The sidewalk construction project consists of installing a new sidewalk on the northern side of Loma Alta Avenue heading toward Spreckles Avenue and one on the southern side of Loma Alta to close a gap in the existing sidewalk as the street merges with and becomes Cypress Way.

"All in all, it has been a collaborative effort, even though it has taken a lot of time," town engineer Kevin Rohani said about discussions between the town, EMQ and residents.

Work on bringing new sidewalks to the neighborhood began earlier this year when EMQ first eliminated a 50-year-old pathway on its property that was no longer compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"It was in such a state of disrepair that our insurance company was pushing us to take it out," said Kristine Austin, a spokeswoman for EMQ. "There was real concern that people were going to injure themselves."

It was only after the pathway was eliminated that the children's services agency realized how many people walked the streets in that neighborhood and began looking at putting in new sidewalks, Austin said.

While EMQ will help pay for the new project, the sidewalks won't be installed along EMQ's property because the topography on its land is not conducive to an adequate sidewalk, said Roberto Favela, division director in charge of facilities.

Plans for the sidewalks and crosswalks have yet to be finalized, but discussion that's gone on so far between EMQ, neighbors and the town has resulted in "a nice resolution for people," Favela said.

During the most recent meeting, residents asked the town to paint the speed limit on the street, despite Parks and Public Works Director John Curtis' mention that paint fades, whereas posted speed-limit signs last longer.

"I'd rather have paint on the pavement than a sign outside my house," said Vista Del Monte resident Barbara Sowatsky.

Residents also asked that the town install additional streetlights in the neighborhood and that it either provide a raised crosswalk—which looks much like a speed hump—near the intersection of Loma Alta, Spreckles Avenue and Cypress Way or paint yellow stripes on the ground that make the crosswalk appear raised in order to slow traffic.

Main streets, such as Loma Alta, typically do not have raised crosswalks, however, Rohani said.

"The fire department needs to get through. When they have to go over a bunch of speed humps, it will slow down the response time. We don't feel a raised sidewalk is appropriate," he said.

As part of the project, the town will trim 18 inches off a bamboo hedge that is sticking out from a Loma Alta Avenue property and that currently blocks the view for neighbors attempting to come out of their driveways.

"I applaud the town for doing this," said Loma Alta resident Tony Fiorentino. "My wife has to take her life into her own hands whenever she backs out."