New sidewalks and bicycle paths are set to grace Pembroke from the City Park and courthouse to the downtown area after a decision at Monday night’s City Council meeting.

The council unanimously approved a contract agreement for the third phase of the Transportation Enhancement Activity with the state Department of Transportation to begin construction of the sidewalks and bike paths. Although approved, it will take some time to complete the project, according to City Clerk Betty Hill.

“We’ve got to get permission to let (the project) out to bid to contractors, so it’s still a work in progress,” Hill said Tuesday.

She added it should be let out to bid by the end of this year.

The Transportation Enhancement Activity phases are funded by a grant from the Department of Transportation for improvements to the downtown area. Hill said this is the third grant Pembroke has received.

Though Pembroke hoped to see yet another phase, she said DOT did not approve a fourth grant for the city.

Read more about the council meeting in the July 13 edition of the News.