A Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)-funded sidewalk project in Charlotte Court House is progressing, and should be complete by mid-fall.

According to Karen Price, the Charlotte Court House town clerk, the new sidewalks are being installed along both the eastbound and westbound sides of Route 40 from the intersection of Route 47 to Twin Oaks Drive.

The new sidewalks could be completed by October or November.

Driving the project is pedestrian safety, she said.

“Especially since Dollar General was built … there’s been a lot more foot traffic … up and down the highway,” she said. “We always had some (sidewalks), but there was a significant increase when Dollar General opened.”

According to Price, the town had originally applied for a grant from VDOT, which was denied. “It was advised to us that Mayor (Stephen) Walker attend or someone from the town attend a public hearing on the funding that VDOT was using for the grant money, and he attended that public hearing and, as a result, I guess he was able to convince a member or two on the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and so they made an effort. And instead of granting us the money to do it ourselves, they’re doing the project.”

The town is not absorbing any costs in the project, Price said, which she called a “phenomenal gift to the town.”

The project was critical to the town, she said. Price said she’s seen women pushing strollers down the highway to Dollar General.

“It’s been a very welcome and appreciated endeavor from VDOT to the town,” Price said.

She said she’s hopeful that, one day, another sidewalk project will include Evergreen Road. “We’re just hopeful and we will apply for funding if it becomes available again,” Price said.

The project cost is $668,476, according to Price.