It is the objective of this Petition to support the Town’s grant application for the construction of pedestrian improvements along Chango Drive in the Town of Malta. 

The Chango Drive Pedestrian Improvement Project proposes to: 

• Construct approximately 1,900 linear feet of a 5 foot pedestrian pathway along the westerly side of Chango Drive from Raylinski Road to Wandering Stream Road.
• Construct approximately 300 linear feet sidewalk spur from Cass Court to the Chango Elementary School on the east side of Chango Drive.
• Place pedestrian crosswalk pavement markings and pedestrian/bicycle signs along Chango Drive.
• Install benches and streetscape trees along the pathway in accordance with AASHTO standards of a pedestrian’s travel distance. Pedestrian amenities such as seating and shade are important in providing a comfortable walking experience. 

With the construction of the pedestrian pathway, the existing shoulder along Chango Drive could then be used exclusively by bicyclists. 

The proposed pedestrian path will provide enhanced connectivity from the residential housing and the approximate 1,000 unit apartment complex adjacent to Chango Drive to the Round Lake Road Corridor and the revitalized Malta Mall which is home of a new Hannaford Supermarket, the centralized post office box location for the Northway Eleven Apartments and a CDTA park and ride lot. The proposed project will piggyback on the Round Lake Road Traffic and Mobility Improvements which has a Safe Routes to School component along Round Lake Road and provide an enhanced pedestrian route along Chango Drive which builds on the national policy. There is a considerable population base that would benefit from pedestrian improvements along routes that now are used primarily by vehicles. 

The undersigned are residents of the Town of Malta in the immediate vicinity to the proposed project and we strongly support this capital project.