Conflicted: Wilcox Sidewalk Project Delayed

KINGSPORT – Due to a conflict between state and federal law, Kingsport has had to reject all bids for the final section of a two-mile long mobility path down Wilcox Drive. City officials hope to resolve the problem later this year and, best case scenario, start work next spring.In the lead up to the construction of the Kingsport Aquatic Center, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen promised a sidewalk would be built down Wilcox Drive, from the Riverview community to the indoor/outdoor swimming facility.Most of the new sidewalk has been built and while a path existed across the sluice and Holston bridges, city officials planned to build something safer across the two bridges – a 7-foot-wide raised sidewalk, allowing for two-way bicycle and pedestrian traffic, and 19 inches added to the parapet wall.This final phase was scheduled to begin in August, but earlier this week the BMA rejected all bids for the work.Michael Thompson, deputy public works director, said the reason why was because of a conflict between state and federal law.