Page:Making Michigan Move.pdf/35

 The state provided funds to set up ridesharing offices in local com­munities and furnished help to private companies setting up vanpool programs. The department built more than 100 lots, mostly at high­way intersections, for free parking by carpoolers.

Aviation activities also gained ground, guided by the Michigan Aeronautics Commission, which was transferred to the department in the 1973 reorganization. The number of passengers boarding and deplaning at Michigan's 21 airports served by certificated airlines climbed to a record 14 million by 1980. The number of registered general aviation aircraft rose to 6,600 and airports totaled more than 300. Department personnel assisted local authorities in airport planning and development, establishment of air commuter services, efforts to preserve privately owned, public-use airports threatened by closure, particularly in urban areas, and a wide variety of safety and service operations.

Bike paths were established on widened shoulders or built separately along a number of state highways, including a 40-mile bikeway for the full route of I-275 Freeway west of Detroit.

Meanwhile, the commission and Woodford pushed ahead with the state's highway-building program, al­though it did not begin to match the pace of the 195O's and '60's. The freeway system reached the 1,700-mile mark. All but 50 miles of the 1,181-mile interstate system were