The city of Cheney will hold an informational meeting on Monday, Feb. 6, regarding the Safe Routes to School grant project. Last year, Cheney was awarded a $250,000 Safe Routes to School grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation. The amount awarded is to be used to construct new sidewalks in the Route designated for children to walk along to school.

Schwab-Eaton has been hired to complete the survey work and design the sidewalk construction.

The city and USD 268 have agreed to pay for the engineering costs associated with this grant. The Safe Routes to School grant will then pay for the construction costs to repair and replace sidewalks along designated walking routes throughout the city. Sidewalks must meet requirements set forth by KDOT, with a minimum width of 5 feet and set away from the curb. Once design specifications have been agreed upon between Schwab-Eaton and KDOT, bids will be received and a contractor will be hired. Construction will begin in the late spring and be completed by early fall.

The are numerous areas that would be affected, either in the main “base service” area, and potentially in an additional area known as “option 1.” The base area is by far the largest, and includes much of the west side of Sixth Avenue west of Main Street, and parts of the east side of Sixth to the east of Main Street. Other affected areas include the west side of Garfield from Second to Fifth, the south side of Fifth from Washington to Main, Shadybrook from Main to Sunset, Seventh Avenue between Marshall and Adams, and along Marshall and Adams from Fourth to Fifth Street.

A color map showing the areas that would be impacted can be found on The Times-Sentinel website at tsnews.com.

Existing sidewalks that do not comply with KDOT requirements will be replaced. If no sidewalk exists on the property, a new sidewalk will be installed. The grant also focuses on proper handicap ramps being installed at intersections.

The information meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday at Cheney City Hall, 131 N. Main. During the meeting, city officials and engineers will answer questions regarding the installation of these new sidewalks. If you have any comments and questions prior to the meeting or are unable to attend the meeting, contact city clerk Danielle Young at 316-542-3622.