City of Albany to begin eastside sidewalk project

ALBANY, Ga. – The City of Albany is working on a three and a half million dollar project to bring sidewalks to one of its busier streets. Something residents in east Albany say is sorely needed.

Ward One Commissioner Jon Howard says that decades of few, if any sidewalks on East Broad Avenue, the need to have them to protect pedestrians and drivers is absolutely necessary.

“I think it’s going to benefit the community of course. When the city and county was designed numbers of years ago, they didn’t have sidewalks. They just had ditches, and curbs, and gutters, and we’ve found that it’s unsightly…” said Jon Howard, Ward 1 Commissioner, City of Albany.

We spoke with someone who’s lived in the eastern portion of Albany for more than 40 years, resident, Cleo Spence…

He says that with a school not far up the road, not having sidewalks at this point is becoming increasingly dangerous.

“…It really needs some sidewalks. It really needs to be put out here. Cause I’m getting scared sometimes when I’m driving, cause folks be walking all in the streets and stuff. And, I’ll be glad when they get through with it.” said Cleo Spence, Albany resident.

As Commissioner Howard tells us it’s a major risk as it is for large portions of east broad to not have sidewalks.

“In the last several years, two or three individuals have been killed, whether they were in a wheelchair or walking, because there was no sidewalk. At the same time, when there’s no sidewalk. At the same time, when you have no sidewalk, and are walking on the side of the road, sometimes drivers lose control or they’re not aware of what’s going on,” said Jon Howard, Ward 1 Commissioner, City of Albany.

And, Cleo Spence hopes that the start of this plan for east broad’s sidewalk project will sour on more infrastructure changes.

“Other areas of Albany need sidewalks. Not only sidewalks, but need curbs and gutters. And the city do need those ditches on the side of the road. They need to cover them ditches up. Put pipes in them or something,” said Cleo Spence, Albany resident.

As work gets underway to bring proper sidewalks to east Albany, both Commissioner Howard and residents are trying to prevent traffic accidents while bringing the east side up to a proper standard.

Commissioner Howard says that the East Broad Avenue sidewalk project has a tentative fall 2025 completion date.

Brian Roche reporting.

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