An excessive expenditure
The state Department of Transportation will open bids in December for a Safe Routes to School project in Waynesburg. At one time it seemed like a good project, but now it seems almost trivial because of the reduction in the project’s scope.
The project, funded by a $442,500 grant, will involve replacing the sidewalk and curbs on the south side of Lincoln Street on the four blocks spanning from Morgan Street to West Street. When initially proposed, the project was aimed at making the route from Margaret Bell Miller Middle School to the north side of Waynesburg safer for children walking or bicycling to school.
The scope of the project had to be reduced, however, after the borough received estimates of its costs.
We’re sure property owners along Lincoln, at least on one side of the street, will be happy with their new sidewalks. We just think spending $523,761, once the borough chips in about $81,000, is excessive for a project that probably won’t make the route any safer for students, which is the intent of the grant. Some students undoubtedly follow Lincoln on their way to and from school, but it’s also common to see them, both before and after school, walking along Morgan and High streets. We really don’t expect council to nix the project, most of which is being funded by state money that can only be used for this designated purpose. It’s just a shame the borough can’t use the money on something more important, such as the proposed $4 million sewer system improvement project now in the works.