Berrien Commissioners Signal Support For Trail Project

woods6-16
woods6-16

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has given the green light to the Berrien County Road Department to seek a $1.5 million grant for a trail project near New Buffalo. County Administrator Bill Wolf tells WSJM News the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission is working with the city of New Buffalo, New Buffalo Township, the Pokagon Fund, and others as it seeks the Transportation Alternative Program grant.

“This is the Marquette Greenway non-motorized trail, which basically goes from the Indiana line to the south side of New Buffalo,” Wolf said. “The grant is being prepared by the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, but as a fiduciary for the Transportation Assistance Program, it has to go through the Berrien County Road Department.”

The county board’s action on Thursday allows the road department to seek the grant. The overall Marquette Greenway trail would cost about $2.6 million. Local groups have pledged a match of more than $1 million. The trail would start in Chicago, go along Lake Michigan to Indiana, and then stretch into New Buffalo. Meanwhile, the Berrien County Parks Department is working on plans to have a trail along Red Arrow Highway from Bridgman to New Buffalo.