Chatham County has been awarded $245,255 in federal stimulus funding, which will be used to install sidewalks and landscaping on US 15-501 from the Cole Park commercial area to the Orange County line. A community meeting on the proposed project is scheduled for August 5 at 6:30 pm at Captain John's Dockside Restaurant located at Cole Park.

Adjacent property owners have been notified through the county's Planning Division in the Sustainable Communities Development Department, but other interested businesses or residents also may attend the community meeting.

"This is an important step in making it easier for people to walk to popular destinations, instead of driving, while also preserving or enhancing our scenic features through landscaping," said Sally Kost, vice chair of the Board of Commissioners.

The sidewalk and landscaping would begin north of Manns Chapel Road and would continue past the UNC Park and Ride Lot. The project will be on the east side of the highway, within the existing right-of-way for US 15-501.

According to the Planning Division, the sidewalk will be 5,300 feet long and five feet wide. It will meet federal standards so that disabled residents can use it.

The county received the federal stimulus funds through a regional transportation planning organization, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization, which includes part of Chatham County. Kost represents the commissioners on the planning organization's advisory board.