DIXFIELD — The town has received $163,635 to build a sidewalk from the school superintendent’s office on Nash Street to Dirigo Middle School on Weld Street, Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky said.
The Safe Routes to School grant comes through the Maine Department of Transportation. Skibitsky received a letter from the state on Sept. 30 advising that the town was awarded the money.
It will help build a sidewalk from the RSU 10 superintendent’s office on Nash Street, passing Dirigo High school, and continuing on Weld Street to the middle school. A total of 3,644 feet of sidewalk will be constructed.
Safe Routes to School is a federal, state and local effort to enable and encourage children to walk and bicycle to school. A major goal of the program is to increase bicycle, pedestrian and traffic safety.
“We have a large population that tends to walk on Weld Street,” Skibitsky said. “I think it is apparent that this is something the town needs.”
Skibitsky said he owed a lot of gratitude to Lori Soucy, RSU 10’s health coordinator, who helped write the grant.
Soucy also helped the town of Rumford write and attain a Safe Routes to School grant.
“She helped to find the words that convinced DOT that the sidewalks were a worthwhile project,” Skibitsky said.
The town applied for the grant in 2004 and 2007 but was denied.
The project is estimated to cost $204,544. The town will budget $37,409 in the next two years to complete the project.
Skibitsky said the town is taking bids from engineers for review by the Roads Committee.
He said once funds are secured, a public hearing will be held so residents can voice their opinion on the project. He said he hopes construction can begin next fall.
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