College Street sidewalk project out for bids

By Randy Bell

Photos from early 2025 show the areas that have been approved for a sidewalk build along the south side of College Street from Mt. Salus Drive to where the existing sidewalk ends just east of the Mississippi College Arts Complex.

Taking a stroll along East College Street in Clinton should soon be safer and easier.  The Board of Aldermen voted May 5 to advertise for bids to construct a new sidewalk from the eastern edge of the Mississippi College campus to near Fairmont Street.

“This is the project that was awarded last year by the Mississippi Transportation Commission,” says Consulting City Engineer Bill Owen.

The City was expected to contribute a twenty per cent match to receive a $426,000 Transportation Alternatives Program grant to build the new walkway stretching to the east for about 2,000 feet from where the existing sidewalk ends near the M-C Arts Complex.  From the point at which the new sidewalk stops, it’s a short distance to one of the paved shoulders along Clinton Boulevard which are designed for walking and biking.

Even after a contractor is selected in June, Owen says work won’t be getting underway immediately.

“We’ll go through probably two months of approvals and things of that nature.   I wouldn’t expect to start construction until probably August or September at the earliest.”

The new sidewalk will help connect the Olde Towne and Boulevard Main Street Districts.