Mt. Lebanon is a proud walking district, but just how walkable is it? In 2013, 65 percent of streets in Mt. Lebanon had sidewalks. More than a decade later, that figure has only increased 3 percent, meaning one third of municipally maintained streets are without sidewalks.

The municipality adopted a revised sidewalk expansion policy in 2023 with the goal of increasing walkability and safety by making it easier and cheaper for residents to install sidewalks. In May, the Commission approved Woodland Drive as the first project from the 2023 list.

Construction in front of 29 homes between Terrace and MacArthur drives began in mid-June and is projected to end in the fall. The new infrastructure is built beside the existing curb, minimizing intrusion into residents’ yards.

In 2023, residents of Woodland Drive pushed for sidewalks in public meetings and petitioned with their neighbors, resulting in a Gateway Engineering street analysis and proposal. The Commission agreed to the project and budgeted for it in 2024.

“Woodland Drive made a lot of sense, because it connects right up to Vermont, where Foster Elementary is. It is a main collector street for kids trying to get to school,” said Assistant Manager and Municipal Planner Ian McMeans.

Some residents drove their kids to school instead of letting them walk on Woodland, which created a traffic flow problem.

The municipality sent cost-sharing notification letters to residents, then had a neighborhood meeting in July 2024.

The cost sharing agreement is roughly a 90/10 split, with the municipality paying 90 percent of the cost. Residents are responsible for the remaining cost, and removal of obstacles such as sprinkler systems or landscaping.

Residents may pay their shares in three-year installments, and they may raise funds through bake sales, donations or any other tool the residents choose.

All households agreed to cost sharing. The average cost to Woodland Drive residents was $1,200, with a total project cost just shy of $500,000.

McMeans updated the 2013 sidewalk expansion policy based on feedback from residents in 2023.

In a 2023 survey, part of the Comprehensive Plan, residents responded with what they like most and what they would like to see improve in Mt. Lebanon. Walkability was one of the top responses in both categories. Additionally, 90 percent of respondents walk in their neighborhood, demonstrating an exceptionally active resident population in Mt. Lebanon.

“People love the walkability of our community, and it is something we are known for, but they also want to see walkability improve,” said McMeans.

Sidewalks also aid resident interactions. “When you get out and walk on the sidewalk, you might see your neighbors that are sitting on the porch or doing yardwork and start talking to them,” McMeans added.

Expansion projects are expected to grow far beyond just Woodland Drive. In January, the Commission discussed areas to tackle next, landing on Greenhurst and
Lakemont drives.

“Greenhurst was the Commission’s top priority because that had more of a direct connection from Bower Hill Road, down to the main park and the high school, and then Lakemont after that, for connectivity purposes,” said McMeans.

McMeans is also considering taking on projects that would fill the gaps in preexisting sidewalk networks. Sleepy Hollow Road, for example, has partial sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to alternate walking on and off the road.

“Sidewalks make the neighborhoods safer for everyone because it gives a designated space for pedestrians to be, makes traversing our community easier and connects people to the destinations where they want to go.”

Many neighborhoods are interested in undergoing sidewalk projects. Property owners may install sidewalks on their own, but, as McMeans explained, “It is better to do it as a whole project to get a more consistent look and feel across the whole street. Plus doing it through the sidewalk policy allows people to piggyback on the municipal contract and spend a lot less money than it would cost to install it themselves.”

Residents on parts of Kelso Road, Country Club Drive and Salem Drive are currently working their way through that process.

If you want to request a sidewalk on your street, look to Woodland Drive as the example. Gather at least 25 percent of residents’ signatures on a petition, present it to the Mobility Board, wait for a Gateway Engineering analysis and see if your street makes it on the priority list before the Commission. Get more information at mtlebanon.org/sidewalks.