Friday, 27 October 2006 00:46
Ione Gets A New Landmark
The City of Ione became the owners of a new footbridge yesterday as the engineered structure was installed across Sutter Creek directly west of the current Highway 104/Main Street/Preston Ave intersection. Originally scheduled for installation in the summer of 2007, the one hundred foot long bridge was first discussed as a federal “Safe Routes To School” Project in conjunction with city and developer funding 3 years ago. The project was a cooperative venture between the City, the developer of new homes in the Castle Oaks area, JTS Communities, and the owners of the adjacent shopping center, home to Claypool’s Market and Ione Pharmacy.
The project’s 90,000 dollar price tag was funded almost totally by JTS Communities because the project also serves as the stabilizing structure for new water lines crossing Sutter Creek that will serve the developer’s almost 700 hundred homes development. Another bonus to existing residents of Ione is increased water flow and pressure that will aid the City in safety issues such as increased water pressure for fire fighting. This summer the City will begin a companion project funded through the Federal Safe Routes To Schools program. The program request has been authorized by the appropriate governmental departments and will provide sidewalks, curbs, and gutters to existing walkways along Sacramento Street, Jackson Street and State Hwy 104/Preston Avenue. These walkways and sidewalks will connect to the new footbridge which will be handicap accessible. The new footbridge will provide a safe pedestrian pathway for students traveling between Ione Elementary and Ione Junior High School and the neighborhoods located across Sutter Creek from the schools, in addition to the benefits the city will receive from the additional water lines. According to City Engineer Roark Weber this project is an excellent example of a community working together for the betterment of all.
