Town to fix bump out, other issues at Maple, Trade

TRYON — Tryon’s new sidewalk project is moving right along, with four sections of sidewalk laid in one day last week.

Tryon commissioners decided last week to include improvements to the current bump out at Maple and Trade streets, and to make it where pedestrians pushing strollers or in wheelchairs no longer have to go into Trade Street to traverse the area.

“The project is actually going very smooth,” said Town Manager Zach Ollis, regarding the new sidewalk.

He said the town received a proposal in January regarding the issues in front of Owen’s Pharmacy, including the bump out.

The town has received complaints regarding the new bump out, installed last year, where cars frequently hit the pavement because it sticks out too much.

Ollis said he would speak with Trace & Company, the contractor installing the new sidewalk, which did the work on the bump out, about making corrections there after the sidewalk is complete.

Commissioners unanimously approved making improvements there.

Ollis said Monday that hopefully Trace can remove what people call the “pork chop” in the bump out.

“We are going to fix the bump out, so cars can turn more safely,” Ollis said.

He also said, whether the stairs at Maple Street need to be taken out or not, the town is going to do something to ensure people pushing strollers and in wheelchairs can traverse the area more safely than having to go into the street.

Following the streetscape project of the new sidewalk from St. Luke’s Plaza to Palmer Street, and now the corrections to the bump out area, the North Carolina Department of Transportation plans to repave from U.S. 176 through downtown to the state line.

Ollis said an exact date of when Trace & Company will complete the work is currently unknown.