MAYFIELD - The state Department of Transportation will move forward with the installation of sidewalks on Route 30 despite opposition from Fulton County and the town.
The DOT is scheduled to begin construction of a roundabout at Routes 29 and 30 in spring 2010. Work should conclude by the end of that summer, said Steve Zwyiak, Region 2 design engineer for the DOT.
The project will cost more than $5 million.
During the roundabout project, the DOT will install sidewalks along about a half-mile of Route 30.
County and Mayfield town officials expressed discontent over the plan, saying there are not enough pedestrians to warrant sidewalks.
Mayfield Supervisor Herb McLain said the town will be required to maintain the sidewalks, which will be an added expense.
"I disagree, but it's up to them," he said. "I don't think they care [what I think]."
McLain said the DOT cited a state law that allows the DOT to turn ownership of sidewalks over to the municipality the sidewalks are in.
"It might take me the rest of my life, but I'm going to try and get that law changed," he said.
"The town is responsible for snow removal. I don't think I can jackhammer them," he said jokingly.
Zwyiak said the DOT conducted a study of the area and determined there would be enough pedestrians at the intersection to warrant the sidewalks.
He said installing sidewalks is part of a larger trend of installing sidewalks at many new road construction projects across the state.
"With energy costs, I think more and more people are utilizing sidewalks," he said. "In general, we're trying to make it more of a quality community."
Kayleigh Karutis covers rural Fulton County. She can be reached at ruralnews@leaderherald.com.