Changes are in the works for Grand Avenue East that should benefit pedestrians.
For starters, a one-kilometre stretch of the south side of the road should have a sidewalk installed sometime next year.
There is currently no sidewalk on that side of the street from the intersection of Van Allan Avenue and Grand Avenue all the way to the Chatham-Kent Veterinary Hospital at 332 Grand Ave. E. However, there is a sidewalk running from the vet clinic to Curran Crescent beside Maple City Marine (680 Grand Ave. E.).
According to municipal officials, concrete should be poured for the sidewalk in 2025.
“The exact timeline depends on securing a contractor for the work, and their schedule, but the work is anticipated to occur sometime in the spring-summer next year,” officials told The Chatham Voice.
The sidewalk would close a hole in the pedestrian link on the south side of Grand Avenue, connecting the core of Chatham with the Home Hardware on Grand Avenue, as well as other businesses. It would also give residents at the Avalon apartment building at 364 Grand Ave. E. a link on that side of the road to walk west.
The north side of Grand Avenue East does have a sidewalk running continuously from Rubies at 661 Grand Ave. E. through the city.
The cost to install the missing stretch of sidewalk is anticipated to be approximately $250,000, which is already funded through the multi-year capital plan, according to officials, so there would be no additional cost added to the taxpayer for this project.
Furthermore, there is no safe way for pedestrians in the area to cross to the north side of Grand Avenue East from the south, save for Van Allen Avenue where there is a lighted crossing.
There is nothing in the way of a lighted intersection or a pedestrian cross walk between Van Allen and Communication Road to the east, a distance of three kilometres.
Municipal officials said that too is being reviewed.
