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New Sidewalks Coming East of Downtown

Updated February 18, 2013

We want Clayton to be a walkable community, a place that encourages residents and visitors to put down the keys to the car and instead take a stroll to the nearest park, restaurant, shop, or school. Walkable communities cut down on traffic congestion, air pollution and well, they just make for healthier people! It's why Clayton is working hard to add miles of greenways and trails to the area each year. And it's why the town now requires that all new development include sidewalks.

But what about the older areas of town that were developed before sidewalks were considered a key to improved quality of life? Is it too late to help connect those neighborhoods to the rest of our pedestrian-friendly community and downtown? The answer is No! And the new East Area Sidewalk Project is the solution.

This nearly $100,000 project is about to get underway in March near downtown, taking full advantage of federal dollars set aside for communities trying to make pedestrain improvements. To qualify for the money, the town only needs to match 20% of those funds, which means a project that could have cost Clayton six-figures is expected to cost less than $20,000!

Soon, about 10 blocks, along 4 different streets just east of downtown Clayton will be sporting more than 4,000 feet of brand new sidewalk. The streets are Compton, East Horne, South Smith and John. It's important to note that the project does not include installing sidewalk on both sides of those streets. For a more detailed map of the project, please click here.

The contractor is looking to start the job in the first part of March. The sidewalks will not only make the neighborhoods more walkable, they'll go a long way in making them safer for families and senior citizens. Plus, each sidewalk will also have handicap ramps at each intersection to make it easier for young and old.