HUNTERTOWN - Spending a little extra money to help unite the Town of Huntertown was worth it to the Huntertown Town Council.

The Council voted unanimously last Tuesday night to approve an asphalt sidewalk project for the south side of Gump Road.

The 8-feet asphalt trails will cost the town just shy of $662,000, and are $18,340 more expensive than the 5-feet concrete sidewalks originally designed for the project.

Not wanting to see a “sidewalk that goes to nowhere,” Town Council member Dave Rudolph re-introduced a potential plan for a sidewalk overpass at the intersection of Gump Road and State Road 3 as a way to “connect the two hands of Huntertown.”

“We want people on the east side of State Road 3 to have easier access to the businesses on the west side of three,” Rudolph said.“It’s a natural progression of finishing off Huntertown per our comprehensive plan.”

The Town Council discussed a similar plan for both an overpass and an underpass at Gump and State Road 3 back in 2000, but plans fizzled out.

Prior to the vote, Town Engineer Andy Dodzik with DLZ told the Council that having trail-like walks instead of regular sidewalks may help with funding for a walking bridge or overpass.

The Project is 80 percent covered by Federal Aid with the Town of Huntertown and Allen County splitting the remaining 20 percent. Allen County will pay $1,229,020 for their part, an increase of $34,060 from the concrete sidewalk project. There will be no sidewalks put in on the north side of Gump Road.

Council member Jim Fortman asked for prices on a concrete sidewalk at 8-feet wide, but Allen County Highway Department Director Bill Hartman expressed his desire for asphalt over concrete.

“True pathway folks would rather see asphalt than concrete,” stated Hartman.“Asphalt is easier on the knees and ankles.”

Asphalt’s ability to be patched quicker was also a selling point. According to Hartman, the Rivergreenway has been in use for 30 years in Allen County and is just now starting to need resurfacing.

Construction should be complete in 2011.

Hartman estimated a two or three year window to see where funds were for a walking bridge or overpass.