Visclosky Announces Funding for Portage Trail Link

Washington, D.C.  – Congressman Pete Visclosky today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation had released $961,568 in funding for the Central Business District Trail Link.  The funding will help the City of Portage extend the Prairie-Duneland Trail through downtown Portage and link it with the Iron Horse Heritage Trail.

Visclosky, who secured the funding in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 Transportation Appropriations bill, says the planned trail link will benefit both the City of Portage and the entire region.  The downtown portion of this trail will be available for use by Portage commuters traveling to public transportation sites in the downtown area.  The project will also fill a missing link in the Northwest Indiana Regional Bikeways Plan, which calls for a biking and hiking trail that will stretch 40 miles from Hammond to Michigan City.

“This new trail will make it easier for Portage residents to use alternate transportation sources,” Visclosky said.  “With the continued increase in automobile traffic, anything that encourages the use of public resources improves the overall transportation picture in Northwest Indiana.”

Portage Mayor Douglas Olson thanked Visclosky for his support of the project.

“Congressman Visclosky has done it once again,” Olson said.  “He has helped our community with its growth and development by coming through with this piece of the puzzle.  I am grateful to the Congressman for his work on this project.”