State approves grant for city sidewalk project

The City of Clarendon has been approved for a new sidewalk improvement project funded by the Texas Department of Transportation.

The city project will receive $264,800 in state funds for sidewalk improvements in the 300 block of Sully Street in front of City Hall and three county-owned building as well as near the Clarendon Lions Hall in the 400 block of Sully.

The project will fill gaps in the pedestrian network by replacing broken/damaged sidewalks as well as sidewalk leveling and curb and gutter replacement. Additional improvements will include new curb ramps and pedestrian lighting.

The Clarendon project is part of more than $284.8 million approved by the Texas Transportation Commission for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure that will help improve safety, mobility, access and quality of life for people across the state.

These federal Transportation Alternative funds will go toward 73 projects statewide that will build sidewalks, shared use paths, dedicated bicycle lanes and pedestrian bridges. They will also be used for the development of active transportation plans that will help communities plan for non-motorized connected networks.

“This significant investment will make it safer and more enjoyable for people to walk and bike in their communities while improving access across the state,” Texas Transportation Commissioner Robert “Robie” Vaughn said. “By expanding transportation options, we can build more connected communities and a more connected Texas, while enhancing the quality of life for everyone.”

While collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists only make up a small percentage of traffic crashes in Texas, they account for 1 in 5 traffic fatalities.

All of these projects will provide safer conditions for people who walk or use bicycles or wheelchairs. More specifically, 27 of these projects will improve pedestrian safety in areas identified as potential risks in the Texas Pedestrian Safety Action Plan.

Twenty-nine of these projects are intended to provide safer routes for children walking and biking to schools.

Funding for these projects comes from the federal Transportation Alternatives program. All award selections come after a competitive call for projects from cities and counties across the state.