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Belle Isle Park Multimodal Mobility Study

bridge over river

Belle Isle Park Multimodal Mobility Study

To help ease traffic congestion, enhance accessibility and increase public safety at Belle Isle Park, the Michigan departments of Natural Resources and Transportation and the Belle Isle Conservancy conducted a comprehensive multimodal mobility study 2022-2024.

Informed by a 2.5 year comprehensive study, the Belle Isle multimodal mobility plan outlines a long-term vision and 10-year implementation strategy to enhance mobility throughout the park, including its roads, trails, sidewalks and parking areas.

Wade Trim, a metro Detroit-based engineering consultant firm, completed the study.


To collect comments and/or feedback on the multimodal mobility plan, we've developed an online feedback form.
Belle Isle Multimodal Mobility Study logo with colorful lines

​Key mobility study findings

  • Restriping the MacArthur Bridge with two lanes for cars in each direction and a dedicated two-way bike lane, providing a safe and separated path for cyclists and pedestrians to access the Detroit International RiverWalk.
  • Restriping the perimeter loop road to include one-way vehicular traffic and two-way bike lanes.
  • Converting Central Avenue, spanning 1.25 miles from the James Scott Memorial Fountain to the woods, creating a people-focused promenade for public space to walk, bicycle, run and more.
  • Installing wayfinding and directional signage to help visitors better understand how to move around the island.
  • Partnering with the Detroit Department of Transportation to expand bus routes and stops around the island; MOGO – a Detroit-based nonprofit bikeshare organization – to expand on-site bike sharing; and others to determine the feasibility of a ferry stop at Belle Isle.
  • Completing construction of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trail, which also serves as the southernmost 6 miles of Michigan's Iron Belle Trail, for biking, walking and rolling around the island.

While some recommendations require further funding and design, several improvements are already underway, including the completion of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trail and interim restriping of Central Avenue. Additionally, the design and installation of new wayfinding signage are also progressing, with some installations planned for this year.

Data collection

Comprehensive data collection informed mobility improvements:

Data collection included traffic counts; an aerial traffic inventory study that included 38 flights; in-person observations of how people moved around the island; extensive discussions with staff, stakeholders and vendors; inventory of wayfinding signs; visitor-use counts; crash analysis and more.

Public input was crucial to the planning process, gathered through intercept surveys, stakeholder meetings and a public open house.

Contact

For more information about the multimodal mobility plan or upcoming strategic plan, please contact 313-821-9844.

Future planning

Building upon the multimodal mobility plan, the DNR Parks and Recreation Division will soon develop a strategic plan for Belle Isle Park. This plan will outline additional priorities that align with community needs.