Sidewalks Finally Coming to Tenbrook Road

Tenbrook Road will finally have sidewalks thanks to a $250,000 grant from the Missouri Safe Routes to School program.

The road ends at Jeffco Boulevard at the entrance to Fox School District campus, which houses Fox High School and Fox Middle School. Many students use Tenbrook Road to walk to and from school. 

Arnold first applied for the grant in 2008, but did not receive it, said Christie Hull Bettale, acting public works director. The sidewalks will be installed on at least one side of the street from Jeffco Boulevard to near Woodridge Lane, depending on where utilities are located.

"There will also be pedestrian improvements to the intersection at Tenbrook and Jeffco," Hull Bettale said. "The sidewalks will provide a safe walking trail. Right now, there's a path in the grass along Tenbrook from students from to and from school."

Ward 3 Councilman Paul Freese said he and former Councilwoman Christine "Cricky" Lang tag-teamed the project over the last three years. Ms. Lang died in February.

Freese said getting sidewalks has been a passion of his for years. He said many of the older subdivisions in Arnold don't have sidewalks.

"I guess sidewalks weren't a concept when the subdivisions were built," he said. "The most important reason we need the sidewalks is for student safety. Tenbrook has a dangerous terrain, and it is difficult to walk."

Freese said the sidewalks will also improve the quality of life for residents in the area, allowing them to walk or run safely and to get to and from local businesses on foot.

The city is currently in the process of sending out a request for qualifications for engineering services, Hull Bettale said. Construction is expected to begin in the spring or summer of 2014.

Patch was unable to reach officials with the Fox School District for comment.