PACKET 7 15 2025 website 2

Unverified text extraction. Check the original page for numbers, names, and layout.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agenda Item 
XI. E.   Hammerhill Road Sidewalk Discussion 
 
Councilmember Sherlin:  “Funds were approved a few years ago to install a 
sidewalk along Hammer Hill Road. In the October  2024 work session, Public 
Works advised the Council that Engineering was being worked on and 
recommendations were to follow later. For some reason this has been dropped and 
the Council needs to consider how to proceed with this project.” 
 
Overview 
The Hammerhill Road Sidewalk Project proposes the construction of approximately 2,200 linear 
feet of new sidewalk along Tellico Avenue, extending to Towanda Trail. The conceptual design 
includes a 5-foot-wide sidewalk without a grass buffer, with driveway crossings assumed at  12 
feet wide (for 16 total driveways). The project is scoped for concrete sidewalk installation with 
curb ramps, driveway tie-ins, earthwork and drainage, and erosion prevention/sediment control 
measures. The total probable construction cost is estimated at $370,722, based on TDOT 2024 
average unit pricing and includes a 20% contingency. However, it is critical to note that this 
estimate excludes costs for surveys, right -of-way (ROW) acquisition, engineering design, or 
utility relocation. When accounting for these omitted services and unknowns, the total estimated 
project cost is projected closer to $500,000 
 
The project area falls within the City’s 2023 Athens Bike & Pedestrian Master Plan, which 
identifies it as part of a broader network of pedestrian improvement priorities. A project map is 
included (page 4 of the document), showing the proposed sidewalk ali
gnment through a 
residential area with several intersecting neighborhood streets. 
 
At this time, the project has not been funded or scheduled, and there is no allocation for this 
work in the FY 2025–
26 budget. Future phases would require funding for design, ROW 
coordination, and construction oversight. 
 
Following discussion during the July 7, 2025 work session, the consensus was to place this item on the 
July 15, 2025 regular session agenda under New Business for further discussion.  
 
Action to Consider 
Motion, second, and majority vote are needed to authorize staff to prepare and distribute a written 
survey to all impacted and legal property owners along Hammerhill Road to determine if they 
are willing to donate/sell their needed propert y for right of way for a new sidewalk. If 100% 
agree, the sidewalk project moves forward. 
 
Affected Departments 
Public Works 
 
89