FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): A design firm has signed a contract with the city of Fort Wayne to start work on a proposed sidewalk project near Waynedale.

According to the Journal Gazette, VS Engineering will design 1.5 miles of trails and walkways along Bluffton Road, extending from Lower Huntington Road to Winchester Road.

The trails are part of the Walk Fort Wayne Plan and will connect to the Rivergreenway at West Foster Park.

Waynedale residents have been pushing the initiative for a few years. The last phase of construction will begin in 2017.