Grant to improve walkways

Commissioner Don Collins briefly discussed a Transportation Enhancement grant at the Pike County retreat Jan. 19. The TE grant is phase two of a project that paved sidewalks around the courthouse and provided more parking and improved curbing. This phase will include improvements to Jackson, Concord and Harper streets and Highway 19.***************©The Pike County Journal Reporter/pikecountygeorgia.com: This information may not be reprinted, broadcast or distributed electronically in any form or fashion without express consent. For reprint permission, e-mail news@pikecountygeorgia.com.***************’This was the first city and county collaborative project,’ he said. ‘It gave us sidewalks on the south and east side of the square. The main part of the second phase of the TE grant is major work to make Zebulon more accessible for people who want to walk.’Phase two will include improvements to Jackson, Adams Street and Highway 18 to provide new curbs, gutter, sidewalks and lighting around the block on the west side of the courthouse square. The grant will also pay for the dirt and gravel parking lot next to the Chamber of Commerce to be paved, as well as the alley behind A Novel Experience and Wings and Things. Work will also include making Harper one way, adding vertical parking spaces, installing new curbs, gutters, concrete sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, trees and landscaping, bench seats and trash receptacles there. The project will provide new curbs, gutters, concrete sidewalks and ADA compliant ramps in front of City Pharmacy on Highway 19 south. ’It’s going to be wonderful to increase the walkability of our downtown,’ said DDA director Chris Curry.Collins said the second phase is taking longer to start than the first phase because access to additional rights of way are required. ’We’ll see enhancements outside the initial area, paving, drainage work and more parking added,’ he said. ‘Sometimes we don’t receive help with projects because we don’t ask.’