Sidewalks often are damaged over the years by tree roots or vehicles, and broken sidewalks can discourage residents from using them.
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted 6 to 1 on Wednesday, May 4, to use $20 million in American Rescue Plan funds to repair broken sidewalks throughout the county.
Hillsborough County Public Works maintains more than 3,200 miles of sidewalks with a budget of only about $550,000 a year to perform repairs. The $20 million approved by the BOCC dramatically increases the number of neighborhoods Hillsborough can improve by repairing and replacing broken sidewalks.
Repairing sidewalks provides many benefits, including improved safety, greater mobility, and healthier communities. By further separating people from traffic, sidewalks also reduce pedestrian injuries, supporting Vision Zero goals.
About the Hillsborough County American Rescue Plan Investment Plan
The Hillsborough County American Rescue Plan Investment Plan, approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on Sept. 1, 2021, provides a framework for investing the $285 million in federal Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in the community. The funding will support vital projects throughout the county related to water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure; public health response; negative economic impacts; and revenue replacement for certain government services. Projects funded by Hillsborough County must meet the guidelines established by the federal government while addressing the County's unique community needs and reflecting the BOCC's collective values in addressing residents' needs. The sidewalk repairs are one of the programs funded under this plan by the BOCC.
Original source can be found here.
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