The Winona City Council Monday approved a grant application for 50% of the cost for a $9.5 million Louisa Street Extension and Bike Path project.
       
Director of Economic Development, Lucy McMartin, says the project is much needed and the bike path would lead to the Middle School and Southeast Technical College.  McMartin says the bike path, which would be constructed under Highway 61, would be a much safer route to the two schools than the current one.

Traffic has increased on Highway 61 and Highway 43 each of the last three years.  The proposed project would provide access from Highway 61 to Louisa Street, which would allow east access to retail and industrial land.
       
The grant application is for just over $4.7 million and the rest would be paid for by bonding.