The old sidewalk has been blocked for three weeks

Oct. 14. By Dave Vieser. It looks like pedestrians and cyclists are out of luck when it comes to getting a walkway on West Catawba in front of the Junker apartment project site where White House Gardens used to be.

Three weeks have gone by since Cornelius Today first reported on this problem, yet there is still no walkway—permanent or temporary—in front of the project, forcing pedestrians and cyclists to walk in a ditch or next to traffic in an accident-prone stretch of road.

Using the other side of West Catawba is no help either, since there is no sidewalk on that side.

Pedestrian no go

Town officials say they are aware of the situation, but it could be weeks before anything happens.

Assistant Town Manager Tyler Beardsley said the developer is relocating utilities along West Catawba, a process that could take 6-8 weeks.

Once that’s complete, they will install the new sidewalk. A temporary fix, possibly a gravel path, could be difficult, town officials said.