The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced the City of Centralia will get a $250,000 Safe Routes to School grant. The grant will be used to construct approximately 1,800 feet of sidewalk connecting Jordan Elementary on the Airport Road north across Route 161 to Edgebrook Lane near the Lamplight Apartment Complex on Country Club Road.
Centralia City Manager Kory Smith says construction of this section of sidewalk will connect Centralia Junior High, Centralia High School, and Jordan School all the way to Edgebrook Lane. He’s hopeful the work can be completed in the next 12 to 16 months.
Smith is hopeful this is just the start of sidewalk improvements in the city. He reports they will be apply for another IDOT grant this summer that would allow for completion of an overall comprehensive sidewalk plan for the city. Smith says they can then apply for additional grants and will receive additional points for having the comprehensive plan.
Right now work is being completed on adding handicapped accessibility ramps to sidewalks along McCord Street.
Flora is also receiving a $250,000 Safe Routes to School Grant to extend and replace the existing noncompliant sidewalk with a new five foot wide ADA compliant sidewalks for safe walking and biking to and from Floyd Henson Junior High School. All the new sidewalks will also include curbs.
