| The first phase of a long range plan to build sidewalks and green trails to link parts of North High Shoals began Monday August 23. Excavation started on the first 800 foot section of sidewalk that will connect the entrances of Hickory Lake Subdivision along Elder Road. The project, completely funded by SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) revenues, will also restore a cross walk that formally existed between Arborwood Ridge and Ridgefield Drive. The new cross walk will be located just north of Ridgefield Drive to allow for improved pedestrian visibility. The new sidewalk will comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards including the recommended width of 5 feet and having wheelchair ramps at all access points. The existing sidewalk on the other side of Elder Road (along the Hickory Ridge sub-division) will also have wheelchair ramps installed at the same time which will save the much higher expense of having it done as a separate project at a later date. This sidewalk is expected to be used regularly by families that live in the adjoining sub-divisions. Residents of both Hickory Lake and Hickory Ridge frequently use the low-traffic roads within each neighborhood to walk, jog and ride bicycles but have had to cross and/or walk alongside over 250 yards of Elder Road in order to access the other neighborhood. Elder road has very little shoulder area that isn't part of a drainage culvert and has become increasingly busy over the last few years. The new sidewalk should make it much safer for residents of the area. Barring any inclement weather, the sidewalk project should be completed in just a few days. (Newest photos are at the bottom) (All photos by Stephen Arnold) |
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