SOUTH BEND — The number of miles of bike paths in South Bend is growing, but some are wondering about a stretch that's not been finished.

Patricia Myers of South Bend asked, "Do you have any idea when work will continue on the Riverside Drive river walk and bike trails? We are anxiously waiting."

By next year, South Bend expects to have more of a nice thing for walkers, bikers and runners.

Bike paths will connect IU South Bend in the south to Darden Road in the north. But right now one important stretch is still missing.

The first phase of the Riverside Trail is between Angela and Oakwood — the 1.75 mile path was finished last year.

The next phase of the Riverside Trail will go just over 1.6 miles and connect Oakwood to Darden. City Engineer Carl Literel says some work will start this year but the trail won't be finished until next summer — likely late July or early August.

The reason the project has been delayed is because Indiana's Department of Transportation can distribute no more than $20 million worth of federal money for transportation enhancement across the state.

Many similar projects across Indiana came up at the same time. This new trail is 80 percent federally funded, the rest is local money.