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Better sidewalks needed on Creston's Railway Bouelvard

The new sidewalk at Railway Boulevard-Northwest Boulevard intersection stops at railroad track, says Eunice Burke...

To the Editor:

The town must be aware of how many residents are handicapped or elderly, with motorized devices for shopping.

Many live below the tracks and only have access to shops downtown via Cedar Street and the paved trail behind Extra Foods. It is pretty well impossible to get up the stairs by Cresteramics or the stairs leading up from Gleaners.

On Railway Boulevard, there is a narrow dirt pathway on the south side of the curb, which is well worn. I’m pretty sure this has been developed by walkers or bicycles in an attempt to keep off the road.

The new intersection and sidewalks at Pine Street and Northwest Boulevard are excellent. However, the sidewalk stops at the railroad track. There is no way a scooter, wheelchair or baby carriage can get up or down past that point. Well, those with a strong will to take a life-threatening risk can (and do) get on the road instead, rather than going all the way to Cedar Street. This is very dangerous.

I realize it is way too narrow to put a new sidewalk in there as is. Could the road be made a wee bit wider on the north side so that a sidewalk could be built on the south side? That way, two vehicles plus a scooter, wheelchair or carriage all on the road at the same time will be much safer.

Eunice Burke

Creston