A bridge reconstruction project in the county will get the financial support of Warsaw city officials who agreed Friday to fund half of the cost of a pedestrian path that is being installed as part of the project.

Warsaw’s Board of Public Works and Safety voted unanimously to fund $28,633 of the $169,050 project on what is known as Bridge 18, located on CR 300 North just east of Madison Elementary School. The reason the city has opted to be financially involved is because of the recently adopted Warsaw+Winona Bike+Walk master plan that calls for 87 miles of bike and pedestrian paths to be created throughout the county.

The B.O.W. agreed to the project due to new residential housing developments to the north. A 216-unit residential unit is being built just west of Sheldon Street on the south side of CR 300 North.

The county is planning to reconstruct the existing bridge over the Tippecanoe River to widen it and include the bicycle/pedestrian path. Work is expected to begin next year.

The interlocal agreement for the project goes before the county commissioners Tuesday for a final vote.

In other B.O.W. matters:

• Warsaw Police Department was given approval to apply for a grant through the U.S. Department of Justice to get bulletproof vests. The program will supply approximately seven vests at an approximate cost of $8,750, half of which will be reimbursed to the department.
• The Warsaw+Winona Bike+Walk program was given approval to apply for a Recreational Trails Program grant through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Division. The 80/20 grant could potentially provide $150,000 for the trails project, of which the city would be responsible for $30,000, a cost the planning committee hopes to raise through private donations and from cigarette tax funds.
• Staci Young of the Warsaw Parks Department noted she is still working to secure a headlining act for the Classic Rock Concert in Central Park. Blue Oyster Cult cancelled their appearance due to a scheduling conflict.