Athens City Council approved the Safe Routes to School project this summer to install and repair school sidewalks, and now that classes are in session, school officials are happy with the progress.
DV Weber, a construction company based in Reedsville, Ohio, is constructing the project and all installations and repairs will be within 1 1/2 miles of school premises.
When the project is completed, the new sidewalks will be along South Lancaster Street behind Athens Middle School, Watt Street between Ohio Avenue and Maplewood Drive and along Second Street between Central Avenue and Currier Street, according to City Engineer and Director of Public Works Andy Stone’s Office.
When the middle school was originally constructed, there were no sidewalks.
Now, after four consecutive grants that Athens has received for sidewalk improvements, there is a sidewalk surrounding the school for the first time.
Tom Gibbs, associate superintendent of Athens City Schools, said the repairs will improve safety for students. The district encourages students to walk or jog outside, and now students can do that more safely, he said.
The biggest improvement so far, Gibbs said, is the bus pick-up in the afternoon.
“They weren’t in a place with good conditions before this and now they are safe,” Gibbs said.
ck813711@ohiou.edu
@cassirelly
