WACO, TX — The City of Waco plans to add sidewalks, bike lanes and pave some streets in South Waco this summer.
The project aims to encourage pedestrian and bicycle traffic to and from community services, school events and church services.
As part of the $1 million project, the city will add sidewalks along Gurley Lane from 12th Street to 27th Street. They will meet American with Disabilities Act standards, eliminating trip hazards and barriers.
Any existing sidewalks that are not ADA compliant will be replaced. In some areas, the sidewalks will be wider than the existing ones.
"From a safety standpoint, get them out of the way of the motorists, get them out of the way of obstacles, where they feel they are challenged and they have to be on the street. We want to eliminate that. We want to have them on sidewalks," said Jim Reed, City of Waco Public Works Capital Improvement Project Manager
The city also plans to add bike lanes on 12th Street between Garden Drive to Columbus Avenue. That street already has bike route signs along the way.
The project also includes paving of 11th Street, 12th Street and Gurley Lane.
The Texas Department of Transportation will reimburse the city with federal funds totaling $474,536 as part of the Transportation Alternative Set Aside Program.
