Diagonal celebrates new sidewalks

DIAGONAL — A lot of steps were taken in Diagonal so a lot of steps could be taken in Diagonal.

Officials and students from the school, town and Ringgold County took a moment Wednesday to celebrate the blocks of new sidewalk in the small town.

“That is what it is about,” said Diagonal Community Development Corporation Vice President Zach Gunsolley said at the corner of West Third and Madison streets, where new sidewalk was placed. Diagonal students stood along the sidewalk.

Gunsolley explained, in 2019 the corporation recognized the need for students to walk to school in a safer setting.

“Kids were seen on the streets,” he said. As parents and others were driving students to school, the combination of pedestrians and traffic on the streets was causing congestion and creating safety risks. With support from Diagonal City Council, the goal was to have sidewalk improvements, starting around the school. That expanded into making Diagonal a more walkable community including ADA improvements.

The new sidewalk stretches about three-fourths of a mile connecting the school to a park to the town’s business district.

“It’s for kids, joggers, walkers, the Labor Day Celebration,” Gunsolley said noting how much of the town benefits, not just school students.

Diagonal Mayor Les Elliott gave much credit to the corporation for their work.

“It keeps the town safer and a win-win for everybody,” he said.

Gunsolley noted how the Ringgold County Board of Supervisors provided construction and financial assistance holding and acting a a pass through for the various grants that funded the work. No additional tax dollars from Diagonal was used. The entire project, that started back in 2019, has cost about $530,000.

“I hope it doesn’t end with this,” said Diagonal student EJ Allee about the sidewalk.