Sidewalks meant to pave a safer way for students to schools

Some Cape Girardeau students will be heading back to class this year on new sidewalks.

Weeks before schools were set to open for the first day, contractors completed construction for the city on sidewalks near four schools. The work was made possible by funds granted to the city by the Safe Routes to School program.

The national and international movement helps communities create safe and convenient opportunities for children to bicycle and walk to and from schools. The program was designed to reverse the decline in children walking and biking to schools and to play a positive role in reducing childhood obesity and inactivity.

The National Center for Safe Routes to School reports fewer than 15 percent of schoolchildren walk or ride a bicycle to school.

The city of Cape Girardeau applied for funding from the program in 2008 and initially was denied. But in 2011, the city was notified there was additional funding left in the program and its request would be granted.

Hurst-Rosche was the consultant selected to design the project that would benefit elementary and middle school children. The city selected the bid of $316,710.50 from Lappe Cement Finishing Inc. to begin construction on the project. The grant total was $176,449.40. Additional monies were appropriated through the motor fuel tax.

City engineer Casey Brunke said paperwork and a few other final project details have not been completed, but the sidewalks are finished.

"For anyone that doesn't know about the project ... it's done for all their intents and purposes," she said.

The new sidewalks can be seen on Clark Avenue to the north, near the Cape Girardeau Public Library, and to the south, near the Central Junior High School baseball field; Cordelia Avenue near Central Middle School; Sheridan Drive between Independence and William streets; and North Keller Avenue and North Louisiana Avenue near Franklin Elementary School.

The new sidewalk on North Clark Avenue also rests a short distance from St. Vincent de Paul Grade School. Brunke said the program requires the project be built within 2 miles of a school.

Neil Glass, assistant superintendent of administrative services for the Cape Girardeau School District, said the new sidewalks were a need for the local schools and the community.

"We've always advocated for better and safer routes to school," he said. "The city had the opportunity to apply for that Safe Routes to School grant and they were awarded some money and we were able to work with them to establish some routes."

As someone who works in a school setting, Glass said he sees the need every day for improved and additional sidewalks. Many students who walk to school were forced either to walk on the street when there was no sidewalk available or walk through grass.

"Lots of times, especially during inclement weather, [the students] would struggle to find a good route," he said. "They would be walking in the mud or walking in the snow, and that's never good."

Brunke said the city recognized the lack of sidewalks were an issue for schools and students, and hopes the recent project has helped alleviate the problem.

"There's a lot of elementary schools, they utilize the sidewalks and try to get more children to exercise and walk to school," she said. "It is a great thing for your children to be able to walk to school, so hopefully these projects greatly enhance that."

Alma Schrader Elementary School is next on the list to receive additional nearby sidewalks. Brunke said the city requested funds from Safe Routes to School again in 2011 and received approval. The city is working with property owners in the area for acquisition and construction easements.

She said she couldn't put a date on the completion, but once the acquisitions process is complete, Brunke said the project should quickly go out to bid and construction wouldn't take long, weather permitting.

That project would place new sidewalks along Kings-way Drive from Kurre Lane to Janet Drive. A separate city capital improvements project would add even more sidewalks in the area.

As for the finished sidewalks, Glass said they are already getting plenty of use.

"I know right here in front of the [school] board office and the junior high, there was a much-needed sidewalk that was added along the ball fields," he said. "I can see that from my office, that one is utilized 24/7 by community members."

He also pointed out how useful the sidewalks will be for students and others who depend on wheelchairs, thanks to the parts near street intersections that include a gradual slope for easier access.

"It's a good thing, not only for the schools, but for the community, and we really appreciate the city taking the lead on this," Glass said.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.