Sidewalk near schools unveiled

After months of construction and years of gathering money for the project, a ribbon cutting was held in front of Woodbridge Senior High School for new sidewalks along Old Bridge Road.

"It was really exciting to finally cut the ribbon on the Old Bridge sidewalk project from Oakwood east to Old Bridge Elementary school," said Prince William County Supervisor Mike May, R-Occoquan.

An asphalt trail was constructed in front of the high school and Old Bridge Elementary School. A cement sidewalk was build from the high school to the eastern end of Oakwood Drive, where it connected to sidewalks already in place that extend the length of Old Bridge to Va. 123.

The $750,000 project was paid for with county Transportation and Roadway Improvement Program funds that are allotted to each county supervisor for smaller neighborhood projects that wouldn't be included in a road bond or a state project.

May and several of the Occoquan supervisors before him had been putting a portion of their TRIP funds aside for the Old Bridge sidewalk project for years.

"This new sidewalk represents another important step in our efforts to make Old Bridge Road, our community's 'main street,' a pedestrian-friendly corridor," May said. "The new sidewalk is important both as a community amenity for pedestrians and also as a public safety amenity."

May was joined at the event by fellow supervisors John Jenkins, D-Neabsco; Maureen Caddigan, R-Dumfries; and Board Chairman Corey Stewart, R-at large. Also in attendance were former Delegate Dave Brickley, acting County Executive Susan Roltsch and County Transportation Division Chief Tom Blaser.

Three student leaders from the high school also were on hand to help cut the ribbon.

"I was particularly pleased to be able to celebrate the sidewalk's opening with some of our Woodbridge High School student leaders," May said.

It is great to see our students walking along a safe pedestrian pathway instead of the dangerous gravel shoulder that many students used in the past prior to the new sidewalk's construction," he said.

Those gathered also had a little fun following the ceremony with some chalk. They used it to draw and sign their names on the new walkway.

"The chalk, of course, washed away with the next rain-but it was a fun way to celebrate something that will be a great community amenity for Lake Ridge," May said.

Staff writer Aileen Streng can be reached at 703-878-8010.