The Niles Township Board of Trustees has chosen Wightman & Associates, of Benton Harbor, to complete a preliminary design of the second phase of the River Valley Trail project in Niles Township.

The second phase would connect the multi-use, non-motorized trail from the Brandywine Creek Nature Park to the City of Niles’ trail.

Treasurer Jim Ringler said a preliminary design is necessary in order to apply for state funding for the project.

“It will show the proposed path and they will attach estimated dollar amounts,” he said.

The township, Ringler said, plans to apply for a pair of grants through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Department of Transportation. The deadline for applying is April 1.

If the township is awarded the grants, Ringler said construction would begin in 2016. If the grants are not awarded, the township would reapply for them next year.

The township used state grants to pay for the first phase of the project, which was completed in the summer of 2014. That 3.3-mile portion of the trail extends from the Michigan/Indiana state line to Brandywine Creek Nature Park.

The first phase cost approximately $842,000. State funding covered all but $141,000. The township ended up paying about $25,000.

When finished, the River Valley Trail will connect Niles to Mishawaka, Indiana, with 23-miles of recreational trails. Portions remain to be finished in Niles Township and in Indiana.