Lincoln Charter Township officials are seeking additional funding for the planned South Roosevelt Shared Use Path after project bids came in higher than expected.

As WSJM has previously reported in April 2024, Congressman Tim Walberg helped Lincoln Township secure $1.5 million for the long-planned trail project. As recently as July 2025, the project’s cost was estimated at $1.8 million with federal funds covering the majority and the rest coming from Lincoln Township and to be handled by the Berrien County Road Department.

Township Manager Ralph Bansen told trustees Tuesday night at their regular meeting that the bid for the project was “considerably higher” than original estimates. Sources say the sole bid received is as much as $1 million higher than anticipated.

Bansen said the township is now working to identify supplemental funding sources in hopes of moving the project forward, adding that the township engineer is researching available funding options, which will be compiled and reviewed before next steps are taken.

The South Roosevelt Shared Use Path will run along South Roosevelt Road from Hidden Pines to Marquette Woods Road, with a bridge and boardwalk over Hickory Creek. The bridge portion of the project is the most expensive element, Bansen said, and rising construction costs have contributed to the higher bid.