New Sidewalks Planned for East Area Neighborhood

A project to add new sidewalks and handicap ramps on the neighborhood east of the Downtown area is in the final planning stages.

It's the town's third major sidewalk construction project in the last couple of years. Town officials say it will improve pedestrian safety and provide better access for residents to the downtown area.

The "East Area Neighborhood S/W Improvement Project" calls for 5,032-linear-feet of new sidewalk construction and 17 H/C ramps. It will be funded with mostly federal and state money with a modest local match.

"The sidewalk construction will provide safe pedestrian access to the basic services provided in the downtown business area," according to the project submittal report. "There are currently no sidewalks servicing this residential area which was mostly constructed prior to adoption of contemporary development standards which require them. Additionally, there are a significant number of older citizens in this area that would benefit from improved pedestrian access to downtown."

Streets involved in the project include John, Compton, East Horne and South Smith.

Construction is expected to begin sometime next year.