By Evan Johnson
PROCTOR—Cyclists and pedestrians in the town of Proctor are looking for a safe way to get around, and in the coming months, a new bike path may become a reality.
Last year, the town received a $27,000 VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian Program grant to perform a scoping/feasibility study for shared use bicycle and pedestrian paths that would connect the village center, the terminus of the Pine Hill Carriage Trail at the skating rink, and Beaver Pond.
At a public meeting on Feb. 8, residents viewed the resulting scoping study report prepared by Dufresne Corp., P.C., which included resource impacts, right-of-way impacts, utility impacts, cost and other factors.
While residents agreed on the need for a safe place to ride or walk, Proctor Town Manager Stan Wilbur said most of the discussion centered on how the project would be paid for.
The project will now go on to the state for approval. If approved, the town can pursue a design and construction grants available from VTrans that become available in fall and July. “The question isn’t what we’re going to do, it’s how we’re going to pay for it,” Wilbur said.
