$800,000 Federal Grant to Help Fund New Sidewalk in West Tuscaloosa

The city of Tuscaloosa's grant writing team can notch another win after being awarded $800,000 in federal funds to add new sidewalk in West Tuscaloosa.

The grant, announced Wednesday morning, comes from the Federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program, or TAP, and is expected to help fund the addition of about 800 fett of sidewalk beginning at the new Benjamin Barnes YMCA.

The city said the new walking path will run along Ash Street, turn north on Pine Street and end at Elm Street near the recently updated Kaulton Park.

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The project will connect that community asset back to the Barnes YMCA and the McDonald Hughes Community Center, making west Tuscaloosa safer for non-drivers including kids, senior citizens and wheelchair users.

The city will also add two ADA-compliant reserved handicap parking spaces on Ash Street during this work.

The federal grant covers more than half of the project's $1.2 million cost, and requires a $200,000 match from the city, which will also cover the remaining $225,978 estimated cost.

“I’m thrilled about the receipt of this TAP grant for the Ash Street Sidewalk Project,” District Two Councilor Raevan Howard said in a press release. “This project will have a resounding impact on the safety, accessibility and quality of life for residents of District Two and the entirety of West Tuscaloosa.”

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox also heralded the achievement in a statement.

“Ash Street is a vital corridor in our community,” Mayor Walt Maddox said. “The improvements made possible by this grant align with the City’s long-term goals to increase walkability and ensure the safety of all road-users.”

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