by Dennis Dalman
A sidewalk will be constructed starting at the east side of the Sartell bridge at the newly reconstructed intersection of CR 29 and CR 33.
The Sartell City Council at its last meeting gave unanimous approval for the sidewalk, with a cost not to exceed $15,000. Benton County has been working all summer on road-and-utility improvements on Sartell’s east side, but the county informed the city it would not install a sidewalk in that area, that it would have to be a city project.
The sidewalk will start on the southwest side of that busy intersection and proceed south for a couple of blocks where it will connect to a current biking-hiking path along Benton Drive S.
The council members agreed even though they don’t often see pedestrians in that area near the intersection, there are some people who walk that way. They agreed public safety is paramount, even if it means that area is not heavily used by walkers or bikers.
The cost estimate for the project is anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000, the council was told.