By ANNALISE FRANK in Crain's Detroit

The city of Detroit is starting to build a $4.9 million greenway and bike path that will draw a 1.2-mile line to the riverfront.

Construction on the previously announced Joseph Campau Greenway begins as Detroit seeks to connect more areas of the city to its RiverWalk. The popular pedestrian track along the Detroit River is part of a waterside district that's being converted over the years from industrial to public recreational use.

The latest trail will stretch from the intersection of East Vernor Highway and Joseph Campau Avenue on Detroit east side to the riverfront. It requires building new paths and updating existing ones that are marred by broken concrete, flooding and other issues, a city news release said.

The project cost also includes improving recreation areas and pedestrian road crossings along the route; adding benches, cameras, emergency call boxes, mile markers and more lighting; separating the path from residences using landscaping; and installing green stormwater infrastructure to cope with the flooding.

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