The long-awaited upgrade of Macarthur Street forms the centrepiece of a seven-stage infrastructure upgrade project utilising the $427,000 handed to council by the Federal Government last month.

Just a few months ago, The Area News reported on the anger felt by residents at having to risk their lives crossing the busy road or at having no choice but to walk in the gutters lest they twist an ankle on the uneven ground beside the street.

However, by September 30 next year, Griffith will have 1500 extra metres of footpaths and cycle ways snaking their way around the city for residents to use.

Peter Katsoolis from Griffith’s Combined Pensioners’ and Superannuants’ Association, who has lobbied council for years on behalf of the elderly residents in Macarthur Street, said he was grateful to hear of the upgrade.

“It’s the longest street in Griffith and also the narrowest, and with the amount of traffic that flows through there now, it has become very, very dangerous for the elderly residents who live in the area,” he said.

Council operations manager Dallas Bibby said without the $427,000 grant they would be lucky to squeeze one of these projects into a budget, let alone all seven.

“This is unprecedented and we’re certainly making the most of the opportunity,” Mr Bibby said.

Griffith mayor Mike Neville said as well as improving the safety of residents in the area, the addition of footpaths would also increase the value of the Macarthur Street properties.

“We are in a pretty difficult financial situation worldwide and Griffith itself must be pretty frugal at the moment, so to have this money to spend on something that will benefit so many residents is a real bonus,” Cr Neville said.

Cr Simon Croce said he thought of Macarthur Street when he heard of the grant. “The feedback I have been getting from residents over many years is that it’s something that had to be done,” Cr Croce said.

Other projects to be completed under the scheme include the installation of footpaths in Wakaden, Yambil and Wyeela streets.