Residents in Fountain Hills can look forward to smoother strolls and safer streets as a federally funded sidewalk infill project kicks off next month. As reported by the Town of Fountain Hills, the initiative aims to patch up gaps along Palisades Boulevard and connecting streets, making the pedestrian experience in the area a more pleasant one.

With a generous $2 million to work with, courtesy of a federal grant, the project will set in motion improvements between Fountain Hills and Saguaro Blvd., and on Saguaro Blvd. up to Colony Drive and El Lago Boulevard near Saguaro Boulevard. The overhaul includes an 8-foot meandering sidewalk, driveway enhancements, and several other upgrades. Walking down the street, adjustments to utilities and the construction of curbs and gutters will be notably visible to pedestrians.

The Arizona Department of Transportation, teaming up with the Town, has its hands full with a lengthy list of chores. From curbs to gutters designed to enhance drainage, adjustments to current utility setups, restoration of greenery, road modifications, to the replacement of signs and the road's fresh striping, there's no stone left unturned. Additionally, new retaining walls will bolster the structural integrity of the revamped walkways.

Expected to span nine months starting from May 2024, construction work will be a weekday affair, operating from the early hours of 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. While workers get busy with the upgrades, residents should anticipate some roadway squeeze with lane restrictions. In keeping its citizens in the loop, the Town of Fountain Hills has committed to delivering timely updates on traffic disruptions and closures through various channels, including email notifications, their project web page, social media, and local media outlets like the Fountain Hills Times.