Pedestrians will soon be able to travel the length of N. Chancery Street on a sidewalk.

“Sidewalk construction is roughly 80 percent complete,” said McMinnville Public Works Department assistant director Brad Hennessee. “Construction schedules are often altered this time of the year by weather and our crews are also adjusting to meet the needs of the residents and businesses affected. We hope to finish within 30 days.”

Once construction is complete and consistently warmer weather settles into the area, focus will turn to ADA compliance – with the addition of truncated dome pads or tiles that aid the visually impaired – and the necessary striping.

“Those are the only things we know we’ll need at this point,” said Hennessee. “The entire project will be reviewed when construction is completed for anything pertaining to ADA that might have been missed.”

The goal is to install a sidewalk from the bypass to the intersection of New Smithville Highway, Chancery, and Hobson streets.

City officials attempted to widen the street several years ago with a turning lane and sidewalk. However, that effort failed. Attention turned to installation of a sidewalk due to the amount of foot traffic with individuals walking to Walmart.