Fayetteville Has Over “2 Million Linear Feet of Sidewalk”—Where are They?
posted by Jacqueline Leibman | February 21, 2022 | In NewsIf you have ever driven around Fayetteville, then you have probably noticed how few sidewalks there are throughout the city, and many of the ones that do exist are in a state of disrepair. However, a public notice posted on February 11 by the city of Fayetteville states that the city “includes 2,059,306 linear feet of sidewalk.”
According to Walk Score, a website that measures the walkability of any address using information such as the distance to amenities, population density and road metrics, Fayetteville has a score of 21 out of 100. It is no surprise that it analyzes Fayetteville as a “car-dependent city,” meaning almost all errands require a vehicle to get around the city. The most walkable areas listed were Downtown, Terry Sanford, and Westover.
Based on 2019 city crash data released by the NC Department of Transportation, there were 75 pedestrian crashes with 6 fatalities in the city.
Vehicles also pose a great risk to the homeless population, as they primarily rely on walking transportation. The Fayetteville/Cumberland County Continuum of Care on Homelessness, an organization in charge of tracking local homelessness, counted 297 people experiencing homelessness in 2020, though it is impossible to account for every homeless person in the area.
The public notice also announced completed projects and construction for several sidewalks that will begin soon, in accordance with Goal IV of the city’s Strategic Plan to “improve mobility and connectivity” throughout the city.
“Sidewalks provide numerous health, economic and safety benefits,” Public Services Director Sheila Thomas-Ambat said in the city’s released statement. “Pedestrians deserve spaces that are safe and accessible. Fayetteville City Council Members challenge us to offer exemplary city services. The sidewalks coming in 2022 are just one example of services we are proud to offer.”
The projects mentioned were as followed:
Completed:
- 225 linear feet along Cliffdale Road between Skibo Road and the Freedom Center
- 750 linear feet of new sidewalk with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps along Ramsey Street between Summerchase Drive and Andrews Road
Under Construction:
- 6,600 linear feet with ADA ramps, bus stops, and a retaining wall on Rosehill Road between Stuart Avenue and Hickory Hill Road
- 3,500 feet with ADA ramps on Helen Street between Pamalee and Stansfield Drives
- 3,850 linear feet with ADA ramps and bus pads on Reilly Road between Willowbrook and Cissna Drives
The three new sidewalk sections are scheduled to be completed in Summer 2022.
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