The I-275 Metro Trail began back in the 1970s as the Michigan Department of Transportation's response to the then-fuel crisis. The original trail linked Wayne, Oakland and Monroe counties along a 40-mile paved route that ran parallel to Interstate 275.
The trail was ahead of its time, but construction standards were not up to the standards of today's pedestrian and bike trails and the path fell into disrepair. However, thanks to the efforts of MI DOT, along with volunteers, planners and recreation enthusiasts, the I-275 Metro Trail is now alive and well. As of summer 2012, the new and improved paved path runs between Novi to the north and New Boston to the south.
Along Hines Drive in Plymouth Township, you can connect to the
Rouge River Gateway Greenway, stretching 20 miles through several western suburbs of Detroit. Just north of Michigan Avenue, you can also connect to the 4-mile
Lower Rouge River Recreation Trail in Canton Township. Trail planners are also working on a connection to the
M-5 Metro Trail to the north.
You can access the I-275 Metro Trail in numerous places along its route, including 8 Mile Road, Ann Arbor Road, Palmer Road and Michigan Avenue. For more information, view the
I-275 Metro Trail map.
This is a nice trail, the north section (north of M14) was rebuilt a couple years ago and the southern section is in process. The rebuilding of the southern section was complete for riding this summer to Michigan Ave. By October it was competed almost ...