw materials and goods in and out of the Township and neighboring communities.   

Maintain communication with CSX and local employers who rely on freight rail service regarding existing and future needs; advocate for continuance of rail corridor.

Action #2

Maintain truck route corridors which support the shipping needs of business and industry.

Local employers rely on truck route corridors and access to interstate expressways to transport raw materials and goods in and out of the Township and neighboring communities.

Maintain communication with the Kent County Road Commission and local employers who rely on trucking service for existing and future needs; advocate for existing or expanded truck routes.

Trails + Pathways

Action #1

Establish dedicated pathway links to Lowell Township, Caledonia Township, Grand Rapids Township, and the City of Kentwood.

Participants at the Community Design Day indicated that further destinations and connections to neighboring communities are needed.

Identify existing or future non-motorized pathways near Township boundaries in adjacent communities and work with neighboring jurisdictions to establish connections.

Action #2

Connect trail and pathway system to all Township Parks.

61% of survey respondents “strongly agree” or “agree” with the following statement: “My neighborhood needs pedestrian connections to and between schools, trails, and shops.

Identify Township parks which are underserved by non-motorized access and plan for preferred future trail extensions.

Action #3

Expand the pathway system into the southeast quadrant of the Township.

Participants at the Community Design Day indicated that there is a desire to extend the trails and pathways system into the southeast quadrant of the Township.

Identify preferred routes and destinations for future connections or loops into the southeast quadrant of the Township.

Streets + Roadways

Action #1

Adopt a Vision Zero street safety policy and support and advocate for changes and improvements in street design.

86% of survey respondents indicated that improving pedestrian safety and connectivity is a “very important,” “important,” or “somewhat important” Township priority.

Work with the Kent County Road Commission in drafting policy language to define a Vision Zero policy; incorporate as a city to take control of the street system.

Action #2

Modify the Cascade Road and Old 28th Street cross-section in Cascade Village to promote walkability and traffic calming.

  • 72% of survey respondents indicated that they consider the lack of safe pedestrian crossing points on Cascade Road to be “very serious” or “somewhat serious.
  • Participants at the Community Design Day indicated that vehicle speed makes being a pedestrian in the corridor uncomfortable and crossing the street difficult.

Work with the Kent County Road Commission and Downtown Development Authority to construct a street cross-section which is reflected in the Cascade Village Master Plan vision; incorporate as a city to take control of the street system.

Action #3

Improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities on bridge in Cascade Village by adding pots and planters or bike lanes to separate vehicles from the sidewalk.

Participants at the Community Design Day indicated that crossing the bridge was uncomfortable and dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Work with the Downtown Development Authority and the Kent County Road Commission to install pots, planters, and bike lanes; incorporate as a city to take control of the street system.

Action #4

Modify the Thornapple River Drive cross-section near Cascade Village by adding street trees and a sidewalk to promote walkability and traffic calming.

Participants at the Community Design Day indicated that the lack of sidewalk facilities on Thornapple River Drive near Cascade Village is uncomfortable and dangerous for pedestrians.

Work with the Kent County Road Commission and Downtown Development Authority to construct a street cross-section which is reflected in the Cascade Village Master Plan vision; incorporate as a city to take control of the street system.

Action #5

Install sidewalks crossings in known conflict areas so that residents have safe access to services, parks, and regional trails.

  • 75% of survey respondents indicated that they are “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” with pedestrian safety in the Township.
  • 64% of survey respondents indicated that they consider the lack of safe pedestrian crossing points on 28th Street to be “very serious” or “somewhat serious.

Work with the Kent County Road Commission, Michigan Department of Transportation, and Downtown Development Authority to study conflict areas by utilizing the Michigan Traffic Crash Facts query tool and improve pedestrian crossings, install signalization, add bulb-outs, and narrow streets; incorporate as a city to take control of the street system.