Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Oakesdale and Colton officials plan to replace sidewalks next year with funds provided through the state’s Transportation Improvement Board. The two projects were among the top nine rated by the T.I.B. to receive available funds under its Small City Sidewalk Program.
The Colfax Third Street and Clay Street sidewalk program reported here two weeks ago, topped the list of nine.
The nine projects were among 24 east side projects submitted to the program with a total cost placed at $1.42 million.
Total amount of the applications were more than $3.13 million.
Oakesdale Mayor Dennis Palmer was informed last week that the town was chosen to receive $137,354 from the T.I.B. sidewalk program. Palmer noted they have been attempting to get funding for the project in prior funding rounds and were unsuccessful.
The project will extend the wide sidewalk on the long block on Steptoe Street from First Street and Second Street past the Post Office. Three new light poles will also be installed.
“It’s twice as wide as a typical sidewalk,” said Stevan Gorcester, Executive Director for T.I.B.
The sidewalk will require extra depth on its rock base, because of the freeze/thaw conditions for this part of Washington.
“In Whitman County, we’re building heavy duty sidewalks so we don’t have to repair them,” Gorcester said.
Mayor Palmer said the deteriorating sidewalk has become a trip hazard, and exposed edges have been ground down several times over many years.
Palmer said the project will likely be done next summer. The grant sum will cover the total cost.
The $150,000 grant for Colton will pay for the replacement of one block of broken curb and sidewalk on both sides of Broadway Street (S.R. 195) from Steptoe Street to Gregor Street.
The project includes adding a handicap ramp for Colton’s City Hall.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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