Manlius sidewalk project brings $1.1 million investment for safer student routes
A $1.1 million state investment will add new sidewalks along Enders Road in Manlius, improving safety for CNY students and families. The project connects Eagle Hill Middle and Enders Road Elementary schools, with accessibility upgrades for all residents.
Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez of the New York State Department of Transportation stood with local officials on Enders Road Wednesday, outlining the $1.1 million sidewalk project that will connect Eagle Hill Middle School and Enders Road Elementary School. The project, funded by the state, aims to make daily commutes safer for hundreds of students and families in Manlius, according to Spectrum News CNY.
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Dominguez emphasized that the new sidewalks will meet federal accessibility standards. This means curb ramps at intersections, tactile warning strips for visually impaired pedestrians, and a continuous, even surface along the stretch of Enders Road. She said the upgrades will help not just students, but anyone using a wheelchair, pushing a stroller, or walking with a cane.
By The Numbers
- $1.1 million: State investment for new sidewalks along Enders Road in Manlius, per Spectrum News CNY
- 2 schools: Eagle Hill Middle School and Enders Road Elementary School connected by the project, per Spectrum News CNY
- 1 state agency: New York State Department of Transportation leading the project, per Spectrum News CNY
What’s new for Manlius residents
The sidewalk project will run along Enders Road, a busy two-lane street that sees heavy traffic during school drop-off and pick-up times. Commissioner Dominguez said the new sidewalks will encourage more students to walk or bike between Eagle Hill and Enders Road schools, and will also connect down to Fayetteville-Manlius High School. This creates a continuous pedestrian route for families living in neighborhoods off Enders Road, including those near Hoag Lane and Woodchuck Hill Road.
For parents who have relied on driving their kids to school, the new sidewalks could mean fewer cars clogging up the entrances to both schools. The project is expected to reduce congestion on Enders Road, especially during the morning rush when buses and cars line up outside the schools. Dominguez said the goal is to make walking to school a realistic option for more families, cutting down on traffic and making the street safer for everyone.
Residents who use mobility aids or push strollers will see a big improvement. The sidewalks will be at least five feet wide, with curb ramps at every intersection and crosswalk. This meets federal ADA standards and makes it easier for people with disabilities, older adults, and parents with young children to get around safely. The project also includes new signage and pavement markings to alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians, especially near school entrances.
Manlius has seen steady growth in family housing over the past decade, with new developments popping up off Enders Road and in nearby neighborhoods. School enrollment in the Fayetteville-Manlius School District has increased, putting more kids on the sidewalks and at bus stops. The new sidewalks are designed to keep up with this growth, providing a safer route for the rising number of students walking to school each day.
For more updates on local school projects and education news, visit our CNY education page.
Why this matters for Central New York
Manlius sits just east of Syracuse, bordered by DeWitt and Fayetteville, and is home to some of Central New York’s busiest school corridors. Enders Road serves as a main connector for families traveling between neighborhoods and schools, especially during the morning and afternoon rush. The road runs from Route 92 near the village of Manlius up toward the high school campus, passing through residential areas where many students live.
With the new sidewalks, parents and students can expect safer crossings at intersections like Hoag Lane and Woodchuck Hill Road. The project will add marked crosswalks and curb ramps, making it easier for kids to get to school without having to walk in the street or cut through muddy grass. The investment also reflects a growing trend in Central New York towns to prioritize pedestrian safety and accessibility, especially near schools and community centers.
According to Spectrum News CNY, the sidewalk project is part of a statewide push to improve walkability and encourage healthy habits among students. In Manlius, the new sidewalks will make it easier for families to walk or bike to school, especially during the fall when the trees along Enders Road turn bright red and orange. The project is scheduled to break ground later this fall, with construction expected to last through the school year.
Central New York towns like Manlius have seen a rise in pedestrian safety projects over the past few years. The New York State Department of Transportation has funded similar sidewalk upgrades in places like Liverpool and Camillus, focusing on routes near schools and parks. These projects aim to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities, which have been a concern in suburban towns where traffic speeds can be high and sidewalks are often missing or in poor condition.
Community response and future outlook
At the press event in Manlius, state and local officials discussed the importance of safe routes for students. The project has drawn support from the Fayetteville-Manlius School District, which has worked with the state to identify problem areas along Enders Road. The district has seen more families choosing to walk or bike to school, especially as new housing developments bring more students into the district.
The sidewalk project is focused on Enders Road for now, but Commissioner Dominguez said it could serve as a model for other towns in Onondaga County looking to improve pedestrian infrastructure near schools. Town officials in places like DeWitt and Cicero have expressed interest in similar projects, especially as school enrollment grows and traffic congestion increases near school campuses.
For families in the Fayetteville-Manlius School District, the sidewalk project comes as welcome news. The district has added new bus routes and crossing guards over the past few years to keep up with enrollment, but many parents have pushed for better sidewalks and safer crossings. The new sidewalks will also benefit residents who use Enders Road for recreation, walking pets, or accessing nearby parks and community spaces like Green Lakes State Park, which is just a short drive up Route 290.
For more on local business openings, development, and infrastructure projects, check our Syracuse business coverage.
Related developments in Central New York
While Manlius focuses on safer school routes, other parts of Central New York are seeing their own infrastructure and development stories. In Cicero, land is being cleared in front of the Walmart on Brewerton Road for a new project, as reported by LocalSYR. The site, just north of the Route 31 intersection, has attracted attention from shoppers and commuters who pass by daily.
Meanwhile, Cayuga County is considering an easement agreement for the Agricola wind energy project, according to The Citizen (Auburn). The project could bring renewable energy to rural parts of the county, adding to the list of infrastructure changes happening across Central New York.
These projects reflect a broader trend of investment and change across Central New York towns, from new sidewalks in Manlius to renewable energy in Cayuga County. For more on community happenings and events, visit our community events page.
Where to check for updates
For the latest information on the Enders Road sidewalk project and other transportation improvements in Manlius, visit the New York State Department of Transportation website or the Fayetteville-Manlius School District site for official updates.
📷 Wikimedia / Wikipedia , Manlius, New York , CC BY-SA 4.0 / Public Domain (verify per file)
Sources
- Spectrum News CNY, state invests $1.1M in safer walking route for Manlius students
- LocalSYR, what’s being built in front of the Cicero Walmart
- The Citizen (Auburn), Cayuga County considering easement agreement for Agricola wind energy project
