City secures grant to install curb and sidewalk on Balsam
<p>Photo taken from the intersection of Balsam and Custer, south side looking west. Next street west is Gallatin</p>
School children walking to Libby Elementary will have a safer transit next fall, if tentative plans come to fruition.
The sidewalk and curbs are part of a Montana Department of Transportation program to improve sidewalks in order to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards and will run from Gallatin Street to Main Avenue along the north side of Balsam Street, approximately one half-mile of sidewalk.
Libby Mayor Doug Roll said the city had applied for the project and grant funding in 2013, and was awarded the grant but funding and engineering delays have hampered the project, which has now been tentatively scheduled for fall 2015.
Montana Department of Transportation spokeswoman Lori Ryan anticipated no new Right-of-Way restrictions or utility relocations as part of the project.
The grant award does require matching contributions from the city, but Roll said to the best of his recollection the city’s portion will come in the form of labor and equipment, not cash.
“We’re trying to use the money available to benefit the community. This project will help make a safe passage way for children going to the elementary school,” Roll said.