POULTNEY — A new Safe Roads to School sidewalk project adjacent to the high school baseball field will make it safer for pedestrians by keeping them from walking on the road.

The proposed 300-foot concrete sidewalk along the south side of East Main Street/ Route 140 is the missing link of sidewalk between the entire length of Main and College streets and East Poultney On-The-Green.

The six-foot wide sidewalk with curbing is expected to be constructed within the next month to month and a half, according to town manager Jonas Rosenthal.

“Presently, people walk behind cars and into the road,” he said. “We are building it out and having the sidewalk in front of the cars.”

The project will also create storm drainage, parking lot paving and a 100-foot retaining wall to ensure that there is no erosion in the area. It is estimated to cost about $133,000.

Rosenthal said they had hoped to go out to bid on the project last year to begin construction when school was out in June, but because of delays last year due to Tropical Storm Irene they had to wait.

Construction bids are due on Sept. 4 and will be awarded soon after. As of Tuesday afternoon, at least three companies had purchased the project blueprints.
Sidewalk construction needs to be completed by Oct. 19 with final completion of remaining work by Nov. 2.

For the complete story, see Thursday's edition of the Rutland Herald.