Longtime, overdue Mt. Vernon sidewalk improvements open for bid

Walkway update may finish by next fall, Hickory Street sidewalk deterioration will get much needed replacement with grant help
 
The city of Mt. Vernon has opened up bidding on its long awaited sidewalk update.
The project, planned since 2022, has begun to move with a total cost estimated at $500,000 by time of completion.
The sidewalks along Hickory Street have been in poor condition for some time now. According to City Administrator Robert Harrington, the sidewalks were targeted as a Safe Routes to School project, a federal program that locates areas that kids often need to travel to get to school safely, be that by bike, on foot or otherwise. Harrington said that, because of this, the new sidewalks must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which makes the sidewalk accessible for everyone who could happen to use them. In order to be ADA compliant, the new sidewalks should be no less than six feet wide, though wider is preferred, and also have stipulations for the slope of the sidewalk. Harrington also said that the sidewalks are in need of updating because of natural weathering and wear.
“After many years of freezing and thawing of the ground the growth of vegetation, mainly trees and other items, these sidewalks become weak and begin to become a liability,” he said.
TAP grant employed
To replace the sidewalks, the city is going to be calling upon a Transportation Alternative Project grant from the state of Missouri. This grant is expected to cover about 80 percent of the total cost, which Harrington expects to be $456,727.18. The final 20 percent has been budgeted by the city and is likely sitting in the bank, said Harrington.
Began in 2022
Originally discussed in 2022, the sidewalk project has been a long time coming for residents of the Lawrence County seat. In July of that year, the city board of aldermen applied for the TAP grants that would make the project possible, with former city administrator Joe Kelley estimating that the sidewalks would cost the city about $100,000 for every city block.  
Project timeline
The project is expected to be complete this coming autumn, but Harrington said that much of the timeline is still unsure and that a more concrete estimate  will come soon, as the city has a pre-construction meeting in early January.
The goal of this project, said Harrington, is to give citizens a safe alternative travel method between the city’s center and the west side.
“With the county and city administration buildings located in the town square, there needs to be better modes of transportation to this area,” said Harrington.