New Sidewalks

GRIFTON — Sidewalks are popping up throughout the Town of Grifton, thanks to the hard work of Grifton officials.

Sidewalk work began on Church street several weeks ago as part of the town’s, and DOT’s, first enhancement project. However, the project really took about two years to get started, according to Town Administrator Michael Peoples.  According to Peoples, the town received notice they were funded in the latter part of 2002. Because this was the first project, it took time to develop and make a reality.

"Just planning and design and having to seek approval is sometimes time consuming," People said. "It just took a long time to develop."

DOT is providing the grants in an attempt at planning for pedestrian walkways. Grifton formed a Pedestrian Master Plan committee to identify the areas of town that are in need of sidewalk.

Funding for the Church Street sidewalk project was through a 2002 NCDOT Enhancement grant. The town was responsible for 20 percent of the cost. Grifton was one of 18 towns chosen for the grant out of a total of 48 applications.

Peoples said the Church Street project took a lot of not only time, but also commitment from area residents, who had to allow for a permanent easement for crews to put down the sidewalk.

"They were good enough to give a permanent easement for the sidewalk," Peoples said. "I’d like to thank them for their patience."

The project on Highland Avenue is also state funded and comes in three phases, two of which are already funded. Phase one will be finished soon and included widening the road from McCrae Street North to Patrick Street on the West side of the road. The project also included curb and gutter and sidewalk. Once the sidewalks are complete, the area will be resurfaced. In Phase 2, the same work will begin at Patrick Street and continue North to River Road. Peoples said though the first two phases may seem like the sidewalk leads to nowhere, future work will eventually have sidewalks connected on both sides of the road from McCrae Street to Andy’s and on the other side just past the Dollar General, where it will connect with the existing sidewalk. All that work, Peoples added, will hopefully begin as early July of this year. Peoples said the 2004 NCDOT Enhancement grant, which funds the sidewalk project from McCrae to Andy’s as well as on the other side, also requires a 20 percent match from the Town of Grifton. 

"It still looks like a sidewalk to nowhere even with phase 2," Peoples said. "(But) all projects lead to another plan."

Copyright 2003 - Town of Grifton - All Rights Reserved