"Controversial" sidewalk project in Laurie, MO finally moving forward; kudos to Laurie & its leaders - LakeExpo.com

Headlines are quick hits from media outlets from Missouri and around the world. Follow the headline link for the full story. The source of this headline says:

With the guarantee of federal funding, Laurie's sidewalk project is ready to take the next step forward, into the bidding process.

At the Tuesday, May 10 alderman meeting, Laurie City Clerk Ron Clarke reported the city had received a letter from the Missouri Department of Transportation confirming the Federal Highway Administration’s approval of the obligation of federal funds for the construction of the first phase of the Laurie sidewalk project. The letter also authorized the city to advertise for bids.

Link: 

"Controversial" sidewalk project in Laurie, MO finally moving forward; kudos to Laurie & its leaders - LakeExpo.com

MoBikeFed comment: Congratulations and kudos to the City of Laurie, the Mayor, City Council, and staff, to the citizens of Laurie, and to MoDOT for moving forward with this project.

As the project has moved forward, it has been subject to protests and media coverage calling it "controversial".

Adding sidewalks to major thoroughfares and business districts in Missouri communities should not be "controversial". What should be controversial is omitting them for decades and then never taking any steps to address this serious problem.

As we have written before, "It is positively shameful that Missouri cities and towns still do not have sidewalks through their business districts on major thoroughfares like Highway 5.

"Not having sidewalks in our cities and towns puts us on par with impoverished third world countries. Is that really where we want to be?"

More about the Laurie sidewalk project:

http://mobikefed.org/2015/09/still-controversial-plans-sidewalk-hwy-5-la...

http://mobikefed.org/2015/08/sidewalk-scrutiny-laurie-mayor-asks-whether...

http://lakeexpo.com/news/lake_news/still-controversial-laurie-sidewalk-p...