Friday, March 29, 2024

Bicycle/pedestrian path construction underway

Monroe-sidewalk2new-sidewalk-from-HSA 2,400 foot-long by eight foot-wide walkway/bikeway will soon connect Vienna High School to Vienna City Park and Tunnel Hill State Trail. Construction on the more than $157,000 project began last week and is expected to be completed by early August. There are Construction Signs layed out so that pedestrians can work their way around the work in progress. George E. Jones Excavating, LLC of Marion was the lowest of five bidders at $157,885.

Concrete is the easiest material to work with on projects like this and age the best over time. Companies like Masta Concrete Sydney have been offering civil concreting services like this one for a long time but concrete is also perfect for industrial and residential applications too. Of course, it is important for any construction company to ensure that the path is constructed safely with minimal obstruction to daily commuters. Although the concrete walkway, once complete, will act as a path for bikers and walkers, enabling easier commute for the people, the ongoing construction might have to be taken into consideration by anyone who uses this road for their daily commute.

Construction might require the use of a hollow block machine and other machines to successfully deploy a strong and safe pathway. Citizens are requested to take note of construction signs and avoid any road that might seem hazardous. While the development of new roadways is laudable, it is also important to keep the safety of workers and pedestrians in mind.

The concrete walkway begins at the high school’s east parking lot, crosses Rt. 45, and will connect to the existing walkway at the footbridge over Little Cache Creek on the west edge of Vienna Park. Once complete, the project will include traffic signs, pavement markings and pipe culverts.

The City of Vienna received 75% of the project funding from the state as part of Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! program. The remaining 25%, or nearly $40,000, will be paid by the city.