GREENFIELD — Several streets near Greenfield High School will get new sidewalks to make it a safer walk for students thanks to a nearly $400,000 Complete Streets Funding Program grant the city has received.
Planning and Development Director Eric Twarog said the city was informed that it will receive $399,262 for the project. Greenfield will put the project out to bid.
The areas impacted include the south side of Cleveland Street from Chapman to Davis streets; the west side of Birch Street from Silver to Cleveland streets; the west side of Vernon Street from Silver to Norwood streets; the south side of Norwood from Birch to Federal streets; and the east side of Chapman Street from Silver to Norwood streets.
“We’re filling in the gaps on the west side of the high school,” Twarog said. “There will be 4,329 feet of new concrete sidewalk when the project is over. Those sidewalks will provide additional safety for kids walking to the high school.”
Twarog said the grant came from the state through the Department of Transportation’s Complete Streets Funding Program. He said cities and towns develop policies and priorities, and then apply for construction grants.
“We received $375,000 in the first round,” he said. “The maximum is $400,000.”
According to state guidelines, the grants are to be used to fund local multi-modal infrastructure projects that improve travel for bicyclists, pedestrians, public transit users and people using other forms of transportation. A “Complete Street” is one that enables safe, convenient and comfortable travel for users of all ages and abilities regardless of their mode of transportation.
“We’ll have to use this second-round money by Dec. 31, 2022,” Twarog continued. “This fall we’ll develop in-house plans, put the bid out next winter and begin construction in the spring of 2022.”
Twarog said the Department of Public Works will put the project out to bid and the city will soon begin the contracting process.
“We expect a notice to proceed from the state by late April or early May,” he said.
Twarog added that there’s one more project that needs to be finished from the first round of grants.
“The state gave us an extension, so we’ll have until the end of this year to finish that one,” he said.
The first grant covered a new sidewalk on Laurel Street from River Road to Buckley HealthCare Center; one on Allen Street; and one on Mill and River streets. The one to be completed by December includes a new sidewalk from the roundabout at Greenfield Community College to the intersection with Elm and Colrain streets. Bicycle lanes will also be painted after the DPW repaves the road, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant ramps will be installed.
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-9591 or afritz@recorder.com.