State Grant Funds Sidewalk Improvements in Fairview Hospital Area

A state grant award of $303,970 will bring sidewalk, safety and accessibility improvements to the West and Lewis avenue areas around Fairview Hospital.

The grant from the state’s Complete Streets program will cover 100% of the estimated construction costs for pedestrian usage improvements, and the project will go out to bid later this year. 

“This project will fill gaps in the neighborhood’s existing sidewalks, repair deteriorating sidewalks and improve safety around the hospital neighborhood,” said Chris Rembold, assistant town manager and director of planning and community development. “Bus stop locations will also be improved, along with accessibility in the area.”

The project will close a 900-foot sidewalk gap between West Avenue and Maple Avenue (Route 23). This gap presently makes for dangerous walking between residential areas south of the hospital, which means people must walk in the curving, narrow roadway.  In the winter, snow banks make walking this road especially dangerous.

This project will also replace severely deteriorated sidewalks on the rest of West Avenue and on all of Lewis Avenue (2,500 linear feet). This area is a medium-density residential neighborhood that  includes Fairview Hospital, a full service hospital with an emergency room. Fairview is also a major local employer, and its campus and surrounding neighborhood include medical and dental practices. Macony Pediatrics and Yarmosky Pediatric Dentistry, both regional practices, are located near the intersection of Routes 23 and West Ave.

“Filling sidewalk network gaps is a high priority of our Complete Street Prioritization Plan and the Town’s Master Plan,” said Rembold.

Bus stops in the area will also be improved, along with accessibility features in the area.