SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The City of South Bend awarded a bid to Milestone Contractors North, LLC to start the first phase of a trail and streetscape project along Hill Street, South Bend Avenue, and Notre Dame Avenue.

The project is funded by the South Bend, Hotel-Motel Tax Board via Visit South Bend Mishawaka, and the University of Notre Dame.

Officials say the aim of the trail is to strengthen the physical connection between South Bend and the University of Notre Dame.

"Strengthening the connection between these economic centers will help our city grow and create a more livable South Bend for residents and outside visitors," said Mayor James Mueller. "I am grateful for the partnership with the University of Notre Dame and the Hotel-Motel Tax Board that helped to build this new trail."

The trail will begin in the plaza on the corner of LaSalle Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Boulevard. It will go east on LaSalle Avenue, north on Hill Street, then northeast on South Bend Avenue to join Notre Dame Avenue.

City officials say at the Angela Boulevard and Notre Dame Avenue intersection, users can continue to the University of Notre Dame campus or join the multiuse path along Angela Boulevard.

Angela Boulevard will see traffic calming and pedestrian safety measures this summer as part of a separate project.

Included in the trail and streetscape project is the replacement of curbs and sidewalks along the route, bumpouts, raised intersections at key locations, street paving, underground utility work, decorative street lighting, trees and landscaping.

The city says the project aims to promote safety for all modes of travel, calm traffic, and improve infrastructure.

Construction on the first phase of the project, which includes Notre Dame Avenue from South Bend Avenue to Angela Boulevard, is expected to start by mid-April with an estimated completion date of early September, weather permitting.

The second phase, which includes South Bend Avenue from Notre Dame Avenue to Hill Street and Hill Street from South Bend Avenue to LaSalle Avenue, is still in the bidding phase. Construction is expected to start in May and be completed by mid-October, weather permitting.