BANGOR — A pedestrian project in Bangor is slated to wrap up this fall.

The city’s new bicycle and walking path along the 14th Street Extension is meant to provide a safer and more efficient connection between Ohio Street and downtown, as well as the Kenduskeag Stream Trail.

According to Bangor’s Director of Engineering Jeff Davis, residents have been asking for a project like this for years, and planning first began around 2021.

“A few years ago, we worked with the MDOT and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine to hold public forums in the community to see what residents voice their concerns on,” said Davis. “Pedestrian safety, bicycle safety and what they’d like to see done, and the 14th Street Extension bike path and walkway was a big talking point.”

Davis said residents can expect to see two new bike lanes, a pedestrian walkway and a new crosswalk along 14th Street.

“When you provide a dedicated bikeway, or a dedicated pathway with a dedicated crossing, and have advanced warning signs and can tighten up the radiuses and stuff to force the cars to slow down and see the bicycle users and pedestrians, it’s a win for everybody,” said Davis.

According to Davis, construction is expected to wrap up this fall, likely by November.

“We fully expect to have it all paved, curbed, and all striped for this year,” said Davis.

Davis said C & C Lynch was awarded the contract, and they began construction earlier this year.

Davis said federal and state funding covered around 80% of the project’s $463,000 cost, with the remaining 20% covered by city funds.

“We’re always looking to improve pedestrian and vehicle safety and reduce conflicts,” said Davis. “If there are conflicts, we look at ways to help reduce traffic accidents. That includes when you have multiple conflicts of pedestrians crossing, bicycles [and] vehicles.”