July 2, 2024
Starting Monday, July 8, construction is set to begin on the federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) project, adjacent to Our Lady of Hungary School located on the corner of Calvert and Chapin Streets in South Bend. The project will consist of repairing damaged sidewalk, installing new sidewalk, and constructing ADA compliant curb ramps in the areas surrounding the school. Construction will occur in various locations bounded by Ewing to the south, Calvert to the north, Taylor to the east, and Kemble to the west.
Funded by the United States Department of Transportation, Safe Routes to Schools provides funding to local communities to improve walking and bicycling infrastructure to encourage these activities around schools. South Bend was awarded the $650,000 grant through the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) in 2022 or 90% of the funds for the project. The other 10% or local match was South Bend’s responsibility to fund. Other SRTS projects in South Bend within the past few years have included Coquillard Primary School and Harrison Primary School, both constructed in 2016.
The bid for the project was awarded to Rieth-Riley Construction Company, Inc. and work is expected to be completed by early August, weather permitting.