Moscow to construct new sidewalks along Polk Street this summer
The City of Moscow will construct a sidewalk and curb on North Polk Street this summer.
The new sidewalk will run from E Street on the west side of Polk Street and connect with an existing sidewalk at Rodeo Drive.
“This corridor is highly used by people,” said Scott Bontrager, assistant city engineer. “Right now, people just have to walk on the shoulder of the road.”
Wayne Krauss, Councilmember
The amount of foot traffic has increased in the area because of the new apartment buildings and business development, City Councilman Wayne Krauss said. He said it was important to him to build a sidewalk along Polk Street.
At first, Krauss only wanted a sidewalk in front of the city shop, which is located on Polk Street. But federal funding was found to have a sidewalk connecting E Street to Rodeo Drive.
The project will cost $300,000, Bontrager said. Most of the funding comes from the federal government, with the city having to pay about $28,000 because matching grants is part of the city budget.
“(The council) always puts money in capital improvements in order to match grants,” Krauss said.
Although the area is ready for construction to begin, Bontrager said Moscow will hire a private contractor, because the city does not have a workforce to handle a project of this size. Project bidding will begin within the month and construction is expected to begin in July, Bontrager said.
The project will also create a gutter system, which will collect storm water, Bontrager said.
“Everything will be captured and placed into the existing storm drain system,” he said.
Krauss does not foresee any complications with the project and believes it is a solid improvement for the area.
“It’s going to be a great project,” Krauss said. “It will be a positive improvement for the pedestrian traffic on Polk.”
The city requires developers to build sidewalks as part of construction development, but some areas were developed before the requirement was put in place, Krauss said.
Krauss said he believes it is the responsibility of the city to build sidewalks in areas where there is already development and no sidewalks.
“In my opinion, it is the right thing to do,” Krauss said.
Krauss said he encourages citizens to look out for areas that could use improvement and bring it to the attention of the city council.
“You folks are the ones who travel around Moscow,” Krauss said. “You can be the eyes for the council.”
Graham Perednia can be reached at [email protected]