Project to improve Park Street walkability, drainage

The Park Street Sidewalk Project “consists of constructing five-foot sidewalks, as well as curb and gutter, from Hagan Street to Depot Street,” said Melissa Powell, a spokesperson for the town.

“There are apartments and townhomes in the area, and the town recognized extended sidewalks would help improve residents’ mobility,” she said.

The project will also add a pedestrian crossing and improve drainage along Park Street. Construction began in February and is expected to be completed this summer, Powell said.

Gilday Enterprises, a Roanoke-based firm, was selected as the project’s contractor. The project will cost about $890,000, which will be partially funded by grants and revenue-sharing money from the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Powell said the town recently replaced sidewalks on both sides of South Franklin Street from Main Street to First Street, the southwest quadrant of Town Square, and along the south side of Main Street from South Franklin Street.

In addition to the Park Street project, Powell said the town plans on replacing sidewalks along the east side of North Franklin Street from Main Street to Depot Street and extend the sidewalk to Kroger.

The town plans to eventually add sidewalks to Arbor Drive, as improving walkability outside of the downtown area is also a priority, Powell said.

“All of this work helps promote connectivity, something that has been a priority for the town, as seen by continuing efforts to get the Huckleberry Trail into downtown Christiansburg,” Powell said.

The newest section of the Huckleberry Trail was unveiled in early February. The extension connected the Food Lion on North Franklin Avenue to the existing trail via Cambria St.

Powell said that local traffic could be affected during construction of the Park Street Sidewalk Project, but that access to all homes and businesses will remain open.