Reevaluation of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Project Consisting of Safety Improvements along East Park Avenue in the vicinity of W.G. Nunn Elem. School and J.L. Newbern Middle School

This project is a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) infrastructure project that will improve pedestrian and bicycle accessibility for students within a 1 mile radius of W.G. Nunn Elementary School and J. l. Newbern Middle School in Valdosta Ga. The project consists of sidewalk construction on the north side of East Park Avenue from W. G. Nunn Elementary School (Lakeland Ave) to the intersection of Jaycee Shack Road and Baymeadows Drive. At this intersection, the sidewalk construction will continue on the south side of East Park Avenue from the intersection of Jaycee Shack Road and Baymeadows Drive to J. L. Newbern Middle School. The existing typical section has two 12-ft lanes of traffic, with 10-ft rural shoulders on 100-ft of right-of-way. Posted speed limit is 35-45 MPH. Due to nonexistent sidewalks, students walking or bicycling to school must do so using an existing narrow shoulder along portions of East Park Avenue from the driveway of J. L. Newbern Middle School to the driveway of W. G. Elementary School. There are no crosswalks in the existing condition. The SRTS project would improve pedestrian and bicycle accessibility and connectivity by adding sidewalks. The proposed Typical Section consist of two 12-ft lanes of traffic, with 12-ft. rural shoulders with a six foot sidewalk buffer, five-ft. sidewalks on 100-ft of existing right-of-way. No new right-of-way will be needed. Minimum crosswalk width will be 8-ft. The sidewalks start at approximately W. G. Elementary School and extend approximately 3,900 feet along East Park Avenue to the driveway of J.L. Newbern Middle School. The original survey evaluated the north side of East Park Avenue. The current survey evaluated the south side of East Park Avenue due to the sidewalk location switching sides from the north side to the south.