Sidewalk Project Delayed At Fairfield's McKinley Elementary School

FAIRFIELD, CT — A sidewalk improvement project at McKinley Elementary School in Fairfield is slated to go out to bid again, because the effort did not receive any bids the first time, according to First Selectman Bill Gerber.

Requests for Proposals were sent out to multiple area construction firms, but none submitted bids.

The town received more than $680,000 from the state to help fund the project, which calls for the installation of new sidewalks leading to the school.

"We know that adding sidewalks can slow traffic, reducing motor vehicle-related injuries," Gerber said in a statement earlier this year when the grant was announced. "Studies show that people who report they have a place to walk are significantly more likely to meet recommendations for physical fitness."

Under the project, the following streets are slated for new sidewalks:

• Cardinal Street
• Lenox Street
• Thompson Street
• Knapps Highway (East and West sides)
• Pope Street
• Tunxis Hill Bus Shelter

"Once a bid is accepted, there are several steps that must be followed before the design will be ready for neighbors' review," Gerber wrote in a recent Town Update. "The timeline is still a few months out, but there will be notice given through email so neighbors can weigh in on the process."

Area residents who wish to be added to the email list for the project, can email firstselectman@fairfieldct.org to request their inclusion.