HomeMy WebLinkAbout4A2 Budget Request (Marion Pedestrian Bridge & Trail Connections) - SignedSouth Bend
Redevelopment Commission
215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Room 301, South Bend, Indiana
Redevelopment Commission Agenda Item
DAT E : February 26, 2026
FROM: Leslie Biek, PE
Assistant City Engineer
SUBJECT: Budget Request- Marion Pedestrian Bridge
and Trail Connections
PN 123-060; PROJ 450
Funding Source* (circle) River West; River East; South Side; Douglas Road; West Washington; RDC General; Riv. East Res.
*Funds are subject to the City Controller's determination of availability; if funds are unavailable, as solely determined by the City Controller,
then the authorization of the expenditure of such funds shall be void and of no effect.
PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
This budget request is for $3,600,000 of additional funds for the Marion St Pedestrian Bridge and Trail
Connections.
SPECIFICS:
As part of its implementation of the South Bend Riverfront Parks and Trails Framework, Near Northwest
Neighborhood Plan, Northeast Neighborhood Plan, and the forthcoming Downtown South Bend 2045 Plan,
the City of South Bend proposes constructing a new pedestrian bridge over the St. Joseph River at Marion
Street, together with links on both banks to connect it to the city’s broader trail network.
The Marion Pedestrian Bridge is a new pedestrian path connecting Marion Street on the west side of the
St. Joseph River and the East Bank Trail on the east side of the river. The bridge will have two spans and
one concrete cylindrical column, placed in the middle of the river. The outside railing style will be steel
capstone truss. There will be handrail lighting similar to the newly rehabilitated Coal Line Trail pedestrian
bridge. Construction for the pedestrian bridge is expected to begin late summer and be completed spring
of 2027. The Marion Pedestrian Bridge is estimated to be $4,350,000.
On the west bank, a trail on the south side of Marion St. is proposed to connect the bridge to Michigan St.
As part of the work, Marion St. will receive new curb and be repaved. The project is expected to bid late
spring with construction in the summer and fall. The Marion Trail project is estimated to be $580,000.
On the east bank, a trail on the south side of Madison St. is proposed to connect the bridge and the East
Bank Trail to the newly constructed Link Trail along Hill St. Also included in the project are bumpouts, ADA
curb ramp improvements, and decorative lighting. The project will start late spring and will be completed
this fall. The Madison Connector Trail project is estimated to be $900,000.
The estimates for these three projects total $5,830,000. The Marion Pedestrian Bridge previously received
$3,000,000 in River West Bond funding. Following engineering design, there is currently $2,230,000 in
funding remaining to be used. It is requested the Redevelopment Commission approve $3,600,000 from
River East Residential TIF for the Marion Pedestrian bridge and Trail projects.
______________ ___________Pres/V-Pres
ATTEST: __________ ________Secretary
Date: _____________ _______
APPROVED Not Approved
SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
February 26, 2026