The new sidewalk to be built next year on Lake Street will get a little longer, thanks to action taken by the City Council Tuesday night.

The council voted to seek a Safe Routes to School grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The city previously received a state Safe Routes to Schools grant to install 2,200 feet of sidewalks on the north side of the street leading east from Belle Alexander School. 

City officials had hoped the new money would pay for another 1,200 feet of sidewalks. But on Tuesday, City Manager Gary Bradley said the sidewalks would be extended as far as the new grant funds will pay for.

The hope had been to extend the sidewalks as far as Lakeland Terrace, but the grant funds being sought now wouldn’t take the walks nearly that far.

Bradley said the city can always apply for another Safe Routes to School grant, but not for two years.