Niles leaders must sign off on expansion of 2-state trail

NILES, Mich. -- Planning is underway for the first paved trail to cross the Michigan-Indiana state line. If all goes to plan, the 34 mile trail would go from Plym Park to Mishawaka.

Two grants will fund the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail expansion, but Niles Township still must vote on it.

"It’s under different jurisdictions and lots of different challenges,” said Marcy Colclough, Southwest Michigan Planning Commission.

Colclough has been helping with the project since she started with the group in 1998

Next week, the Niles township board of seven members will vote on whether or not to approve the plans to move forward with hiring an engineer.

Cindy Catdaldo, owner of Massimo’s Pizzeria, would like to see the trail connect.

"That's an important part of the trail to connect us to Indiana, which would be wonderful. It would be nice to get everybody here,” said Catdaldo.

According to Colclough, the one roadblock in the discussions have been over a crosswalk at the intersection of US12 and Third Street where the trail would cross.

There's been concern with the safety but some say you have to cross somewhere.

"There’s always going to be roads you have to cross and we just need to have this happen and everybody be smart and be careful-and use it,” said Catdaldo.

The meeting is next Monday.