By the time spring arrives, residents of Mullikin and Cox roads might have new sidewalks for their pedestrian activities.

Columbia County commissioners likely will accept bids today for the construction of sidewalks on both roads.

Construction Preferred Inc. turned in the low bid of $109,000 to build the sidewalk and commissioners are scheduled to accept that bid during a 2 p.m. meeting.

They also likely will accept a $94,000 bid by Beams Contracting to construct a sidewalk on Cox Road, said county Construction and Maintenance Division Director Scott Herring.

The cost for the Mullikin Road project is substantially less than the $575,000 estimate Mr. Herring gave to commissioners in August.

"We were able to whittle it down," he said. "We got a good bid. Plus, we were able to do a lot of the grading work with the county's Roads and Bridges crew, as opposed to doing that as part of the project."

By using the Roads and Bridges Department, Mr. Herring said the county saves about $25,000 on the Cox Road sidewalk and about $100,000 on Mullikin Road.

The July death of kindergarten teacher Christian Giles, who was struck by a Ford Expedition while walking along the edge of Mullikin Road, spurred county officials to start plans for sidewalks on the road.

The sidewalk will be paid with commissioner discretionary funds from the 2001-05 1-cent sales tax.

Funds from a general obligation bond will cover the cost of the Cox Road sidewalk, which extends 2,400 feet from the intersection at Belair Road to Byrd Road on the Evans High School side of the street, Mr. Herring said.

Evans High Principal Don Brigdon said he supports the project.

"A large number of students walk down toward (the Circle K store at the corner of Belair and Cox roads) and an apartment complex behind it," he said. "As it is now, those students have to walk along the side of the road and then cross the street."

Also, Mr. Brigdon said he worries for younger pupils who walk along Cox Road on their way to Evans Middle on Hereford Farm Road or Bel Air Elementary on Belair Road.

County officials intend to add to the Cox Road sidewalk from Byrd Road to Hereford Farm Road later, Mr. Herring said.

The sidewalk on Mullikin Road will extend 5,800 feet from Furys Ferry Road to Hunter's Cove.

Once construction starts, sometime before this year's end, Mr. Herring said it will take about 75 days to complete the sidewalk on Cox Road and about 100 days to finish building on Mullikin Road.

Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.