FINCASTLE – Walking along Springwood Road here is about to get a bit easier.
Last week crews from Eal Concrete LLC of Elliston, Virginia, started replacing a stretch of sidewalk between East Main Street and Back Street near Breckinridge Elementary School.
The old sidewalk was either brick and mortar or stone, which had grass growing in between the blocks, is being replaced with concrete.
Fincastle Town Manager David Tickner explained that Town Council voted in July to sell a $40,000 certificate of deposit to pay for the project. “That’s not a bad price for two blocks of sidewalk,” he said, explaining the construction crew must break up the old sidewalk before laying the new concrete walkway.
The new sidewalk is part of the town’s comprehensive plan. By replacing the uneven, crumbling sidewalk, the new one will “allow for leisure activities and for people to be out and about, especially those with mobility issues” he said.
In 2014, Fincastle spent about $700,000 to improve the downtown area, including new sidewalks. “It’s our effort to make the town more pedestrian friendly,” he said of the improved sidewalks.
In other Fincastle news, Town Council cancelled Trick-or-Treat and the Christmas Parade during its most recent meeting.
In a statement, Tickner explained that the Virginia Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control have classified trick-or-treating as a highest risk activity. With this in mind, he said, Town Council decided Fincastle will not be participating in any Halloween activities. “The safety and welfare of our community takes priority,” he said.
As for cancelling the Christmas Parade, the announcement said the town will comply with the Governor’s Executive Order No. 67, guidance from the Virginia Department of Health, and in the best interest of public health and safety.
“We hope to be back bigger and better than ever in 2021,” he said.
