PEA RIDGE — A sidewalk on Hayden Road from the high school to city park may become a reality before the end of the year thanks to a highway department grant and action by the city council.
The city applied for a grant two years ago and has just been told they will receive $55,000. The grant is a reimbursable grant, according to Daniel Barnes, engineer. Barnes, with McClellandConsulting Engineers, told City Council members the grant will reimburse up to 80 percent of the costs, not including engineering and administration fees.
The city’s original submission had been for three phases costing $135,000 with sidewalks planned along Arkansas Highway 94 from Standing Oaks to Givens Subdivision, along Slack Street (Arkansas Highway 72) from Curtis Avenue to Weston Street and the HaydenRoad stretch.
“Unfortunately, we’ve got some not good news,” Barnes said, as he told the council of the $55,000.
Barnes said he made a mistake on his initial estimate and the city would need to decide which project to complete with the funds available.
“We need to determine which is most traveled, which is utilized more,” councilman Bob Cottingham said.
Mayor Jackie Crabtreesaid many children walk along Hayden Road because of the surrounding subdivisions, the city park and the schools.
Barnes and Crabtree explained to the council that although the city can cut its own costs by using either city employees or county inmates for some of the work, they can not be used for the portion paid for by the grant.
Barnes said the city could apply for another grant later. “This is transportation money from Washington. Itwill happen again.”
Council members unanimously approved moving forward with the contract to build the sidewalk along one side of Hayden Road and to accept the grant.
Barnes said there are two more deadlines including submitting drawings by the first week of May, final plans and specifications and “being sure what we have qualifies for federal funds.”
“We could begin construction by August,” Barnes told city officials.
News, Pages 1 on 04/25/2012