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County gives update on Lakeshore Trail; $3.33 million estimate, major grants in place, MDOT permits pending
Summary
Berrien County staff updated commissioners on the Lakeshore Trail connecting Higman Park to the Whirlpool campus, describing a roughly $3.33 million construction estimate, secured grant funding including a $2.1 million TAP award, remaining private donations fundraising and required MDOT permits before summer bidding.
Dan Feddy delivered a progress report to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners on April 3 on the Lakeshore Trail project, a planned accessible walkway and bike trail that will run along M-63 from Higman Park to the Whirlpool global headquarters.
Feddy described the project as part of a larger Harbor Shores-area trail network and said the current design, construction and site-restoration estimate is about $3,334,000, subject to final bids. He listed principal funding sources: a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant of $2,100,000; a $300,000 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant; a $100,000 Michigan Trails Foundation grant; approximately $92,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for design engineering through Cornerstone; a $55,000 CRP congestion-mitigation grant that will be applied directly to contractor costs; and approximately $690,000 in private donations the friends group is still raising.
Feddy said the county has acquired necessary easements from Harbor Shores and Whirlpool Corporation to route the trail around a steep elevation change near Higman Park and to avoid a steep climb directly to the highway. "The easement was necessary in order to create the kind of configuration where you weren't climbing a hill directly up onto the highway," Feddy said.
Feddy told the board the project is behind the original schedule by about four to five months because the county is still awaiting two state permits from the Michigan Department of Transportation. Once MDOT issues permits, bid letting will occur and construction could begin in late summer or early fall; design and permitting are otherwise complete. Feddy said the delay has provided additional time for fundraising.
Friends of Berrien County Trails are conducting private fundraising. Feddy noted an upcoming benefit dinner at the Inn at Harbor Shores (Sunday, 4–8 p.m.), where 50% of sales will be donated to the project, and a Patronicity crowdfunding campaign with MEDC matching donations up to $75,000. He said donations will be used for additional tree planting, reseeding and site restoration beyond the base construction scope.
Feddy answered public questions about access under M-63 and described existing pedestrian tunnels that allow users to reach both sides of the trail. He encouraged residents to visit berrientrails.org for project details and the Patronicity page to donate.
Feddy said construction activities observed by the public (tree cutting near Higman Park) are part of the initial site work and will include later restoration.
