News 12 at 11 o'clock, October 7, 2008

EVANS, Ga.---With the cheaper bid today, the project is official and folks on Mullikin Road are one step closer to getting the sidewalks they asked for after a tragedy.

The project started in July after 23 year old Christian Giles, a kindergarten teacher, was struck and killed. She was with her husband walking their dog along the side of the road. Neighbors rallied after the accident and took action.

Its a winding neighborhood road and many parents use it to walk their children to and from River Ridge Elementary School.

The money for the sidewalks is coming from transportation funds left over from SPLOST money. The county originally set aside $250,000 for the construction, but the final bid was only $109,000. That means the extra money can go towards other transportation projects around the county.

Those who walk along Mullikin road think this is definitely a step in the right direction. "It's a great way to spend the money. It should be part of the pre-planning, not an after planning situation. I think sidewalks should be in every neighborhood community, especially when you have a major thoroughfare. It's only the safe way to do it," says Mark Ross.

Mullikin Road isn't the only road getting sidewalks. Today, the county also accepted a $94,000 bid to add sidewalks to Cox Road. Those walkways will be added on the Evans High School side of that road.