Berrien County is receiving a little more in grant funding to help support development of the Lakeview Trail along M-63.
The paved Lakeview Trail is planned along M-63 between Higman Park Road and Monte Road, near the Whirlpool headquarters. At a meeting this week, the Berrien County Board of Commissioners formally accepted a revised Transportation Alternatives Program grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation to support the trail’s construction.
Last year, the county was awarded a $2.1 million TAP grant for the work, but project construction bids have come in $270,000 higher than expected. Therefore, MDOT has authorized an increase in the grant, bringing it to $2.3 million. But that also increased the local match requirement from $527,000 to $581,000. The resolution approved by commissioners notes that Cornerstone Alliance has agreed to cover that $54,000 gap. Additionally, the county has secured a $300,000 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant and a $100,000 contribution from the Michigan Trails Fund. Therefore, no county funds are going into this project.
Commissioners on Thursday accepted the increased TAP Grant to pay for trail construction.
