Greensburg Daily News, Greensburg, IN

News

November 17, 2009

INDOT Grant Puts Greensburg On The Right Path

Elizabeth Bailey

Cooperation between Decatur County and the City of Greensburg enabled the approval of a $745,000 transportation enhancement grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT).

The grant, which funds up to 80 percent of a project, was approved for the first phase of the Decatur County Multi-Use Path. This project has been spearheaded by the Recreation and Fitness Path Committee since 2006.

“The city of Greensburg is only three miles across, but people feel like they need to get in the car to cross it,” committee member Bob Dawson noted.

The path is intended to serve as a route for alternative transportation, whether that is walking, running, biking or rollerblading. The first phase will connect the Greensburg Public Library to A2Z Occasions, enabling area residents to have a safe path for travel or recreation across the two-mile span between.

Transportation enhancement grants are not a quick process, committee member Bryan Robbins explained. Funds will not be available for reimbursement until 2013. However, the approval of the grant enables the project to continue moving forward.

“This will happen,” Dawson said.

The commissioners thanked the committee for their hard work and thanked Greensburg Mayor Gary Herbert for the city’s cooperation in the project.

“The city looks forward to working with the county again in the future,” Herbert said. “Working together gives us a better chance at opportunities like this.”

Dawson also shared his appreciation.

“Without the partnership of the city and county as well as letters of support from Cleo Duncan and others, this wouldn’t have been possible,” he said.

Committee member Diane Hart-Dawson took time to explain the potential benefits of this project. As CEO of the Decatur County Family YMCA, she knows quite well the many benefits of regular exercise. With a path in place to allow area residents to safely propel themselves across the city, there will be one more opportunity for them to get healthier.

Dawson continued by noting that the initial phase will create demand for more paths to connect other parts of the city.

A Decatur County Community Foundation grant could provide the match money for the project, but the decision about that funding has not yet been made.

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