Sidewalk project moves forward

By Tony Farkas
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COLDSPRING — A proposal for sidewalks and bike paths has garnered a lot of public support, so City Council members plan to take the first steps and submit a grant application.

Mayor John Benestante said that a lot of people came in support of the matter during an open house and at a special council meeting on May 9, so the information has been sent to the city’s grant administrator.

On March 31, the city of Coldspring was invited to submit three applications to The Texas Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Set-aside Program, which grants funds for locally sponsored bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects.

The projects are being designed to create more accessible conduits for pedestrian movement throughout the community, to enhance connectivity, and to promote alternative transportation for non-motorized travelers.

The proposed projects will provide nonmotorized transportation opportunities and accessibility throughout the community, creating a pedestrian network that connects the junior high school, high school, public library, City Hall, and numerous local businesses with the historic downtown area.

TxDOT announced a statewide Call for Projects for TA Program funding in November 2022. The TA program provides funding to plan for and construct a variety of alternative transportation projects that improve safety and mobility for non-motorized travelers and mitigate congestion by providing safe alternatives to motor transport.

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Updates given on projects

The department will select projects for recommendation to the Texas Transportation Commission for current TA funds under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, totaling approximately $250 million (from both the available FY 2022-FY2023 and anticipated FY 2024-FY 2025 federal appropriations).

In other business, the council:

•discussed the Juneteenth Parade put on by the Friends of Hopewell Inc. and event insurance requirements;

•discussed a dilapidated shopping center purchase and cleanup, but took no action;

•discussed a tow company’s plan to lease land to enter a business;

•discussed instituting a system of business permits.