The City of Saluda is contracting with Precision Safe Sidewalk, a company who repairs sidewalk hazards and helps towns and cities avoid replacing sidewalks.

Saluda City Council met Oct. 8 and approved a contract for $6,300 for the repairs.

City administrator Erny Williams said the company cited 54 hazards that could be repaired. Williams said the difference in repairing the sidewalk hazards compared to replacing the sidewalks was substantial.

“It was quite a bit in price difference,” Williams said. “We’re saving about $29,000 to do (repairs) instead of replacing sidewalks.”

The Town of Columbus did the same repairs this year with Precision Safe.

Columbus spent $11,132 and repaired 193 hazards, as well as repairs to curbs in the downtown area.

Replacing the sidewalks in Columbus was estimated to cost $41,718.

Saluda plans to take the money out of its fund balance until the city sees how much money is spent on winter cleanup costs.