KENT – An extensive paving and sidewalk project at Kent Center School is on target to finish by the first day of school, project leaders said.
Sam Herrick, the business manager for the Region One school district, reported on July 30 that the project was within budget and on schedule to be completed before students return Aug. 25.
The long-planned project involves replacing aging pavement and sidewalks throughout the school grounds, as well as along adjacent sections of Judd Avenue and Elizabeth Street.
Herrick said the project’s primary goal is safety, not aesthetics, by creating safer conditions for students, staff and visitors. He said the improvements are expected to remain functional for decades.
Herrick said the town roads were included in the project to make a smoother transition between the roadways and the freshly paved school campus, while saving time and money. “We gain some efficiencies by having it done that way,” he said, noting that it made more sense to handle both repaving efforts when the equipment was already in place.
North Canaan’s Allied Engineering is managing the project, and the paving is being handled by Bridgeport’s Waters Paving. KCS Facilities Manager Bill Hurley has served as the school’s on-site coordinator.
The project was entirely town funded, with a total cost of approximately $620,000.
Herrick said this project, like other major school renovations, is meant to last decades. “These are projects that get done every 25 to 30 years,” he said. “It’s not something we’re going to be looking to redo in the near future.”
