BY MICHAEL ACKER
Staff Writer
Seven-year-old Michael Bertrand makes his way to Wilson School last week as construction workers install sidewalks on Whitehead Avenue to provide for a safer route for children. At left, construction continues to bring sidewalks to Whitehead Avenue. SAYREVILLE — Students walking to Wilson School will no longer have to watch out for cars as they trudge along the street.
A new sidewalk is expected to be completed along Whitehead Avenue in the next two to three weeks, borough officials said.
Wilson School Principal Georgia Baumann said the lack of a sidewalk on this stretch of the road has been a concern for parents and staff.
“We felt a need for the sidewalk,” Baumann said. “We have many children who walk to school, and there were concerns that I am sure people went to the borough about.”
Construction crews began work to install the sidewalk on March 20. Students in kindergarten through third grade who walk along Whitehead Avenue to the 75-year-old school building have to walk on the street due to the lack of sidewalks.
PHOTOS BY SCOTT PILLING staff “It is a nice thing that it is going to happen,” said Baumann. “It will be safer for everybody to walk.”
Borough Business Administrator Jeff Bertrand said the first phase of the overall sidewalk project, which should be completed in April, will cost $38,940.
Bertrand added that it is being funded with grant money from the state Department of Transportation’s Safe Street to School program.
The sidewalk originates on Dane Street, near the school parking lot. When the first phase is complete, the sidewalk will extend down Whitehead Avenue to Hart Street.
The second phase of construction will be funded by a separate $100,000 grant from the state that will pay for the installment of sidewalks on Whitehead Avenue from Hart Street down to William Street.
The governing body applied for the grant in late 2004 and was awarded it soon after, Bertrand said.
Construction began with excavation, and workers are now in the process of forming curbs.
Bertrand said that another benefit of the new sidewalk, aside from greater safety for students who walk to the school, is that students can use the sidewalk during fire drill evacuations. Students will be able to exit the building and line up on Whitehead Avenue rather than having to go to Dane Street.
The Wilson School is located in an older section of the borough that is known as “Tangletown.” The neighborhood earned the name for the way the streets were laid out, according to Bertrand, who lives in that section. The design of the roads dates back to when dirt roads were traversed by horse and carriage.
Tangletown extends from Smith Street to Main Street along Washington Road, and extends northward along Main Street to Haag and William streets.