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<br />16 <br /> <br />GOAL 5.6: Provide for the increasing demand for transportation facilities while presen''ing and <br />enhancing the attractiveness of the environment. <br /> <br />The Canada Road Project was completed in January 2006 and the Bay Area Blvd. extension, <br />connecting Fairmont Parkway and Spencer Highway, opened in March 2006. The continuation of Bay <br />Area Blvd. by way of the Sens Road widening project is at 75% design. These projects will help provide <br />for the ever expanding vehicle miles driven per capita in La Porte and assist in easing the current demand <br />on other roadway facilities as well as provide new north/south corridors to and through La Porte - a <br />matter that has needed addressing for many years. In the case of Canada Road, the roadway construction <br />will allow for the building of the west side park thereby helping to ease any aesthetic blight that might be <br />created by the construction of Canada Road. All projects include an attractive street lighting scheme and <br />landscaping requirements to enhance the appearance of the City of La Porte. <br /> <br />GOAL 5.7: Establish and maintain a network of new and existing sidewalks as a component of <br />improved standards for City streets. <br /> <br />Where possible, new commercial and residential developments are required to construct sidewalks <br />along the frontage portions of their property. Per Article 6.07 of Chapter 6 of the PICM, sidewalks are <br />required on each side of all public streets. Given that the PICM is considered to be part of the <br />Development Ordinance, the Development Ordinance can be considered to have been modified to require <br />the construction of sidewalks with all new developments. Residential homeowners are required to <br />construct sidewalks for public maintenance in the public right-of-way whenever the roadside geometrics <br />allow for it. Through Budget Year 2005-2006, the City Council allocated $50,000 a year for sidewalk <br />maintenance. Being considered for budget year 2006-2007, an additional $50,000 may be allocated to <br />construct new sidewalks. The City is currently conducting a sidewalk inventory and analysis to set <br />priorities for new construction. <br /> <br />OBJ. 5.7a: Provide a safe and effective means to accommodate pedestrian traffic and prioritize <br />sidewalk improvement areas based upon type of street and adjacent land use. <br /> <br />The City is currently pursuing funding for the implementation of the June 2003 Bicycle and <br />Pedestrian Implementation Plan and where applicable the May 2002 Parks and Open Space Master Plan <br />in regards to pedestrian traffic and the layout of pedestrian pathways across the City. Recently, the <br />section of the pedestrian trail along East E Street was completely designed and is awaiting funding. Also, <br />the City is currently working out the details to design and install a pedestrian trail on the south side of <br />Fairmont Parkway to eventually link up to Pasadena's pedestrian trail system at the Pasadena Rodeo <br />grounds. The new Fairmont Railroad Overpass includes auxiliary lanes that could eventually be used to <br />convey foot or bicycle traffic over the railroad tracks. A pedestrian trail was recently constructed, <br />including a bridge over Little Cedar Bayou, to link the Fitness Center with the Little Cedar Bayou Wave <br />Pool and girl's softball complex. Lastly, the City and TXDOT were able to award and construct the Safe <br />Routes to School trail running north/south on the east side of South Broadway. <br />As previously mentioned, the City annually funds a sidewalk repair project that repairs tripping <br />hazards, installs or repairs wheelchair ramps as needed in previously identified locations and reconstructs <br />broken sidewalks as needed given the limited annual funds. There currently exist no funds for <br />construction of new sidewalks where none had previously existed but the issue is being considered by the <br />City Council in FY06-07. <br />An ongoing and continuous conditions assessment of sidewalks around the city is part of the <br />annual sidewalk repair program. City personnel investigate complaints on existing sidewalks, assign the <br />