Murphysboro council debates Safe Routes to School plan, flags $143,000 curb estimate

Murphysboro council members pressed staff for more detail on a proposed Safe Routes to School project that the council asked be tied in the record to North 16th Street, and they debated neighborhood impacts after staff provided a ballpark curb‑installation estimate of approximately $143,000.

Why it matters: The corridor choice (east or west side of 16th Street) affects the number of street crossings required, how many homeowners must be negotiated with and how many trees would need removal — decisions that shape project cost, safety and neighborhood acceptance.

A council member summarized field observations and neighborhood feedback, noting that east-side routing would mean fewer homeowners but possibly more complex crossing points on certain blocks; another member urged the council to host an open meeting, potentially at a local church, so residents could ask questions and have concerns addressed in person.

The council also discussed preparing an engineering agreement tied to a motor‑fuel resolution and whether the grant application amount should be set conservatively high so the city would not need to return for more money. Speakers emphasized tree impacts along the route: "We’re going to have to take down [trees] for these sidewalks because we don't want sidewalks that are going to be cracked to pieces in five years," a council member said, and urged pre-meetings to prepare for resident questions.

Next steps: Council tabled a separate curb‑work request for north 24th Street pending identification of grant funding opportunities, and members directed staff to schedule community outreach on the Safe Routes design, provide engineering details and finalize any required agreements.