Norwich — The 0.6-mile section of West Town Street from Wightman Avenue to the Marriott hotel just past the Interstate 395, Exit 14 ramps will get new or refurbished sidewalks with a nearly $600,000 state transportation grant aimed at improved mobility and accessibility, pedestrian and bicycle safety.

Norwich received $599,887 to either refurbish or install new sidewalks on the stretch that includes the area in front of the Samuel Huntington School, several commercial businesses, a commuter parking lot and residential side streets. West Town Street also is state Route 642.

Public Works Director Patrick McLaughlin said he applied for the competitive grant in 2020 but did not receive it. A month ago, he was contacted by officials at the state Department of Transportation offering the grant. Gov. Ned Lamont announced the Norwich grant Thursday, along with 16 other grants totaling $8.2 million to cities and towns across the state.

“A lot of that section doesn’t have sidewalks,” McLaughlin said. “Some sections do, but they’re in very bad shape.”

There is no required city match for the grant, except for design costs, which should be under $100,000, McLaughlin said. If the total project cost is higher than the grant, he said the city would use money from the voter-approved road improvement bond to pay for the difference.

Work will not be done until spring of 2023, McLaughlin said.

c.bessette@theday.com