A public works project in Old Town to restore and rehabilitate over two and a half miles of sidewalk is moving forward after being in various stages of planning and approval for four years.
Locally owned ASA Engineering was recently selected as the engineering firm to draw up plans to repair the sidewalks, which cover Louisiana Avenue and James and Signal Mountain boulevards. The current condition is seen as a safety hazard and the sidewalks are out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“The sidewalks are so old and broken in several places, and there are tree roots that have caused significant damage to them,” said Loretta Hopper, director of Public Works for the town of Signal Mountain. “It’s currently not accessible for all citizens, and we really want to increase the safety and usability for all of our residents.”
ASA Engineering was selected for the project after an in-depth qualifications review process by the town, which involved interviews with numerous different engineering firms, she said.
Officials with the town said the project is expected to cost around $479,000. It will be primarily funded with a federal grant managed through the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The grant is an 80/20 split, meaning the town will be responsible for roughly $96,000 of the project.