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New concrete, lighting for bikeway

Chandler is planning to construct a bicycle and pedestrian path along its northern border and will hold a second public meeting to seek comment on the proposed design.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, at WestMark High School, 3002 N. Arizona Ave., Suite 116.

Approximately 35 residents attended a preliminary meeting held in June, and officials will bring updated plans to the second session.

The path will be located on the south side of the Western Canal between the Hamilton Street alignment and the Loop 101 Price Freeway.

Currently, the project area consists of a dirt operations and maintenance road that is used by Salt River Project to access the canal and the overhead power lines.

The road is also open to the public and is utilized by pedestrians and other non-motorized users.

The proposed project will pave the existing maintenance-road surface with a 10-foot-wide, lighted concrete path. 

In addition to the path, pedestrian rest areas with landscaping, irrigation and drinking fountains will be constructed at nodes at Arizona Avenue, Alma School Road and Dobson Road.

When completed, the path will create a link for non-motorized users along the Western Canal with Mesa and Tempe. The path would also continue to provide access for utility maintenance crews and equipment.

The majority of funding for the $2 million project will come from the Congestion Management Air Quality program that is administered by the Federal Highway Administration and the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Funding will be available to construct the path starting in 2006.

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