New sidewalks will be constructed along sections of Summerhill Road (SH 93) and Richmond Road (FM 559) in Texarkana next year according to plans approved in December by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

“Federal money through TxDOT’s Statewide Curb Ramp and Pedestrian Improvement Program is providing much of the funding for the new sidewalks and TxDOT will be overseeing the construction work,” said Paul Wong, area engineer for TxDOT in Texarkana. “The new sidewalks will be constructed on Richmond Road between North Robison Road and College Drive, and along two sections of Summerhill Road between Meadow Lane and Kennedy Lane and between US 82 and West 10th Street.”

The sidewalks will vary in width from 4 to 6 feet wide. They also will include wheelchair ramps to make them meet all Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

J.R. Pope Company, Inc. of Texarkana was awarded the contract for the construction project with a bid of $1.6 million. The city of Texarkana contributed $37,121 towards the project and the rest is covered by 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent state funds.

Work on the project should begin in March and take about 18 months to complete, Wong said.

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