Oregon to add walks along Starr

10/8/2008

Expect a little more traffic along Starr Avenue this month.

The city of Oregon is building sidewalks on both sides of the avenue between Wheeling Street and Coy Road and on a number of side streets leading up to Starr.

Funded by a $150,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation, the sidewalks should make it safer for children walking to and from Fassett Middle School, Deputy City Engineer Rodney Shultz said.

Because of a lack of sidewalks in the area, children have been forced to walk in the bike lane, Mr. Shultz said.

To avoid slow traffic, the city is recommending drivers avoid the area over the next few weeks if they can.

"Starr Avenue is congested as it is, especially during school hours," Mr. Shultz. The construction "is not going to make the situation any better, obviously."

Parking will be allowed at Fassett Middle School and along the curbed streets extending south off Starr.

Some of the construction work will occur within people's driveways.

Those driveways will be marked by a pink 'X,' and owners will be notified 24 hours before work starts.

The project is scheduled for completion by Oct. 30.

For more information, contact the city's Department of Public Service.