New sidewalks for South Street

Thanks to a $300,000 federal grant, there will be new sidewalks stretching between the Union Street School and the Springfield High School.
http://www.vermontjournal.com/content/new-sidewalks-south-street

New Sidewalks for South Street Submitted by admin on Tue, 02/18/2014 - 4:27pm By ANNE DEMPSEY The Shopper SPRINGFIELD, VT - Sidewalks are an important part of the landscape for children living in towns and cities across America. A quiet stretch of cement rectangles is often the preferred place for hopscotch, tic-tac-toe or jump rope. Sidewalks take kids places, whether to a friend’s house down the block, a local store or the nearest playground. For the older set in middle and high school, sidewalk conversations can offer elements of privacy. The space teen friends move through on a sidewalk is their own and no one else’s, if only for the string of moments that they take occupancy. Children and adults alike are much more willing to walk on sidewalks than they are the dusty shoulder of a road. The raised, even bed of cement is separated from vehicular traffic by thick granite curbing, which makes the pedestrian’s chances of being hit by a car or truck a lot less likely. Some traffic studies have shown that cars generally move more cautiously through stretches of road bordered by sidewalk. Come the fall of 2016, many more Springfield students may be walking to school. At least, that is the hope. Thanks to a $300,000 federal transportation grant awarded to the town of Springfield, there will be new sidewalks, stretching the length of South St., between the Union Street School and the Springfield High School. Construction should start as soon as school ends in June of 2015. Most of the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) federal funds granted to Vermont (over $2 million) will be spent on similar types of projects across the state. Gov. Shumlin stated, when referring to TAP, ”Modern, safe and accessible transportation networks support jobs, economic development and healthy...communities.” Municipalities agree to pay for all costs related to projects, initially. After the project is completed, TAP funds will reimburse towns (or cities) 80% of the project’s total cost. A 20% local match for design and construction is required to receive this kind of a grant. Springfield’s South St. sidewalk projected cost is $406,000, with the town contributing $106,000 (20%) and TAP contributing $300,000 (80%). In addition, Springfield was granted $15,000 for a scope study for sidewalks and crosswalks around the Elm Street Primary School. This project needs further research and planning, primarily because of a retaining wall along the proposed sidewalk route. TAP scope studies require a 50% match from municipalities. This study’s total cost will be $30,000, with $15,000 coming from TAP and $15,000 coming from the town. At this time, there is not a projected completion date for this study.