MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Construction on Mt. Hope Pathway began this past Monday, April 10, 2017. The new path is determined to close the gap between Okemos and Maumee and stretches about a half a mile long.

Estimated to cost about $270,000, Meridian Township residents can expect to see over 25 hundred square feet of new sidewalk, completing a two mile stretch of pathway from Okemos Road to Hagadorn Road.

Meridian Township Board has been discussing this addition for over 12 years and it has been in the works for about eight.

"We've been working with the citizens that live along the road to get easements to build it, so it's been a long, drawn out process," said Meridian Township Drafting Manager, Jay Graham.

The completed walkway isn't the only thing residents can expect to see, Meridian Township is also repairing the falling retaining wall at 1998 Jolly.

Completing this stretch of sidewalk gives residents a safer way to walk, bike or run to their desired destinations.

"It protects people from walking on a busy road," said Meridian Township Draft Manager, Jay Graham.

Residents can expect the pathway to be finished in July of 2017.