HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-09 Work begins on Riverside Trail for 2009 completion
Office of the Mayor
NEWS RELEASE
March 4, 2009
9:30 a.m.
Work begins on Riverside Trail for 2009 completion
Contact:
Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-
1564, or Carl Littrell, City Engineer, 235-9251
Crews are mobilizing this week to complete the final phase of construction for the City of
South Bend’s popular Riverside Trail, which will extend the trail north from Oakwood
Boulevard to the Old Darden Road pedestrian bridge.
The Indiana Department of Transportation awarded the construction contract for the final
phase to Selge Construction Co. Inc. The Niles, Mich., company was the low bidder on
the project with a bid of $1,657,988.56 – about $200,000 less than estimated costs by
engineers for INDOT’s LaPorte District.
“I am looking forward to building the trail this spring and summer,” said City Engineer
Carl Littrell. “Walking the completed project will be a joy.”
The new 1.63-mile segment will bring the total length of the trail to 3.2 miles from its
starting point at the corner of Angela Boulevard and Riverside Drive.
“The first phase of Riverside Trail has been a huge success. It is treasured by walkers and
bike riders, and it presents beautiful vistas of the St. Joseph River to families with
strollers and individuals in wheelchairs,” said Mayor Stephen J. Luecke. “Neighbors who
initially had doubts about this trail are among its biggest supporters. Phase 2 will
encourage even more residents to enjoy the natural beauty of South Bend.”
Phase 1 of the Riverside Trail officially opened July 17, 2007, with final landscaping
work completed last fall. The first phase of the Riverside Trail cost $1.79 million to build
a 9,225-foot long and 10-foot wide path.
Through the Michiana Area Council of Governments, the project will receive $1.52
million in federal funds by means of a grant from the U.S. Department of
Transportation’s Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A
Legacy for Users” or SAFETEA-LU.) The funds are from both the Transportation
Enhancement program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program. Another
$320,000 was appropriated by the South Bend Common Council from the City’s general
fund for the 20 percent local match.
In Phase 2, the trail will continue north from Woodland Park in a section that is lower
than the street, separated by a retention wall. A crosswalk will connect the trail with
Pinhook Park, and an overlook is planned just south of the park. The trail will continue
along Riverside Drive, rather than the river, because of the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
After passing under the Indiana Toll Road and crossing Cleveland Road, Riverside Trail
will have another overlook north of Cleveland, before connecting with the boat launch
and the Old Darden Road bridge.
The City of South Bend’s commitment to a dedicated walking and bicycle trails along the
St. Joseph River began in the 1970s. Completion of the entire Riverside Trail segment
will bring the total trail system to more than 11 miles in length.
Luecke issued a directive in his 2007 State of the City address to design a riverwalk
system from Logan Street to Darden Road in the first five years of City Plan
implementation. The Riverside Trail represents a portion of an emerging South Bend
bicycle network, which includes more than 88 miles of proposed bicycle lanes, routes and
multipurpose paths. For more information, visit the City’s web site:
www.SouthBendIN.gov/bike
- 30 -