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Environmental assessment clears a key step for Bronson Rail Trail TAP resubmission, council told
Summary
City staff reported a phase‑2 environmental assessment was completed for the Bronson Rail Trail and concluded that a paved trail would function as an engineered barrier to impacted soils; the council approved resubmitting a MDOT TAP application and adopted a supporting resolution.
City staff told the Bronson City Council that a phase‑2 environmental assessment for the Bronson Rail Trail found localized soil impacts but concluded a paved trail would function as an engineered barrier, clearing a technical barrier MDOT had flagged during the initial TAP review.
"Based on results, the engineer concluded that construction of a paved trail would function as an engineered barrier mitigating direct contact with any impacted soils," staff said when recommending resubmission (Speaker 4).
The city said it secured a Brownfield assessment grant to complete the phase‑2 testing, which included incremental composite samplings along the corridor. With environmental testing complete, staff said they are prepared to resubmit the MDOT Transportation Alternatives Program application; the packet lists an application amount of $1,031,700.67 and a required city match of $257,941.80. The council adopted the resolution supporting resubmission.
Staff also noted the project previously received an estimated DNR trust fund award (packet phrasing: approximately $203,190 — transcript contains an unclear larger figure). The council directed planning and engineering staff to attach the environmental assessment to the TAP application and move forward with grant resubmission.
Next steps: staff will resubmit the TAP application with environmental findings and coordinate match funding. The council did not set a construction start date; MDOT's final determination will follow its grant review process.
