ANDOVER — Of the $30 million in local public projects eligible for proposed federal economic stimulus funding, more than a third is for sidewalk improvements.
A portion of the roughly $800 billion stimulus package proposed by President-elect Barak Obama is expected to be funneled to cities and towns through state governments. Last week, communities submitted lists of "shovel ready" projects to Gov. Deval Patrick.
In all, Andover submitted 18 projects. The two largest: $6.1 million for sidewalk reconstruction and $4.6 million for new sidewalk construction.
Despite the development of a townwide sidewalk master plan, Andover Assistant Town Manager Steve Bucuzzo said little money has been included in annual operating budgets to maintain sidewalks.
The proposed stimulus package is expected to target the nation's aging infrastructure, including bridges, roadways, public buildings, and water and sewer systems.
Andover is also requesting $4.5 million for roadway paving and reconstruction, $1.3 million for town bridge repairs, and $1.6 million for water main improvements.
Despite already being funded at Town Meeting last year, a $4 million repair to a major sewer pipe in town was also included.
Other local public projects that may be eligible for federal funds include:
*$2.35 million for removal of dams along the Shawsheen River
*$1.8 million for the construction of athletic fields on Blanchard Street
*$1.1 million for a culvert at Fish Brook
*$930,000 for energy-efficient lighting in public buildings
*$600,000 for a new parks and grounds division building
*$320,000 for a boiler at Sanborn Elementary School
*$300,000 for a walking path along the Shawsheen River
*$300,000 for public-safety boat ramp access to the Merrimack River and Haggetts Pond
*$200,000 for an underground water storage cistern in the south of town
*$150,000 for drainage improvements at Andover High School
*$150,000 for a Shawsheen River flood study.
