SUMMERDALE, Ala. — Summerdale received $441,173.51 to construct new sidewalks in the town.

The money comes from the “Safe Routes to School” program which is

administered by the Alabama Department of Transportation.

According to a map provided by Summerdale Mayor David Wilson, the new sidewalks will loop around Summerdale School, go up a portion of Jefferson and Jackson Avenues. The new children’s “Splash Pad Park” on East Second Street will also link to the sidewalk system The planned work will also put sidewalks on a portion of Second Street and will also complete a link on First Street to the post office.

Wilson was understandably excited and pleased. The grants were awarded in late July and the town has not had time to go to bid on the project. Work will begin after school starts.

“This is going to give our kids a safe route to school,” said Wilson. He recalled at least one incident, fortunately not fatal, of a boy on a scooter being struck by car.

“We have kids walking in the middle of the road,” said Mark Pumphrey, principal of Summerdale Elementary School. The school serves children from kindergarten to eighth grade, and has about 500 students.

And it’s not just day-to-day traffic that concerns Pumphrey.

“The school goes on a number of walking field trips, especially at the end of the year,” said Pumphrey.

Students make their way to Town Hall, the library and other points in the community during the field trips.

And pedestrians of all ages will benefit as well, pointed out town council member Norma Giles.

“My children are older now, but people exercising will like this, too. I like to walk and it will be great having sidewalks.”

All of Giles’ children went to Summerdale School, and she’s glad that the new sidewalks will allow today’s youngsters to “get to the library to use the computer there” safely.

“It will be much better on foggy mornings,” she added.

Safety of students and pedestrians was the main concern of council member Travis Townsend. “Safety is the main thing. There is a lot of use between the school and library.”

Wilson thanked state Sen. Trip Pittman, and representatives Joe Faust and Stephen McMillian for their help in getting the grant.

“The successful grant application was a collaboration between the Town and the Baldwin County Board of Education,” said Wilson in a prepared statement.

The statement singled out Pumphrey and the Summerdale School Parent Teacher Organization for their help.

“This is going to help a whole lot with public safety,” said Police Chief Dwain Riebeling.