Crosswalks getting redone just months after being finished because of safety hazards

The crosswalks at Eighth Street and Broadway are under construction again, just months after being finished.

Steve Sapp with Columbia Public Works says the crosswalks began to fall apart just 30 days after being constructed. And over the past few months, the damage has only gotten worse.

The original crosswalk construction was part of the Eighth Street beautification project. But the repairs on crosswalks go beyond looks — Sapp says they are fixing the crosswalks for safety reasons.

He says the deteriorated brick poses risks to both pedestrians and drivers that are crossing them. The brick could also pop car tires or fly into windshields if not properly secured, according to construction workers on the site.

The repairs will consist of shaving down the concrete base, installing a layer of asphalt for cushioning, and re-installing high-impact paver bricks over top.

The cost of the project has not yet been determined, but Sapp says his legal team is working to find the best solution so taxpayers will not have to pay for the crosswalk twice.

The construction is scheduled to be completed Oct. 14. While it is underway, the left-turn lanes from Broadway turning onto Eighth Street will be closed. Sapp urges drivers to use alternate routes or expect traffic delays.