Work begins on new Norris sidewalk
A Norris Public Works Department crew removes the old asphalt sidewalk in front of Norris Middle School on Monday, July 20. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
During last week’s July City Council meeting, held Monday, the council voted to award a $33,077 contract to Clinton-based Tri-Star Contracting of East Tennessee for construction of the new sidewalk.
The job description did not include removing the old sidewalk, which is being done completely by the city’s Public Works Department.
Tri-Star had the lowest among 15 bids for the project, for which the city had budgeted a maximum of $35,000. There was a wide range of bids, including three that were for more than $100,000.
City Manager Bailey Whited recommended that Tri-Star be given the contract, which was approved unanimously by the council.
“We will try to get it done before school starts,” Public Works Director Kerry Hevel said at the council meeting.
City officials have been concerned about the safety of the asphalt sidewalk, as roots from trees between the sidewalk and the street caused upheavals in the surface over a long period, causing it to be uneven and broken in several areas.
The new sidewalk will be about eight feet closer to Norris Middle School than the old one, a move that required the city to get an easement from the Anderson County Board of Education to move the sidewalk onto school property.
The city had been considering what to do about the deteriorating sidewalk for about the past 12 years, and for part of that time even had a state “Safe Routes to Schools” grant available to help pay for the replacement.
Bureaucratic restrictions led the City Council to relinquish the grant last year and proceed on its own to come up with a plan and funding for the new sidewalk.
Most of Norris’ downtown events take place along the sidewalk, and during the growing season, vendors for the Norris Farmers Market line up between the road and the sidewalk, with their booths facing the sidewalk.
