New sidewalk possible at Oakland Gravel Road near Edris Drive

Construction for a new sidewalk could be coming to a street in Northeast Columbia next spring.

The proposed six-foot-wide sidewalk would be located on Oakland Gravel Road between Blue Ridge and Edris Drive.

Only one side of the road currently has a sidewalk, causing people to either walk along the road or walk on people’s property if they need to use the other side of the street.

Construction is planned for the spring of 2018 and is estimated to cost $311,500 and will be funded by the capital improvement sales tax.

The city said in order to reduce impact on trees and yards, a short retaining wall will be constructed along some of the properties at the back of the sidewalk. Portions of several residential driveways will be reconstructed and one fence will be removed and relocated with the design.

Melba Shaffer, a resident on Oakland Gravel Road, is opposed to the idea of adding another sidewalk on Oakland Gravel. Shaffer told ABC 17 News along with the project ruining her yard, she doesn’t believe it’s needed.

“There are other places in town where there isn’t a sidewalk on either side. At least we have a sidewalk on one side,” Shaffer said.

Joseph Harper, a resident on Oakland Gravel near Edris Drive, said he wasn’t thrilled at first with the idea of having a sidewalk near his house. Harper said because of a visit from the city’s engineering staff, he changed his mind.

“I started talking with the engineers and they were really nice, showed me the layout and just started explaining what they wanted to do,” he said. “It was nice to see them caring about the residents that it’s going to affect and talking with them instead of just having a meeting and saying this is what’s going to happen,” Harper said.

At Columbia’s City Council meeting Monday night, the city council is set to approve a public hearing date for Sept. 5.