Council awards design contract for South Shore shared‑use path; project expected to link Kwik Trip to Walmart
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Summary
The council approved a $228,039 design contract for the South Shore shared‑use path under a Transportation Alternatives Program grant; councilors said the total project could approach half a million dollars and noted state coverage of 80% of construction costs.
The Watertown Common Council on July 1 approved a resolution to award design services for the South Shore Street shared‑use path to Rusch‑Baderman Company (name in transcript RH Baderman Company Inc.) for $228,039 under a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.
Alder Arnett said the project will connect the Kwik Trip area to the Walmart corridor, adding much‑needed pedestrian infrastructure where residents currently walk along high‑speed roadways. Arnett and others noted the design contract is only the first step; construction costs will follow and were estimated in discussion to bring the overall project cost to close to or above $500,000. City staff said the state will cover 80% of construction costs through the TAP grant if awarded.
Council members suggested the remaining funds in TID 4 might be a reasonable local source for matching dollars; no formal TID reallocation was decided at the July 1 meeting. The council approved the design award on a voice vote; the public‑works sponsor noted the project had been pursued by the city for several years and represented a long‑sought pedestrian connection.
Why it matters: the path addresses public‑safety concerns where pedestrians currently use a high‑speed corridor and supports future development patterns by improving active‑transportation links. Design work will move forward, followed by construction scheduling and funding decisions that will require local matching dollars.