The city of Valparaiso is looking to tap into state funding to expand its bike path network.
A path along the south side of Harrison Boulevard from Campbell west to Yellowstone has been in the works for years. Last week, the board of works agreed to let the city apply for $400,000 from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to help with the cost.
Resident Carla Miller said she isn't opposed to pathways and sidewalks, but she'd rather not have an asphalt trail eat into her front yard. "The pathway for the Harrison Boulevard cuts into the front yards of several homes. My husband and I just spent nearly $4,000 to landscape the front of our lawn just last year," Miller told board members.
She seemed more open to the idea of a concrete pathway. City engineers said it would be more expensive, but they'd be willing to discuss it during the design process. Using asphalt, the total cost of the project is estimated to be about $600,000. If the funding is approved, construction could begin this fall or in early 2024.
The board of works also selected Milestone Contractors North to complete this year's package of sidewalk projects for a cost of just over $368,229.
