MDOT to Evaluate Trenton's 'Walkability'

Just because a city has sidewalks and stoplights doesn’t make it a great place to take a walk.

Each year, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) executes "walkability" evaluations to determine if improvements can be made to walking conditions in several communities throughout Michigan.

Trenton was among seven communities selected to participate in a "walkability" audit slated for August 16.

The free audit will be conducted by Dan Burden of the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, along with Trenton officials, to evaluate conditions and offer improvement ideas.

Burden has 40 years of experience in developing, promoting and evaluating active transportation facilities, traffic calming practices and sustainable community design, according to an MDOT release.

The audit will focus on two important areas in Trenton's Downtown Development Authority, or business districts, near West Jefferson between and and along West Road between the and Fort Street.

Mary Bohling, educator at the Michigan State University extension sea grant program, said the audit would allow Trenton officials to collaborate with regional efforts like the and the .

Other Michigan communities receiving audits are Paw Paw, Alpine Township, Wyoming, Meridian Township, Gaylord and Detroit.

Those interested in finding out the walkability of their Trenton neighborhood can visit www.walkscore.com.