The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has taken new steps to make way for the new M-63 Corridor Lakeview Trail, a paved trail planned along M-63 between Higman Park Road and Monte Road, near the Whirlpool headquarters.
At a Thursday meeting, the board approved a resolution accepting a project agreement for the trail so the county can receive a $2.1 million state Transportation Alternatives Program grant. County Administrator Brian Dissette tells us this new trail will connect to points throughout St. Joseph and Benton Harbor.
“Once completed, we will have the start of a designated trail along M63 or Blue Star that would be separate of the vehicle traffic,” Dissette said. “As you look out into the future, I believe that there is a goal to have greater connectivity across the county. This would be one of those big first projects that would connect some of the northern portion of the county.”
Harbor Shores has agreed to be responsible for maintenance of the trail, something outlined in the project agreement approved by commissioners.
In addition to the TAP funding, the county has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Michigan Trails Fund. That grant agreement was also approved this week by commissioners.
