Sure, sometimes a sidewalk is a sidewalk is a sidewalk.
But in the case of a new sidewalk and pedestrian footbridge on state Route 364 near the Finger Lakes Community College campus, it’s much more than just a new sidewalk, according to Ontario County Administrator Chris DeBolt.
This “transformational” project makes two regional Finger Lakes assets in FLCC and Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center, or CMAC, more accessible to residents, cyclists, students, and CMAC concert attendees and the commercial areas of state Routes 5 and 20, DeBolt said.
“It’s a critical connection,” DeBolt said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 22 for the sidewalk and bridge, which took five years to complete.
More about Ontario County project in Canandaigua
The more than $2 million pedestrian footbridge involves a state Transportation Alternatives Program grant of $1.6 million, Ontario ounty and town of Canandaigua funding and collaboration, and $300,000 in private funding through the philanthropic Sands Family Foundation.
Here’s what residents get: 2,400 feet of sidewalk and bike path, improved lighting and drainage enhancements along Route 364 near CMAC.
The collaboration and vision for the project, as well as hard work, helped make the project come to be, according to Richard Sands, the billionaire former chairman and CEO of Constellation Brands Inc.
“It’s not every community that works so well together to make things like this happen,” Sands said.
Safety for FLCC students, CMAC concertgoers
State Sen. Pam Helming, who was Canandaigua town supervisor when the project was discussed early on, said Route 364, also known as East Lake Road, is a busy road on an average day.
It’s much busier on CMAC concert nights, and the sidewalk will enable concertgoers to walk safely to and from the venue, according to current Canandaigua Town Supervisor Don Cotter, who has witnessed people walking in the roadway on concert nights.
“This is a great investment in public safety,” Helming said.
More about the footbridge
A highlight of the project is the new pedestrian footbridge, which was fabricated in two pieces in northeastern Alabama, transported to Canandaigua, and assembled onsite before being placed on its abutments —a logistical feat that reflects the complexity and ambition of the overall project, accordig to DeBolt.
Fishers Associates served as the engineering firm of record.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. He can be reached at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New Canandaigua bridge boosts safety for pedestrians
Reporting by Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | USA TODAY Network
