Feds possible source of funding to improve walkways

Carson City plans to pursue up to $2 million in federal funding to help improve some of its walkways.

"The requested funding would represent only a portion of the cost to correct all of the sidewalk deficiencies," said city transportation manager Patrick Pittenger.

The Regional Transportation Commissioners are expected to approve the application during their meeting today.

Many sidewalks need repair and many areas around the city don't have sidewalks at all.

Improvements are going to be targeted to these types of needs:

• Critical gaps: Short segments of roadway without any pedestrian features, especially sites that low-income residents would use to reach shopping areas.

• School areas: Improvements that would make it easier - and safer - for children to walk to and from school.

• Areas served by public transportation: Jump Around Carson's ridership is increasing. It provided more than 7,000 rides in January. Not all of the bus stops are easy to reach because there are no sidewalks near, for example.

The city recently finished a review of sidewalk conditions and found there are 2,149 street corners without adequate handicap ramps.

Doing the access work on each corner "costs thousands of dollars per ramp," Pittenger said.

There are also 315 miles of roadway without sidewalks and 305 locations where obstructions shoot up from the ground and make the site difficult to travel.

While obtaining the money wouldn't allow the city to achieve a large amount of the work sought, it would be "progress," Pittenger said. "The city would still bear the majority of costs."

The idea would be presented to federal legislators for their consideration if the request is approved by the commissioners.

The city completed its Unified Pathways Master Plan last year. It's a document that illustrates need and helps lawmakers create policy. It and other similar reports are used to show state and federal legislators why funds for certain projects are important, according to city officials.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

If you go

WHAT: Regional Transportation Commission meeting

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. today

WHERE: Sierra Room,

Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.