Louisville receives $1.5M to improve downtown pedestrian conditions

Sidewalks will comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 30, 2015) — Gov. Steve Beshear today presented a ceremonial check representing $1.5 million in federal funding for a project to improve conditions in downtown Louisville for pedestrians and people with disabilities.

When the work is completed, sidewalks in the project area— South Fourth Street between West Chestnut and Broadway—will be repaired or rebuilt to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and to encourage pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Current conditions, including deteriorated pavers, have significantly limited ADA mobility.

“Projects such as these enhance a community’s transportation choices and therefore enhance the quality of life for citizens of the community,” Beshear said. “This award furthers the City of Louisville’s larger plan for making it easier for pedestrians to get around downtown.”

The project area is near a number of non-profit agencies—the Salvation Army, Volunteers of America, KentuckianaWorks and the Housing Partnership – that work with the disabled, veterans, the elderly, the poor and minorities.

Other work is to include enlarged tree wells, restriping of pavement on Fourth Street, and there will be parking on both sides of the street.

“South Fourth Street is a valued asset to our downtown economic development,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “Our goal is to attract people living, working, shopping and dining in downtown Louisville and this investment from the state helps to make that continual mission possible.”

The funding is through the federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), a reimbursement program administered by the Office of Local Programs in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Department of Rural and Municipal Aid.

TAP assists communities in funding transportation improvements such as safe bicycle and pedestrian facilities, scenic routes, beautification, and other investments. Projects may be a mix of elements and accessible to the general public or targeted to a broad segment of the general public.

TAP enables the local government to recoup as much as 80 percent of the cost of a project. The City of Louisville is contributing approximately $400,000 of local funding.