One of several excavation sites for sidewalk construction is shown along the north side of Washington Street in Hope. The first continuous east-west sidewalk that spans the length of Hope should be completed around the end of the month.
Mark Webber | The Republic
HOPE — For larger communities, it may not seem like a big deal.
But the first continuous sidewalk from the east side of Hope to the west has been in the works a long time and spread out over two years.
Located along the north side of Washington Street from Harrison Street to Aiken Street near Norman Park, the final phase of the sidewalk project should be open to the public near the end of this month, weather permitting.
In recent years, sidewalks have been high on the Hope Town Council’s wish list. Their largest concern is for the safety of children who walk or bike who might veer out into the path of traffic. The five-member council has been examining ways to finance sidewalks used to get to and from the public schools.
Phase One of the Washington Street project was completed last year when new sidewalk was installed from the town square to an alley between Market and Walnut streets. Last year’s work included the replacement of a deteriorating brick walkway.
J.B. Concrete Finishing and Excavating of Elizabethtown did the work in 2022 for $26,000. However, that same company’s bid to complete the project this year totaled $52,000 – considerably higher than two other contractors.
This year, workers from Comstock Concrete Construction LLP had the lowest bid of $37,250 to complete the second and final phase. The council asked that the concrete be 4 inches thick with an additional inch of thickness added when placed in an alleyway, town manager Jason Eckart said.
Besides the sidewalk itself, Comstock agreed to install curbing and plates that meet the standards set by the Americans With Disabilities Act, Eckart said. The town also paid about $2,000 to remove two trees that were causing concrete damage.
The town of 2,100 residents had about $40,000 budgeted for sidewalks this year, but the completion of the Washington Street project qualifies for federal funds already awarded to the community from the American Recovery Plan.
Eckart says his goal is to eventually place sidewalks along both Jackson and Seminary streets.
