The City of South Bend has secured federal funding to make improvements to sidewalks near Kennedy Primary Academy and Muessel Elementary School. Construction is now underway with an anticipated completion date of mid-August.

The City has contracted with both Rieth-Riley Construction Company and Milestone Contractors North to reconstruct approximately 3.25 miles of sidewalk and 60 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) curb ramps near the schools. The project is estimated to cost $3 million. Eighty percent of the cost will be covered by the grant with local funds making up the other 20 percent.

The City has applied for and received the federally funded grant through Safe Routes to School, a national program that aims to make it safer and easier for students to walk and bike to school. Previous grants have funded sidewalk and curb reconstruction near the following local schools: Coquillard Primary Center, Harrison Primary Center, LaSalle Intermediate Academy, Lincoln Elementary School, Marquette Primary Montessori Academy, Monroe Elementary School, Perley Fine Arts Academy and Studebaker School.

Residents are advised to only use sidewalks that are open and not walk through construction zones or closed sidewalk areas. Street and sidewalk closures will be posted throughout the project area.