Soon Fuquay-Varina residents will be able to get their exercise walking—on sidewalks—almost the full north/south length of the town.

One major project, extending a sidewalk from Broad Street (NC55) to Main Street (Highway 401) is scheduled for construction within the 2010-11 fiscal year. It will be funded with a matching grant the town is getting from the N. C. Department of Transportation.

Under provisions of the 80/20 grant, the state will pay $87,384 toward the project; Fuquay-Varina will pay $21,846. The walkway will run along one side of Wake Chapel Road. Sidewalks are already in place on the bridge over the railroad. Walks cannot be built on railroad property where tracks cross the highway at ground level.

(The project was approved several years ago but has been delayed awaiting a DOT-municipal agreement).

Another sidewalk project more recently approved at state level will also aid in tying the business districts of Fuquay and Varina together. The walkway will run along East Broad Street from Ennis Street (end of the streetscape in Varina) to the existing sidewalk in front of Home Depot. Total cost of that project will also be shared by the town and the state.

A third project the town will move forward with state participation will put sidewalks along the east side of South Main Street beginning at the Fuquay Mineral Spring Park and running to the intersection of South Main and Judd Parkway. At that point the sidewalk will go east along the north side of Judd Parkway and connect with an existing sidewalk at Phillips Point subdivision. The project also extends a sidewalk along South Main from the existing sidewalk/pedestrian trail in front of South Park to the entrance of the Fuquay-Varina Homes for the Elderly. Total project cost estimate is $295,816. The town’s share is $59,163.

A memo from Planning Director Mike Sorensen to Town Manager Andy Hedrick indicates that Fuquay-Varina is due to receive for these project a total of $509,773 with the town providing a match of $127,443.

State funding for the local projects has been approved for Fuquay-Varina by the Capital Area Municipal Planning Organization (CAMPO) that makes recommendations for use of funds that come to the state DOT from the federal government. All municipalities in Wake County have representation in the organization. Projects CAMPO approves are administered by DOT.

The town is also seeking, through CAMPO, an $80,000 matching funds grant for a traffic light at what will be the intersection of Judd Parkway and Stewart Street. A request has also been made for funding of an environmental study and design work on the final leg of the Judd Parkway loop around town. Hedrick said it would be helpful to have that work done when money becomes available to build the road.

In his report to the board last week, Hedrick said the town is also finally getting some stimulus money, a total of $60,000. The funds will be used to upgrade air conditioning and lighting in the old part of the community center and some similar work at town hall.