East Lyme ― The Public Works department hopes a formal sidewalk plan will help secure grant funding for some of the projects being proposed.

Town engineer Alex Klose said the Pedestrian Facilities Management Plan will guide maintenance, repair and replacement of the town’s existing 15.4 miles of sidewalk, in addition to construction of handicapped-accessible sidewalks and crosswalks going forward.

The public comment period is open through Jan. 27.

Klose said the draft under consideration is a way to formalize what’s already in spreadsheets, budget lines and other documents across multiple departments.

The document includes recommendations from the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development for several lengthy new stretches of sidewalk in areas from the Niantic section of town to Flanders, including Route 1, Route 161 and Black Point Road.

He said new sidewalks will require grant funding from agencies like the state Department of Transportation or the regional council of governments, which often ask for a dedicated sidewalk plan as part of an application.

Klose could not specify a list of priorities or a timetable for the proposed sidewalks.

“As far as developing new sidewalks, we plan to pursue various funding sources as they become available,” he said. He added it could take extra time since many of the sidewalks are on state roads that require additional DOT approvals.

It will take time to build all the sidewalks identified by the Planning Commission, according to the town engineer. He described the sidewalk plan as another vehicle to keep the town moving toward the commission’s goals.

The Plan of Conservation and Development stressed the importance of pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

“In many cases pedestrians can walk on sidewalks where available, although several key areas in town do not have adequate sidewalks,” the plan said. “Installing sidewalks in these areas will have substantial impact regarding safety.”

Klose said the public works department is planning to request roughly $25,000 a year for sidewalk maintenance and upgrades through the annual operations budget.

After the last comprehensive sidewalk inventory in 2021, the town spent $7,332.52 to shave down uneven sidewalks. Several sidewalk panels were replaced the next year.

“The intention of the Town is for outstanding issues in sidewalks to not persist for more than 12 months,” the plan said.

The plan highlights 24 sections of sidewalk that currently need repairs, including multiple areas on Bayview Avenue, Black Point Road, Grand Street and Route 161.

The sidewalk plan will also help ensure that improvements going forward address accessibility for those with disabilities. Federal requirements include providing curb ramps wherever walkways cross curbs in new construction or when existing crosswalks are altered.

Currently, the document shows 16 of 69 crosswalks in town lack the required ramps. The plan is to replace or install two accessible ramps a year until all intersections are compliant.

Klose said input received during the public comment period will be incorporated into the final plan when possible.

Comments may be directed to Klose at (860) 691-4112 or aklose@eltownhall.com, or mailed to Town of East Lyme, PO Box 519, 108 Pennsylvania Ave., Niantic, CT 06357

Proposed sidewalks include:

Route 161 south of Society Road to Roxbury Road

Black Point Road to Crescent Avenue at Central Avenue

East Pattagansett Road from Brook Road to Bush Hill Drive and to Route 161

Route 156 from Niantic Center School to Park Drive

Route 1 Complete from Mill Road to Pattagansett Lake Boat Launch

e.regan@theday.com