Work to add a sidewalk along the Alabama 22 truck route in Maplesville will start July 11.

Town leaders as well as the project’s engineer, contractor and officials from the Alabama Department of Transportation gathered Wednesday morning to sign the contract and discuss plans.

Work on the project will begin Monday, July 8 and must be completed by Oct. 8, which is 90 days.

Powe General Contractors of Hanceville will install the sidewalks and street lamps along Alabama 22, which is also Railroad Street. The company has done similar work in several Alabama cities and towns, including Cullman and Hartselle.

The sidewalk will run along the side of the road that borders Town Hall, continuing to the Maplesville Post Office.

The total bid for the project was $93,470, which is about half of what the town expected the sidewalks to cost when Maplesville was awarded the state grant in 2007.

Maplesville must put up about $18,600 for its 20-percent match required by the grant.

As recently as last month, town leaders thought the town’s share of the project would be higher. When the grant was first awarded, the state projected it would cost $181,000, meaning the town’s contribution would have been more than $36,000.

“Everyone on the council was pleased (to hear the lower bid),” said Mayor Aubrey Latham, adding the project will beautify the downtown area and improve water drainage issues.

Latham, town clerk Sheila Haigler, contractor Randy Powe, engineer John Stephens, and Robert Hoggle from ALDOT attended Wednesday’s meeting at the town library. Tom Cuthbert, who owns the Suds R-Us along the route, also attended the meeting.

Haigler said it was important to make sure that businesses along the route, which includes the Suds R-Us, Shirley’s Beauty Shop and L&M Auctions and Appraisals, aren’t negatively affected by the work.

“We need to make sure (they can still do business),” Haigler said.

The businesses either have multiple entrances or hours that won’t be affected by the construction (like the auction house), according to those at Wednesday’s meeting.