Project Information
Project Location
Division Street between Catherine Street and Broadway Street.
Project Description
The project will:
Support bicycle travel by extending safe bicycle infrastructure and connect downtown to the Broadway Bridge and Ann Arbor’s north side.
- Make travel lanes clear and predictable for everyone using the road, improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
- Implement speed management to enhance comfort and safety for non-motorized users, where appropriate
- Coordinate with water main upsizing and street resurfacing projects
- Connect and improve the safety and accessibility of downtown streets for all ages and abilities
- Meet the goals of the A2 Moving Together Toward Vision Zero Plan and the DDA’s Development Plan.
The Division Street Bikeway Extension will continue the two-way bikeway from its current endpoint at Catherine Street to Broadway Street. Initial public engagement and the conceptual design for the project was completed as part of the Downtown Area Circulation Study. The next step is to prepare final engineering plans and prepare the project to go out to bid for construction in 2027.
- Improve road conditions.
- Replace and upsize an aging watermain from the 1880s.
Partners
The project is a collaboration between 3 city units: Engineering, Transportation, and the DDA. Transportation and the DDA will organize the final design phase of this project, and City Engineering will lead construction.
Public Tours and Open House
(PDF) Engagement Advertising Door Flyer/Mailer – August 2026
- Walking Tour Option 1: August 25 (Tuesday) at 5 p.m., will start at Catherine and Division intersection and finish at Broadway Street.
- Walking Tour Option 2: September 11 (Friday) at 1 p.m., will start at Catherine and Division intersection and finish at Broadway Street.
- Informational Open House: September 23 (Wednesday) from 5-7 p.m., at the DDA offices (located in the Kerrytown Shops on the 2nd floor, right next to V2V clothing boutique).
Project Funding
The watermain replacement and road resurfacing (Catherine to the south end of the Bridge) are funded by the city’s Water Millage and the city’s Street, Bridge, and Sidewalk Millage, respectively. Both funding sources use property taxes to pay for capital improvements.
From Carey Street (south end of the bridge) northward to Broadway Street, the bikeway, signal adjustments, crosswalk improvements, and transit stop upgrades are funded by the city’s Street, Bridge, and Sidewalk Millage.
South of the bridge, the bikeway, signal adjustments, crosswalk improvements, and transit stop upgrades are funded by the City of Ann Arbor DDA’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Fund. This fund also uses property taxes to pay for capital improvements.
You can find a list of all planned capital projects in the city’s Capital Improvements Plan, which also includes the projects listed in the DDA’s Development Plan.
FAQs
This project brings together staff from Engineering, Transportation, and the DDA. Engineering will be installing a new water main and resurface Division from Catherine to the south end of the Broadway Bridge in 2027. Both the DDA and Transportation have bikeway segments planned in the same area as Engineering’s work, and this project brings together two bikeway segments that complete the route over the Broadway Bridge. By working together on these bikeway segments and utility projects, staff can ensure the projects connect seamlessly and will be constructed simultaneously. Collaboration increases overall efficiency and reduces the amount of time the road is under construction.
This effort implements recommendations that were shaped through prior engagement processes. More details can be found on the Project History tab.
- The conceptual design for the Division Bikeway Extension was created through the Downtown Area Circulation Study.
- The A2R2 Study informed how the existing Division Bikeway should connect to the Broadway Bridge and the north side.
- The DDA People-Friendly Streets initiative engaged the public to get feedback on bike infrastructure throughout downtown.
- All past planning efforts are consistent with the direction established through the City's Moving Together Transportation Plan. This phase is an opportunity to fine-tune the Bikeway design and advance the project toward implementation, in alignment with City policy priorities.
The corridor includes a 150-year-old watermain. The bikeway effort is being coordinated with road resurfacing and water main replacement, to minimize the length of time the road will be under construction.
Today, the Division Street Bikeway ends at Catherine Street, leaving people who need to get to and from the northside without a connection to the Broadway Bridge. The Broadway interchange has frequently been noted as an area of concern due to its complicated layout and limited sight lines, which impact safety and access.
Separated bike lanes improve safety outcomes for all people using the street. Installing a separated bike lane on Division will help slow speeds and enhance safety and comfort for all people using the corridor, including people walking and biking. This is especially important near the schools and places of worship along the corridor, including two schools, St. Andrews Church, and St. Thomas Church.
With 22 miles of bike lanes already in place on the north side of town, this project helps connect the north to downtown and greater Ann Arbor. Additionally, this project will help protect children, families, and students traveling to/from the Argo Cascades, a key non-motorized recreation destination.
Street Closure Information
There are no street closures for this project until construction begins in 2027.
Project Materials and History
Project History
Moving Together Towards Vision Zero Comprehensive Transportation Plan
In 2021, the City of Ann Arbor adopted the Moving Together Towards Vision Zero Comprehensive Transportation Plan, which is organized around achieving two big goals:
- Vision Zero – No one dies or is seriously injured on Ann Arbor’s streets
- Carbon Neutrality – through reduced car dependence and electrification
In pursuit of these goals, the City recognizes that:
- Vehicle speed is a major factor for how likely and how severe a traffic crash will be
- People walking and cycling make up an outsized proportion of severe crashes
- People need to feel confident and capable to move outside of a large vehicle
The DDA’s People-Friendly Streets (PFS) initiative began in 2018 – prioritizing people, placemaking, and resilience. This project will support these goals by providing safe and inclusive infrastructure.
Downtown Area Circulation Study
The Downtown Area Circulation Study was a collaboration between the DDA and City Transportation. The study involved multiple rounds of public engagement, which helped inform the priorities for future capital improvements in the downtown area. The conceptual design for this project was prepared as part of the Circulation Study.
