City officials report that construction of Phase I of the TART Improvement & Extension project is substantially complete, covering three segments that link West End Beach with the Peninsula/Eastern intersection. The city and project partners TART Trails and the Downtown Development Authority will mark the milestone with a ribbon‑cutting at Clinch Park at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, an event that signals improved access for pedestrians and cyclists across a key stretch of Grand Traverse County.

Phase I work focuses on a strategic non‑motorized junction that ties together three major local routes: the TART, the Leelanau Trail and the Boardman Lake Loop. Completing the segments between West End Beach and the Peninsula/Eastern intersection addresses a longstanding gap in the county’s active‑transportation network, enabling safer and more direct movement between downtown Traverse City, waterfront recreation areas and residential neighborhoods.

The project was developed in partnership with TART Trails and the Downtown Development Authority, reflecting a collaboration between city government and organizations focused on trail operations and downtown vitality. The “substantially complete” designation indicates the major construction elements are finished and the corridor will be accessible to the public, while final punch‑list work and landscaping may continue in the coming weeks.

For residents, the most immediate impacts will be improved non‑motorized connectivity and enhanced recreational options. The linked corridor creates a single junction point for three widely used routes, making it easier for commuters, families and visitors to move between Clinch Park, the Peninsula, and trails extending north and south. From an economic perspective, strengthened trail connectivity typically correlates with increased foot traffic for nearby businesses, extended tourist stays, and broader appeal for events that depend on easy downtown access; those local market effects are likely to be felt along the downtown waterfront and adjacent commercial streets.

Policy implications extend beyond the immediate convenience. Completing Phase I demonstrates the city’s investment in active transportation infrastructure and the practical benefits of public‑private coordination. It also positions Traverse City to pursue additional phases that can further expand non‑motorized options and integrate with countywide planning goals for sustainable mobility and outdoor recreation as an economic asset.

The ribbon‑cutting at Clinch Park will provide residents a chance to see the improvements first‑hand and learn about next steps for the broader TART Improvement & Extension project. With Phase I largely in place, stakeholders say attention will turn to maximizing use, ongoing maintenance, and planning subsequent phases to build on this newly connected network.