The City of Early will receive 1.64 miles of new concrete sidewalks after the city submitted an application to the Texas Department of Transportation 2021 Transportation Alternatives Set Aside. In January of this year, TxDOT issued a call for projects for communities to apply for funding assistance through the TA Program. On June 8th 2021, Early City Administrator Tony Aaron brought forward a resolution supporting the application to the City Council and after consideration from the Council, the resolution was passed and the application was submitted.
On November 1st 2021, the City of Early received confirmation that the city was awarded a grant for $870,948 for the construction of several sidewalks to be constructed throughout the city. In total, the city will see 1.64 miles or 8,638 feet of new sidewalks that will aid in the safety of pedestrians in transit.
“Projects like these are vital to increasing the safety of communities. As our city grows, naturally we will see an increase in pedestrian traffic and with adequate sidewalks, especially in some areas with higher traffic, it will make it safer for those who decide to walk or bike on these pathways along our roads.” said City Administrator Tony Aaron.
The locations where you can expect to see the construction of new sidewalks are: 580 feet of Orchard Dr. stretching from Early Blvd. to the T-intersection of Orchard Dr. Oak Dr. will see 2,165 feet of sidewalks from the Early Ballparks to Early Blvd and down to Family Dollar. Longhorn Drive will see the largest installment of sidewalks of 4,013 feet stretching from Early Blvd. to W Industrial. And W Industrial will also see 1,848 feet stretching from Longhorn Dr. to Early Blvd and down to Sudderth. Lastly, McCullough will receive 32 feet of sidewalk that will connect the two parking lots of the Breezeway Apartments.
These sidewalks will be 5 foot wide and will come with adequate lighting, pedestrian signals, curb ramps and crosswalks all of which will aid in the effort to #EndTheStreakTX. You might find yourself asking what that hashtag is referring to. Well, November 7 of this year will mark 21 straight years of daily deaths on Texas Roadways. The trending hashtag is an effort brought on by TxDOT to help pedestrians and drivers to make smarter choices while on the road.
The cost of this project is $870,948 and 100% of it is Federally funded with no local match required. Meaning that this will not cost the City’s tax payers anything.
“This campaign by the Texas Department of Transportation is a great display of the awareness of the needs that several towns around the state have. One of those being the need for things like sidewalks, lighting, ramps. We are excited to have been selected for this project and are glad that we are able to take one more step toward increasing the quality of life to our citizens.” Said Tony Aaron.
This project will be ongoing for just under two years. Planning is already underway and will continue through the end of the year where project designs will begin along with preparation. Around 2023 is when citizen can expect to start seeing construction around the city. The project is planned for completion in 2024.