VERNON, Conn. — Vernon’s latest sidewalk improvement project is scheduled to begin next week.
The $400,000 project aims to improve pedestrian movement and safety in downtown Vernon and is the latest step in an ongoing program that is using both local tax dollars and grant funding to improve sidewalks, the town said.
The work that will begin next week includes sidewalk and ramp improvements, new crosswalk markings, driveway aprons and signs that will make pedestrian and bicycle travel easier, according to Town Engineer David Smith.
Work will be completed on West Main Street, Vernon Avenue, Linden Street, Court Street and Brooklyn Street.
Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said that the project marks another important step forward in the ongoing sidewalk enhancement program, which is designed to make the community safer and easier to traverse for pedestrians and individuals who use mobility devices such as wheelchairs and scooters.
“We worked hard to obtain this grant, and in combination with local tax dollars we have allocated and additional grants we are seeking, we will continue this improvement work on sidewalks throughout Vernon,” Champagne said.
The town said the project’s current phase is funded through the Community Connectivity Grant Program administered by the state Department of Transportation.
Smith said the Community Connectivity Grant Program was created to help towns improve ease of movement and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists through downtown centers.
“We applied for this grant with the idea that downtown Rockville has a lot of people traveling through it, and we wanted to make it safer and easier for people to get around,” Smith said.
Smith added that sidewalk ramps required for Americans with Disability Act compliance will be modified or added. Some sections of the sidewalk will be replaced altogether.
The work will be performed by Detour Construction, LLC of Ludlow, Mass. Tighe & Bond of Shelton created the design for the project.
Work is expected to be done by the end of November. Smith said the work is not expected to affect traffic, although residents and business owners may need to assist the contractor by parking vehicles outside of active work areas.
Additional details can be found here.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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