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The City of Poughkeepsie is set to begin a major initiative to repair sidewalks across the city. The Comprehensive Sidewalk Paving Action Plan aims to address nearly 1,500 sidewalk issues, enhancing walkability and ensuring pedestrian safety by removing trip and fall hazards. The city's Common Council has approved funding for the project, with repairs scheduled to start soon and continue through the fall.
The city will also undertake substantial street paving projects, using approximately $2 million in state funding to improve more than a dozen roads. Mayor Yvonne Flowers emphasized the importance of maintaining safe roads, stating, "Keeping our roads safe is one of our highest priorities." The roadwork is expected to begin on Monday, August 19, covering about 2.6 miles and utilizing over 2,200 tons of asphalt, according to city officials.
In addition to sidewalk repairs, the city plans to enhance pedestrian and bicycle accommodations along Grand Avenue using a "Complete Streets" approach. This project, funded by federal and city resources, will include milling and resurfacing, concrete curb replacement, and improvements to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Mayor Marc Nelson highlighted the significance of this project, saying, "Grand Avenue is a main thoroughfare and has been in need of repair for quite some time."