La PORTE — The first corridor of La Porte's trails and greenways master plan, a plan designed to create non-motorized pathways across the city, has been approved for funding and development.
During a meeting of the city of La Porte Board of Public Works and Safety, members voted unanimously (with member Clay Turner absent) to approve a shared-use corridor, called the Chessy Shared-Use Trail, from Kiwanis-Teledyne Park to Pine Lake Avenue, and funding for 20 percent of the project.
At the meeting, city planner Beth Shrader said 80 percent of the project will be covered by federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grants, with the city paying the rest. The city's portion amounts to roughly $365,000 of a $1.8 million project. Phase one of the project includes one and a half miles of trail.
Shrader said the path will connect three parks, two hotels, nine restaurants, a convenience store, grocery store, bank, pharmacy and NewPorte Landing for bicyclists and pedestrians in the city. Much of the trail will utilize the abandoned Chessy Railroad corridor.
Before the vote, La Porte Mayor Blair Milo said the project was important for the community.
"I think this is an important part of the initiative we discussed to diversify our transportation routes and increase the quality of life," she said.
She said quality of life improves economic development by attracting more businesses, and encouraging future generations to move to La Porte.
In unrelated matters, the city approved extensions for work on the McClung Road reconstruction project. It was noted that contractors have already completed the pavement up to the surface. Now they have to complete the striping, mailboxes and other necessities of the project.
The extensions will allow these portions to be completed on April 14 and 22 of 2015.