Vienna to build more sidewalks using Robinson Trust funds this spring

Vienna is dipping into its sidewalk trust funds again.

During its March 21 meeting, the Vienna Town Council approved spending $261,448 to build sidewalks along two residential streets using money from the Robinson Trust Sidewalk Initiative, which was established by the late councilmember Maud Robinson’s estate after her death in 2019.

The newly authorized funds will go toward installing:

• Approximately 575 linear feet of concrete sidewalk on the north side of Adahi Road SE between Park and Glyndon streets
• Approximately 680 linear feet of concrete sidewalk on the south or even-numbered side of Cherry Street SW between Courthouse Road and Cottage Street

Both projects will include construction on concrete driveway entrances and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps.

Awarded to the Sterling-based company Arthur Construction Co., Inc., the funds consist of $117,228 for the Cherry Street project, $144,220 for Adahi, and a 15% contingency.

Construction on Cherry Street is expected to start at the end of April, with work on the Adahi sidewalk coming after that, according to project manager Alsina Ervin.

The Robinson Trust initiative launched in February 2020 with $7 million that the Town of Vienna is required to spend on new sidewalks for streets that already have curbs and gutters. The town estimates that the funds will cover about 3.3 miles of added sidewalks.

Faced with a fall 2024 deadline for spending the money, the town council approved construction funds for four projects in April 2021. They were all completed by the end of last year.

During that April meeting, the council also advanced nine other projects to the design or engineering study phase:

• Alma Street SE — Delano Drive to Follin Lane
• Birch Street SW — Battle Street to Plum Street
• Blackstone Terrace NW — Holmes Drive to Lawyers Road
• Charles Street SE — Locust Street to Branch Road
• Cherry Circle SW — Cottage Street to End
• Elmar Drive SE/SW — DeSale Street to Park Street
• Oak Street SW — Birch Street to Center Street
• Symphony Circle SW — Melody Lane to End
• Timber Lane SW — Tapawingo Road to Harmony Drive

“The other projects are in a preliminary stage and have not been approved by Town Council,” Ervin said.

The Alma Street project in particular has encountered some opposition from residents, but there is no indication right now that that will prevent them from getting approved once the designs are completed.